Jan. 19, 2004 – Minor sailing history was made this holiday weekend when the territory's first all-high school regatta took place at the St. Thomas Yacht Club. In all, 22 boats competed on Sunday and Monday in the 420 class Martin Luther King Jr. Regatta, held for eighth-graders and older.
Students from Antilles School on St. Thomas, Coral Bay School on St. John and Country Day School on St. Croix took part in the competition, which was sailed around a windward/leeward course.
Taking first place overall was Antilles School, with Coral Bay finishing second.
STYC regatta director Shep Barrows says high school races are a great way to keep children interested in sailing and honing their skills. "Once they get into high school, many kids fall out of racing," he says, "and this is a great way for them to get back into the sport."
According to Barrows, the King regatta was successful in luring several youngsters back into competitive sailing. Plaques and medals were awarded to the top teams and also for best individual sailor. Taking first prize individually was Tyler Rice of St. Thomas, with Joe Tonachel of St. Croix and Mimi Roller of St. John coming in second and third, respectively.
In a separate part of the regatta for younger sailors on Sunday and Monday, children15 and under raced 18 boats in the Optimist class.
Results — racers
Red, White and Blue Fleets combined
1. Tyler Rice
2. Joe Tonachel
3. Mimi Roller
4. Stefan Hebert
5. Max Nickbarg
6. Billy Gibbons
7. Ian Barrows
8. Morgan Bryan
9. William Bailey
10. Josh Curtis
Blue Fleet
1. Tyler Rice
2. Mimi Roller
3. Max Nickbarg
Red Fleet
1. Joe Tonachel
2. Stefan Hebert
3. Josh Curtis
White Fleet
1. Billy Gibbons
2. Ian Barrows
3. Morgan Bryan
4. William Bailey
Green Fleet (Optimists):
1. Christopher Cilliers
2. Nikki Barnes
3. Alex Coyle
4. Francie Lenahan
5. Alex Tayer
6. Mack Bryan
7. Jacob Curtis
8. Julia Hogroian
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