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Lettsome falls short @ Hempel World Cup Miami

-comes in 24th overall in 40 boat competition
VI sailing champion, Thad A. Lettsome came in 24th position overall after completing the Hempel World Cup Series event in South Florida, Miami falling short of any top spot wins. Photo: Hempel World Cup Miami
While poor wind speed ended the series ahead of time, a starting penalty on Day 2 further destroyed Lettsome's prospects of victory at the top of the charts. Photo: Hempel World Cup Miami
While poor wind speed ended the series ahead of time, a starting penalty on Day 2 further destroyed Lettsome's prospects of victory at the top of the charts. Photo: Hempel World Cup Miami
MIAMI, Florida – VI sailing champion, Thad A. Lettsome came in 24th position overall after completing the Hempel World Cup Series event in South Florida, Miami falling short of any top spot wins.

While poor wind speed ended the series ahead of time, a starting penalty on Day 2 further destroyed Lettsome's prospects of victory at the top of the charts.

On day one of the competition, Lettsome fired out of the blocks to finish the first race in 11th place in the 40 boat fleet.  The Royal British Virgin Islands Yacht Club stated that this would have been his best position in the eight-race series with a 31st finish in the second race of the day. 

“With heavier winds on day two, Lettsome again started well, made good tactical decisions and finished in 16th position in the first race of the day.  The second race started under the Black Flag and unfortunately, this was to be his discard as he received the BFD starting penalty,” the release noted.

According to game stats, the windiest day of the regatta was day three with winds gusting up to 25 knots.  A tangle with another competitor who capsized on top of Lettsome at the start lead to a less than pleasing 28th but a solid second race of the day added a 22nd to his scoresheet. 

Day 4 Cancelled

The fourth day turned out to be the final day of racing as the wind did not come in the following day and the three scheduled races were cancelled.  Lettsome's last race, after a long wait on the water, would be one of his best with excellent tactical decisions, particularly on the final downwind legs, seeing him finish in 18th. 

With Lettsome's final overall position coming in at 24, its better luck next time for the VI sailor champ who plans to take on the Laser World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, starting Sunday, February 9, 2020.

Competitors at the Hempel World Cup Miami included multiple experienced world cup and world championship competitors as Lettsome continued to show his passion and abilities to challenge the very best in sailing. 

11 Responses to “Lettsome falls short @ Hempel World Cup Miami ”

  • charlie (08/02/2020, 11:33) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep aiming for the best Young Man!
  • Mr 24th (08/02/2020, 11:44) Like (0) Dislike (25) Reply
    He ever come in first in anything?
    • @Mr 24th (08/02/2020, 15:15) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
      Really? That's the best comment you can make? Do you have any idea what it takes to compete internationally in any sport? Why don't you encourage Thad and the many young women and men who work their behinds off to train and represent this little speck, facing off against competitors from countries that provide immense resources and support? To all those who represent the BVI, I say keep doing your best to represent your territory and don't let the idiotic comments get to you. Many of us appreciate what you do.
    • FYI He certainly does (08/02/2020, 16:12) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      To try and clarify you from your ignorance, yes he has, from the age of 10. At age 17, you can catch up on his latest win here by clicking the link below. Thad is now competing with successful Olympic sailors and is now invariably the youngest of the pack and can still hold his own.
      http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/thad-a-lettsome-wins-sailing-championship-in-usa
  • ?? (08/02/2020, 12:02) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    @mr 24th! He actually come first in attitude unlike you who’s a dead beat. We’re proud of him. I rather him be 24 in sailing and not 24 of the weekly police arrest.
  • proud BVIslander.. (08/02/2020, 12:57) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thad...you are our star...keep focusing and you will be on the top again...You have done it before and will be our continuous Star...well done..
  • My girl (08/02/2020, 16:09) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep pushing young man we with you!
  • guy hill (08/02/2020, 21:56) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Always continue to do your very best son. Be brave
  • Keep Going Young Man (09/02/2020, 07:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good, better, best, never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best. Don’t mind the empty vessels, they always make the most noise. You keep focused and know that most of us in the BVI are proud of your efforts!
  • Support our Athletes (12/02/2020, 12:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why do you need to lead with such a negative headline? All of the BVIs young people who compete overseas, in any sport, proudly representing their homeland should be supported. The media have a serious responsibility here to properly understand what they are reporting. As others have noted, Thad is one of the youngest sailors competing at these elite events - the current World and Olympic champions have well over 10 years more experience competing professionally. His result in Miami is impressive, it is an extremely hard competition, he is only just making the transition from youth to senior events and he showed he can mix it up with the best in the world. Every regatta is a learning experience, it's not all about winning. Stop turning a positive into a negative and support our athletes.


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