By Royal BVI Yacht Club
Jerome Parkins finishing third in the Laser Radial Class in the 2017 Pan Pepin Regatta, Puerto Rico. Photo: Provided
Ten Team BVI sailors raced in the 2017 Pan Pepin Regatta hosted by Club Nautico San Juan this past weekend.
Over 90 boats competed in the regatta in the Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, 420, Sunfish, Optimist Green Fleet and Optimist Championship Fleet.
The BVI Team was represented in the Optimist Championship, Optimist Green and Laser Radial fleets and were joined by three additional sailors from the US, St. Croix and Curacao. Darius Berenos from Curacao sailed with Team BVI in the Laser 4.7 class along with Milo Miller and Zach Carvahal competing in the Optimist Championship Fleet from St. Croix and the US respectively.
Winds were medium to heavy with speeds from 13-20 knots and the San Juan harbor was challenging to track the wind shifts but everyone worked hard to master the conditions. Unfortunately for a number of the team, problems with gear failure forced them to sit out some races and count some painful letter scores.
Top BVI Sailors included Kael Chalwell placing sixth in the Optimist Green Fleet, Nathan Haycraft placing fifth in the Optimist Championship Fleet and Jerome Parkins finishing third in the Laser Radial Class.
Darius Berenos finished first in the Laser 4.7 class after a dramatic winner takes all final race in which he beat St. Thomas’ Mateo Di Blasi to win the tie break.
Results
Opti Championships (30)
5. Nathan Haycraft (1st blue fleet)
18. Ryan Lettsome (3rd white fleet)
29. Samuel Allen (7th white fleet)
Opti Green (24)
6. Kael Chalwell
19. Amanda Plaxton
23. Victoria Rowlette
Laser Radial (6)
3. Jerome Parkins
4. Alex Rambarose
5. Stephon Ganga
6. Noah George
Click for full results
