Five sailors from the Friar's Bay Sailing Club / SMVT (Association ST Martin Voile pour Tous) took part from Saturday 19 to Tuesday 21 February in the “Schoelcher International Nautical Week” organized in Martinique. A high-level regatta that brought together competitors from all over the Caribbean, from Metropolitan France and even from Canada.
The first races on Saturday were carried out in tough conditions with gusts of 25 to 30 knots and rainy weather, which became increasingly clement over the next three days. In total, 11 heats were contested in each category, heats lasting approximately one hour, which is physically very demanding. A very high level was observed among participants from mainland France.
Thirty-eight riders were entered in the “Optimist” category. Among the "Benjamins", Stanley Haes (despite the fact that he is still the top chick of these 8 years old) finished in a very good 8th place out of 10 in his category, a very promising result in view of his young age and the margin progress for the years to come.
Among the “Minimes”, Corentine Corroy finished in 22nd place, Sarah Michaux ranked 20th (4th in the women's ranking) and Clément Le Normand climbed to a very good 16th place overall despite the less glorious first two days. That said, he was able to move up the rankings after each round and even finish in a good 10th place in the last run.
In LASER (ILCA 4), 30 participants were at the start of each round. Emilien Le Normand will have thrilled his camp during these 4 days of racing!
Indeed, the young Saint-Martin hopeful took the lead in the general classification on the second day and won a total of 4 races out of the 11 contested. The overall victory was recorded for him but a mistake (refusal to starboard for those in the know) on another competitor on the 10th race which he had won will cost him dearly. Indeed, the Jury will disqualify him for this round and Emilien will be demoted to 3rd place in the general classification, just 2 small points from the winner.
This very nice podium in a regatta of this level is also very promising, Emilien racing in Laser only for a year against competitors aged 2 years older. This podium gives him a number of points which should ensure his selection for the French Espoir Championships which will take place in La Rochelle from August 19 to 28.
The Sailing Club of Friar's Bay / SMVT would like to thank RMP Caraïbes and Dream Yacht Charter for their logistical assistance in transporting equipment between the Northern Islands and Martinique as well as the St Barth Yacht Club and its coach Cindy BRIN for the supervision and organization of travel.
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