Youth try their hand at World championships

By Dahalia Smith NG Sports Reporter

Sunfish World Championship finalist Donny Martinborough stole the oceanic-show during the weekend sailing to a first-place finish over 17 other skippers who participated in The Nassau Yacht Club's 2004 Bahamas National Sunfish Championships.

Out of the six races, Martinborough placed first in five and third in one sailing in desirable 15-25 knot winds.

Martinborough said he made a few mistakes in the race in which he placed third and never had a chance to recover. Luckily, he was able to drop that race which put him into first position.

Martinborough was particularly well "tuned-in" to sailing his Sunfish as he had recently returned from the Sunfish World Championships which took place in Boston.

Martinbourough was sitting in third position going into the final day but dropped to a seventh place performance out of 100 boats in Boston.

"It's nice to be back sailing at home and the competition was great. I feel very comfortable racing in these waters. It's good for the children to sail against people who have been to the World Championships. It gives them a way to measure the level of their talent," Martinborough said.

Martinborough added that he would like to see the races take place more on the Family Islands, as they will allow the local sailors to improve their Sunfish sailing.

His only threat in the national championships was Jimmie Lowe who placed second even though he did not complete one of the races.

Gavin McKinney was third overall having beaten Robert Dunkley in the last race to break their tie.

Alyson Myers, a young shining star, won the junior division as well as the ladies division.

Novice sailor, Defense Force officer William Charlton, finished in 12th position.

Richard Farrington took the honor of being the oldest sailor at a young age of 50, completing the entire series to finish in fifth position.

Pedro Wassitsch at age seventy was also out on the course the first day giving all the hot-shots a run for their money.

This event brought out some of the sailors that have not been competing in a long while, such as George Damianos who finished eighth, McKinney, Farrington, Pedro Wassitsch, and Peter Wassitsch who finished in tenth position.

One of the sailors, Nioshi Rolle, travelled all the way from Staniel Cay for her 15th place finish.

For next year, the NYC is considering hosting the championships in Rolle's hometown of Staniel Cay, Exuma.