COLOMBIA—St. Maarten Sailor Frits Bus has completed two of the five days of sailing scheduled at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia.
“It's howling here,” reported Bus. The wind is blowing 25 to 30 knots with higher gusts.”
Bus is competing in the small single person boat, Laser. “It is very difficult, physical and demanding.”
After two days of racing Bus is sitting in the middle of the fleet. “I am happy with my results in these conditions, its building also for the future for St. Maarten to participate.”
St. Maarten athletes will also compete in swimming which starts July 25, cycling and judo. The games run to August 3. “This is historical,” said Aartwichgt Bell, president of the St. Maarten Sport & Olympic Federation (SMSOF).
St. Maarten athletes have competed at previous CAC Games, but they did so under the Netherlands Antilles Flag. After the 10-10 break up St. Maarten was cut off from the Olympic Movement. Bell and the Federation worked tirelessly to get athletes access.
In 2017 St. Maarten became an associate member of the Central American & Caribbean Sports Organization (CACSO) which opened the door to the CAC games. “This is truly a historical accomplishment for St. Maarten,” said Bell.
The CAC games are a stepping stone toward the Pan American Games and Bell's real goal: the Olympics.
