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On the waters of France, Germany and England, Saint-Barthélemy's sailors did not go unnoticed in July. From the youngest to the most experienced, they all had the wind in their sails. With the added advantage that each performance offers a remarkable window of exposure for the island of Saint-Barthélemy.
Optimist: training courses and competitions in France
"Between training courses, competitions and sometimes rough conditions, the team sailed with heart and determination. "These are the words of sailor Cindy Brin to sum up the hexagonal "tour" of her young apprentice sailors from the Saint-Barth Yacht Club. Three boys took part in the French Minime Championship in Cherbourg: Lourenço Rolo Couto Jorge, who finished 19th, Tao Carmona Bouvrais (21st) and Lewis Maxor (61st). "After eight days of preparation training, our three Minimes took on a technical stretch of water, with lots of current and very varied conditions," comments Cindy Brin, who adds, "Well done to them for their commitment in this tough regatta! "
After a three-day training camp, the three minimes, accompanied by four benjamins and a poussin upgraded to benjamin, took part in the Summer International Cup. Once again, Lourenço Rolo Couto Jorge stood out in the minime category, taking 12th place. Tao Carmona Bouvrais came 22nd, Stanley Haes (benjamin) 41st and Lewis Maxor 61st. In the benjamin category, Léo Favreau took 26th place, Nathanaël Basset 40th, Ethan Blanchet (upgraded poussin) 64th and Axel Vanden Eyden 72nd. Their instructor underlines the fact that the four minimes appear in the gold circle in their category, as do Léo Favreau and Nathanaël Basset in the benjamin category. In the same category, Ethan Blanchet and Axel Vanden Eyden finished in the silver round. "A young, close-knit team with a bright future", says Cindy Brin with satisfaction, noting "clear progress, a wealth of experience and, above all, exemplary motivation". She concludes: "Proud of what everyone has achieved. "
Ilca: Lolie, Lorenzo and Jules at the Europa Cup
While the poussins, benjamins and minimes were sailing Optimists in France, other young people from Saint-Barthélemy were flying the flag for the island and France in an international competition. In this case, the German leg of the Europa Cup, which took place from July 5 to 8 in Rostock-Warnemünde (Germany), on the Baltic Sea.
On Ilca 6, Lolie Osswald finished 47th overall, but 25th in the women's category and 7th in the U19 category. On the men's side, Lorenzo Mayer rediscovered his sensations on Ilca 7 and took a fine 4th place overall. Jules Fortunati also took part, finishing 46th overall and 9th in the U19 category.
Grandmaster Meesemaecker
Although he can no longer let himself be carried away by the innocent vigor of his fifteen years, it was nevertheless with adolescent passion that Benoît Meesemaecker flew the colors of Saint-Barthélemy and the Saint-Barth Yacht Club at the Euromaster Ilca Series international regatta, at the end of June in Carnac (Morbihan, Brittany). Aboard his Ilca 7, the sailor won five of the six races he contested to claim victory in all categories, and thus leave Brittany with the Grand Master trophy. A few days earlier, in mid-June, Benoît Meesemaecker had taken a fine 7th place overall in the European championship on his Ilca 7, also finishing 4th in his age category. The youngsters of the Saint-Barth Yacht Club can only learn from them.
