8th Belize Sailing Association Youth National Championships

Belize Sailing Association National Championships © BSA

Adya Teck emerges as the National Optimist Champ and Hardwick dominates as The National Laser Champ

The Belize Sailing Association held its 8th Annual National Championship Regatta on September 8-9, 2018. Hosted by the Caye Caulker Community Sailing Club (CCCSC) supported by the Caye Caulker Village Council. Enthusiasts and onlookers were treated to two days of sailing from the Optimist and Laser Class Boats on the beautiful Caribbean Seas due East of the Palapa Gardens.

The winds on both days were a fair 9 knots, veering between 100 and 110 degrees, with a small chop in the sea presenting a fine canvas for the event on the Olympic Trapezoid course. Up for grabs was the National Championship in Optimist and Laser class. Additionally, a year round score of all four of our series ranking regattas for Optimist and Laser was completed providing our annual top sailors for each class of boat.

The Optimist class had 13 sailors competing from Caye Caulker Community Sailing Club (CCCSC), Corozal Bay Sailing Club (CBSC), Placencia Sailing Club (PSC) and Ladyville Sailing Club (LSC) along with their coaches and supporters. After the first day of sailing Peter Joo of PSC was in the lead winning all three races and Adya Teck of (CBSC) was in second finishing her races with three seconds.

However, on the second day girl power showed its force and Adya Teck of (CBSC) won all three races which created a tie between Adya Teck and Peter Joo for first place which was broken in favour of Adya based on her first position in the last race. Thus Adya Teck of Corozal Bay Sailing Club (CBSC)took first place and is our Optimist Champ, Peter Joo of Placencia Sailing Club (PSC) Second and Abner Lopez of PSC third with Glenford Barrera of Caye Caulker Community Sailing Club (CCCSC) fourth. For the series ranking regatta in the Optimist class Peter Joo took first, Adya Teck second and Abner Lopez third and Jamin Alcoser fourth.

In the Laser Championship Regatta Trent Hardwick dominated all six races over the two days of racing. At the end of the weekend Trent Hardwick of (LSC) took first, Devaughn Morrison of (CBSC) took second and Nigel Rosado of (CBSC) took third. In the series ranking regatta in Laser class: Trent Hardwick won first, Devaughn Morrison second, Nigel Rosado third, and Wilson Rivera fourth.

The Association also remembered one of its founding fathers, Mr John Oliver, who passed away earlier in the year. Jon was responsible for the founding of the Belize Sailing Association and gave much of his time as to support the Association and help children have the opportunity to sail. A ceremony was conducted by the Royal British Legion with a recall of John's life followed by the Last Post and the spreading of John's ashes at sea by three of the Laser boats.

The sailing event was a great success and we give special thanks to Caye Caulker Community Sailing Club.

Belize Sailing Association National Championships (L-R) Peter Joo (second), Adya Teck (first), Abner Lopez (third) - photo © BSA