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They came very close to qualifying for the European Championships. Had they secured just four more spots and a few more points, the nine young sailors from the Saint-Barth Yacht Club’s sailing school competing in the Optimist class at the National Spring Cup in Carantec (Brittany, April 11–16) could have made history. “These are still the best results we’ve ever achieved,” says coach and instructor Cindy Brin, who was there alongside her students (along with seven other adults) throughout the competition and the seven-day training camp in France that preceded it.
“This is the first time we’ve had so many Minimes in Division 1,” notes Cindy Brin. The sailor also highlights the challenges her young sailors faced. “After all the regattas I’ve been through, I think this one was the most complicated,” she says. “There were rocks all over the bay, races were canceled due to lack of wind, and the current… The training camp started with very strong currents with a tidal range of 100, which is enormous. The winds gradually died down throughout the week. However, during the regatta, conditions reversed: the currents began to pick up, making the competition even more demanding for our sailors.” That didn’t stop them from shining.
Cindy Brin confirms: “These are good results for this level. We’re well-positioned in the French rankings. The first-year Minimes, if they keep working hard, have the potential to achieve great things.” Such as securing a spot at the European Championship. Nevertheless, for now, the main goal is the French Championship from August 17 to 22. The young sailors will leave at the end of July to prepare, notably by competing in three regattas in Italy. “We need to work on the intensity of the starts and learn to make contact,” insists Cindy Brin. This is essential when 130 Optimists are on the starting line.
On May 2 and 3, the SBYC sailors will compete in the National Sint Maarten Dinghy Championship. They’ll follow that with a training camp in Saint Barth and then the Mini Bucket. No rest for the weary!
Results
• Minimes (Division 1, 170 competitors)
- Lourenço Rolo Couto Jorge: 13th (just 4 places away from qualifying for the European Championship)
- Tao Carmona Bouvrais: 16th
- Léo Favreau: 30th
- Lewis Maxor: 35th
- Stanley Haes: 49th
In Division 2, Nathanaël Basset finished 25th out of 82 competitors and 113th overall.
• Benjamins (81 competitors)
- Ethan Blanchet: 19th
- Axel Vanden Eynde: 35th
Looking for accommodations for the Mini Bucket
The Mini Bucket will take place in Saint-Barthélemy on the weekend of May 16. This competition brings together many young sailors from the island and other locations. We need to find places for these visiting competitors to stay. For this year’s event, the Saint-Barth Yacht Club sailing school is still looking for accommodations for two teams of eight children each—one team with two adults and the other with just one. Anyone able to help can contact the organizers by email (sbyc@stbarthyachtclub.com) or by phone (0590277041).
