SIMPSON BAY— Team Island Water World on their Melges 24 skippered by Frits Bus took first place in CSA 1 in the first day of racing in the St. Maarten Yacht Club’s (SMYC) 2025-2026 Keelboat Season Championship.
“Light gentle breezes with some gusts and unpredictable windshift was a script for close racing and changing of positions, said Bus.
Sponsored by Grant Thornton, the Keelboat Season Championship, began on Simpson Bay on Sunday, three fleets competing — CSA 1, Diam 24, and Sun Fast 20s.
The first race day of the series took place in ideal weather conditions allowing SMYC race officer Joris Zweers got four races completed under sunny skies and a shifting easterly breeze in the bay.
Taking a top spot was Jolyon Ferron in the Diam 24 and Sam Peeks skippering SMYC’s Sun Fast 20 with fellow sailing instructors Chrisanki Flood an Maarten van Veen.
“This was a great way to kick off the racing season,” Zweers said. “Keeping the course square was a bit of a challenge in the shifting wind, but I’m happy with how it turned out for all the racers. We look forward to having everyone back for Race Day 2.”
Next up on the Keelboat Championship Series calendar is Keelboat Race Day 2 on January 11, 2026.
