The Hoedemaker Series, one of the four series of the Grant Thornton Dinghy Season Championship, continued its journey last Saturday, March 16th with the second race day. The event, organized by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, saw twenty-seven participants from various sailing clubs, including Club de Voile de Friars Bay, St Barth Yacht Club, and the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, gathered to compete for the win in 2 days of racing.
Divided into two fleets, the Optimist fleet and the ILCA fleet, sailors engaged in a total of eight thrilling races spread across two race days. With 4 races in the first day and 4 races on the second day. The weather was very nice, sunny with 14 knots wind with gusts from 18, 19 knots.
Leading the races on the second day was Race Officer Windy Celine. It was his debut as Race Officer. “Normally, I am always there during the dinghy races, but this time it was my first time in the role as race officer. I really enjoyed the day and am ready for the next one.” Said Windy Celine Sailing Instructor of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club.
In the Optimist fleet, fourteen youth sailors showcased their skills, with Thomas Magras emerging first position, closely followed by Tao Carmona Bouvrais and Lourenso Rolo Couto Jorge in third place, all three of them representing the St Barth Yacht Club. These talented sailors showed consistency as they maintained their positions from the first race day to clinch the top three spots.
Meanwhile, in the ILCA fleet, thirteen sailors battled fiercely over the two days, with Emilien Le Normand of Club de Voile de Friars Bay securing the first place. Alain Pansiot-Villon demonstrated a remarkable performance, climbing to second place, while Pascal Belle ended up in third place.
A big thank you to all the volunteers and to Budget Marine for letting us use Jukkels Sukkels as Race Committee Boat.
For detailed results of Hoedemaker Day 2 please visit the Sint Maarten Yacht Club website.
Mark your calendars for the last series of the Grant Thornton Championship: Hope Ross Series. The first race date on April 13th and the second race day on May 4th.