Perfect winds made for perfect sailing as young sailors sailed for charity.

Lenford Pope and Glenford Gordon helmed their Squibs ‘Hope’ and ‘Charity’ throughout the three days with no external help.  Their crews at all times were fellow young sailors with special needs.

After almost a month in Peebles hospital, Delroy Gordon was discharged by his doctors on Thursday evening, but would still be unable to take part in the sponsored sail. Coming to the rescue, RYA assistant instructors from BVIWSC – Eben Meyers and Jaye Noel, skippered his Squib, Faith, for the duration of the trip.

The young sailors that took part in the three-day adventure, sailing 64.3 miles and finding themselves in bays and on sister islands that they had never seen before, making the challenge all the more rewarding.

Zva Vern Adams, Ali Davis, Akeem David, Chelton Felix, Brandon Foxe and Jamie Murray completed the task put to them while raising money for the two helms to travel and compete in the UK in August.

This regatta will act as an international warm-up to a larger team attending the Special Olympics Summer Games in Greece next year.

Day three of the voyage took in the West End Yacht Club’s annual, ‘Firecracker 500 Race’, a 20-mile, four-hour, gruelling pursuit that illustrated striking focus and physical staying power in Lenford and Glen as they and the third crewmember  (just aboard for the race) – Alison Knights Bramble  – took second place.

Eben Meyers and Danny Petrovic, only 14 and 13-years-old, also raced ‘Faith’ to an impressive fourth place overall.

After crossing the finish line back in Sopers Hole, the remainder of the Sailability BVI crews jumped back aboard the fleet, keen to complete their last leg up the Sir Francis Drake Channel and back into the home waters of the Squibs – Sea Cows Bay.

Thanks must go to volunteers from Special Olympics BVI for essential, land based support namely – John Everitt, Colin Bramble and Lorna Dawson who chauffeured the teams from venue to home each day.

Next up in the Fundraising Drive is the Special Olympics BVI’s Annual Grand Family Fete and Fire Truck Pull at Manuel Reef, Sunday July 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m