ORIENT BAY-- Karl James from Antigua won the 28th Open Caribbean Laser Championship on Orient Bay Sunday. Sponsored by Budget Marine James bested a fleet of 14 boats for the win. Benoit Maesemaker of St. Barths was second and followed by Jules Mitchell also of Antigua.
Saturday the winds were, light, around 14 knots. Competition was close. James and Maesemaker, both former winners of the championship were nearly tied on points. Sunday the wind picked up averaging 20 knots with gusts to 23 and James pulled away.
In the Master Class, Jorge Abreu, from the Dominican Republic, just edged out former Master class winner Frits Bus., Olivier Bernaz finished third in the Masters.
Cindy Bishas from St. Barths won the Radial Class. Second place went to Carson Gifford from the St. Maarten Yacht Club.
The St. Maarten Caribbean Laser Championship is one of the oldest one- design regattas in the Caribbean.
The Championships are made possible by sponsors Island Water World, CC1, Presidente Beer, Dasani water, Club Orient and SunSail.