SIMPSON BAY— Team Island Water World won the inaugural St. Maarten Sailing Federation National Lagoon Championships on Simpson Bay Lagoon Saturday. A total of 13 races were sailed by 13 teams in 7 identical Jeanneau 20’s from Lagoon Sailboat Rental, using a rotation schedule.
The winning team headed by Frits Bus, consisted of highly experienced Huub Lambooy and Bernard Fourie.
Placing second just one point off the lead was the youth team, headed by Alec Scarabelli, and crewed by two young ladies, Johanna Looser and Tara De LaSalle.
Team Budget Marine, headed by Robbie Ferron with Steve Ellsworth and a crew originating from the Kidz At Sea program, Simon Speetjens finished third.
In fourth place was Ian Ryan Hope Ross with round the world sailor Max Loubser and Ziggy Miller.
Kidz At Sea entered three teams. Coaches Garth Steyn, Rien Korteknie and Iain Mobbs showed the local youngsters the challenges that come with sailing in variable conditions in smaller keel boats, providing them with a fantastic learning experience. One of the students, Christy Steyn, helming for the first time, got a couple of good results in throughout the day and received a special award for being the only female helmsman.
