The much-anticipated Grant Thornton Dinghy Season Championship kicked off in spectacular fashion on Soons Day 1 at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. Under the guidance of race officer Elja van der Horst and race coach Sam Peeks, the event saw perfect sailing conditions, making for an exciting and action-packed opening day.
“Perfect sailing conditions and thrilling races characterized the opening day of the Soons Series. With a steady breeze and plenty of sunshine, competitors showcased their skills across various fleets, setting the stage for an exciting series ahead,” Elja remarked after a successful day of racing.
A strong turnout of 21 boats competed across three fleets: 8 Lasers, 11 Optimists, and 2 Quests, all vying for top honors in their respective categories. The racing was fierce, with sailors pushing themselves and their boats to the limit.
In the Laser fleet, standout performances were on display as Rio Stomp took the early lead. In the Optimist fleet, Nathan Sheppard emerged as a frontrunner, while in the Optimist Green fleet, Achille made a strong showing. In the Quest fleet, Joris & Louisa vanden Eynde delivered impressive teamwork, leaving spectators eager to see how the competition will evolve over the next race day.
Sam expressed his excitement about the start of the new season:
“It’s fantastic to be back on the water and competing again. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone is amazing, and kicking off the season with Soons Day 1 makes it even more special. I’m looking forward to the races ahead and the challenges they’ll bring.”
One of the races sailed on Soons Day 1 was part of the Bart’s Bash event.
Bart’s Bash is an annual worldwide event (63 Countries, 23,536 Boats and 1,106 Venues) celebrated globally in memory of Andrew “Bart” Simpson, a sailor and Olympic gold medalist. The event aims to raise awareness for sailing and maritime causes, bringing together sailors of all ages and skill levels.
Day 1 of the Soons Series promises more high stakes racing and electrifying action as sailors return for Soons Day 2, scheduled on September 28, where the overall standings could change at any moment.
The Sint Maarten Yacht Club looks forward to continuing the event, which not only highlights the skill and determination of local sailors but also celebrates the spirit of sailing worldwide. For updates and pictures, you can visit the Sint Maarten Yacht Club Website, where the Soons Day 1 results are now available as well.
