From the eight local young sailors taking part in the Cruzan Open Regatta in St Croix, four were in the Optimist Championship Fleet (Rayne Duff, Nathan Haycraft, James Rajic-Knight and Maxwell Reshetiloff), 3 in the Optimist Green Fleet for beginners (Ryan Lettsome, Anya Reshetiloff and Nicolas Haycraft), and one Laser Sailor (Thad Lettsome). Photo: Provided

Virgin Islands’ sailors Ryan Lettsome and Rayne Duff were in winners’ row when the Cruzan Open Regatta was held on April 25-26, 2015 in St Croix, US Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided

Lettsome, who was among eight youth sailors from the VI taking part in the event, won in the Optimist Green Fleet for beginners.

From the eight local young sailors, four were in the Optimist Championship Fleet (Rayne Duff, Nathan Haycraft, James Rajic-Knight and Maxwell Reshetiloff), 3 in the Optimist Green Fleet for beginners (Ryan Lettsome, Anya Reshetiloff and Nicolas Haycraft), and one Laser Sailor (Thad Lettsome).

The Friday before the event, a Moorings catamaran, which was generously donated to the sailing team for the weekend by The Moorings, was loaded up with 7 Optimists and 1 Laser sail boat before making its 6 hour journey across to St Croix. Conditions were perfect for the journey with flat seas and great weather making it a comfortable trip across.

The first day of the event started off with the race area set just inside the reef in Teague Bay with light but very shifty winds. The team responded very well and was able to quickly adapt to the conditions which showed with wins in the first race from Rayne Duff (Optimist Championship), Thad Lettsome (Laser) and Ryan Lettsome (Optimist Green).

Duff went on to win overall in the Optimist Championship Fleet, finishing 21 points clear of 2^nd place and also winning Blue Fleet. Nathan Haycraft won White Fleet and finished 6^th overall. James Rajic-Knight finished 11^th and Maxwell Reshetiloff finished close behind in 12^th.

The Optimist Green Fleet was won by Ryan Lettsome who finished comfortably 23 points ahead of second place. Anya Reshetiloff finished in 4^th place with Nicolas Haycraft in 9^th out of 20 boats.

Thad Lettsome finished 2^nd in the Laser class and even though he was sailing with a Radial sail, he only finished 2 points behind 1^st place who was using a Standard Full Rig which is much larger than the Radial.

The VI sailors have expressed gratitude to their many sponsors, including The Moorings for the generous use of a catamaran which was used to transport the boats, competitors and to accommodate them; Nanny Cay for the use of the fuel dock to load their boats; and Nagico Insurances. 

Local sailors now turn their attention to the BVI Dinghy Championships slated for May 16-17, 2015.