Bahamas Laser Nationals at Nassau Yacht Club
by Thierry S. Huguenin 25 Nov 2010 07:40 GMT
20-21 November 2010
Christopher Sands wins the Bahamas Laser nationals © Robert Dunkley
The current National Junior Champion, 17 year old Christopher Sands, beat his senior rivals on Montagu Bay last weekend to become 2010 National Laser Champion.
Strong wind and big waves created challenging conditions, lots of capsizes and very competitive races. Sands handled the conditions well and won all but one of the races in the seven race championship regatta. The regatta, hosted by the Nassau Yacht Club attracted 20 entries - 11 sailors from Nassau, 8 from Grand Bahama and one from Long Island. Sands representing the Nassau Yacht Club was followed closely by Adam Russell (also NYC) in second and Donico Brown (NYC) in third. Veteran of the field, Donnie Martinborough, was placed 4th after a countback, having tied with Donico on points.
The Awards Ceremony was held at the Nassau Yacht Club on Sunday afternoon when trophies were presented by Commodore Brent Burrows. "Fourteen of the 20 competitors were juniors which is great to see and bodes well for the future of sailing in this Olympic class boat" said Mr Burrows.
Amongst the team from Grand Bahama was Alexander Thompson who is the great grandson of sailing legend Sir Durward Knowles, an Olymipic gold medalist from 1964. Alexander placed 16th so he has a way to go to keep up the family tradition.
In the 4.7. class which operates with a smaller sail and is suited to lighter sailors, Theron Maillis from Long Island was first, Pedro Rahming (Nassau) was second with Thomas Treco (Nassau) third.
Local youngsters dominated the mid-sized sail Radial class which was won by Brent Burrows Junior (NYC). Mishael Taffin (NYC) was second and in third place was Alex Von Albedyhll (Grand Bahama).
Full results are posted here.