Boys' Laser start on Day One of the Volvo Youth sailing ISAF World Championship.

The world's top young sailing talent was gathered in Buzios, Brazil for racing at the 39th Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship. Close to 300 of the world's top sailors representing 59 nations were sailing in 7 different classes. Ard en Philipine van Aanholt (AHO) represented the Netherlands Antilles. Other Caribbean sailors present were: Alec Anderson from the British Virgin Island, Mayumi Roller, Max Nickbarg, Tyler Rice and William Gibson from the US Virgin Islands, Raul Rios, Patrick Carolus Fernandez and Antonio Sifre Torren from Puerto Rico.

The Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, open to competitors who do not exceed the age of 18 during the calendar year of the event, represents the undisputed pinnacle of youth sailing. Entry is restricted to one boat per nation, per event, so the sailors have already had to win through their national qualification series to earn their place in Brazil.

The Boys' One Person Dinghy, the Laser Radial event had the huge entry this year, with over 50 nations represented in the fleet. Alec Anderson (18), Ard van Aanholt (15), Max Nickbarg and Patrick Carolus Fernandez started in this event, a much better choice for the boys then last years Laser Standard. In the Girls' Laser Radial event, the winner of the past two editions, Gabrielle King (AUS) made her final Youth Worlds appearance in Arhus last July. Isabella Bertold (CAN), Heidi Tenkanen (FIN) and Elizabeth Yin (SIN) all return to the Youth Worlds this year aiming to build on impressive finishes last time out in Denmark. Mayumi "Mimi" Roller and Philipine van Aanholt, former Optimist opponents at the water but friends on shore both raced in the Laser Radial Class.

Following on from 2008, where the 29er was equipment for the Boys' and Girls' Two Person Dinghy events, in Brazil this year the 420 returns to the Youth Worlds fold. The 2008 Optimist World champion Raul Rios and crew Antonio Sifre Torren and Tyler Rice and Billy Gibbons sailed the boys 420 class.

Racing Day One and Two:
Four races had been completed across all seven events, with a scheduled seven remaining. All competitors had the opportunity to attend the first post-race debrief hosted by ISAF Coach Santiago Lange (ARG). As a double Olympic medallist and veteran of America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race campaigns, the Argentinean is one of the biggest stars of South American sailing, but is looking forward to taking up this new challenge. He reminded everyone in his post-race debriefing, "It's still relatively early on in there regatta. There is still a long, long way to go. Don't worry about the leaderboard, and where the other teams are. For now, just focus on your own racing."

Racing Day Three and Four:
After 30 knot gusts forced the Race Committee to call off all of scheduled races on the third day of racing. After beautiful weather during the lay day it was a total absence of the wind on day four which was the problem. Everyone in Buzios kept their fingers tightly crossed for the rest of the event. But in spite of the lack of racing, it's still became a memorable day. For the second time at the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship competitors ISAF Coach Santi Lange (ARG) joined by none other than Torben Grael (BRA), five-time Olympic medallist and winning skipper of the recent edition of the Volvo Ocean Race (amongst countless other sailing achievements) reviewed some of their highlights from the recent Volvo Ocean Race plus answering questions on their experiences across the VOR, Olympic Games, America's Cups and more.

Final results:
In the Girls' Laser fleet, Singapore's Elizabeth Yin is the new leader, she felt completely at home in the light and shifty winds. Anne-Marie Rindom from Denmark took Silver and Mathilde Kerangat brought home the Bronze for France. Mimi Roller sailed twice in the top ten again and finished at a respectable 14th place overall. Philipine van Aanholt who already has a World title in the Splash class last year ended up at 25. Alec Anderson from the tiny island Tortola showed the world that kids from the Caribbean know how to sail by finishing an impressive seventh at his last Youth Worlds. The boys' Laser event was won by Sam Meech from New Zealand. At his first ISAF Youth Worlds 15 year old Ard van Aanholt from Curasao showed potential and class by scoring a 29th overall among 53 talented young sailors. He was followed very closely by Max Nickbarg of St. John in 30th place. Patrick Carolus Fernandez finished the event in the 45th spot. In the 420 Boys class Tyler Rice and Billy Gibbons scored a 28 overall and Raul Rios and Antonio Sifre Torren from Puerto Rico finished 26th in a fleet of 31 boats.

In the battle for the Volvo Trophy, the prize for top nation was awarded to France, followed by Great Britain and Italy. Next year the prestigious ISAF Youth Worlds will be held in Turkey and provides a new chance for the worlds best youth sailors to show their progress.

© Copyright 2001/2002 caribbeanracing.com

Top of Page

A seriously dry dry-bag. Throw it in and swim ashore with it	Here's an excellent watch - proven as a startline winner in the BVI IC24 fleet.	Another must-have for small boat racing.	Gloves for the weekend warrior.