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The young sailors from the Saint-Barth Yacht Club sailed the Budget Marine Optimist in Saint-Martin over the weekend (November 30 - December 1), leaving nothing but crumbs for their rivals. Whatever the category, it was a Saint-Barth representative who took the top step of the podium. This was no mean feat, as their opponents came from Saint Kitts and Nevis, Curaçao, Antigua, the British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Sint Maarten and, of course, Saint-Martin.
In the junior category, it was Stanley Haes who came out on top. Winning eleven of the fifteen heats contested. "An exceptional performance," commented the Sint Maarten Yacht Club in its report on the event. "I still had to fight a lot against Oscar (Jarrett Versteegden, editor's note) of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, who finished 2nd, and against my buddy Léo Favreau", Stanley summed up on a so-called "social" network. In fact, his "buddy" Léo also had a great competition, taking third place on the podium. Thanks to our coach Cindy Brin for pushing us to the max and making us forget our problems or pains, and for providing us with the little extra techniques that enable us to be first", wrote the young Léo.The young skipper was no doubt not the only one to thank coach Cindy Brin, who for her part is preparing another challenge: competing in the Transac Paprec mixed doubles in April 2025.
Thomas in minime, Ethan in poussin
In the minime category, Saint-Barth Yacht Club slipped two more sailors onto the podium. Thomas Magras had to fight hard against Nathan Sheppard of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club to win. "The two sailors fought fiercely, exchanging the leading positions throughout the competition", notes SMYC. Tao Carmona Bouvrais (SBYC) also had to work hard for third place. In particular, he was threatened by his Saint-Barth comrade, Lourenço Rolo Couto Jorge, who finally finished in a fine 5th place.
Last but not least, another Saint-Barth Yacht Club representative came out on top in the "green fleet". Ethan Blanchet managed to beat twelve other young sailors. "Ethan showed exceptional dedication and determination, winning first place in nine of the fifteen races," sums up the SMYC, which describes the performance as "truly remarkable". All the more remarkable given the challenging racing conditions on Sunday December 1.
Between the mega-yachts, between which it was sometimes necessary to slalom, average winds of ten to twelve knots and a race organization that chose to change the starting method and course. This "upheaval" was clearly no obstacle for the young representatives from Saint-Barthélemy.
