Nathan Smith Wins In The Caribbean!
on Friday March 6, 2015 11:35AM
Our own Nathan Smith has WON the 2015 Curacao Youth Championship! The regatta was held in Willemstad, Curacao, in the Caribbean Dutch Antilles, from February 15th through the 22nd. The victory qualifies Nathan to represent the Dutch Antilles in the 2015 Opti World Championships in Dziwnow, Poland, on the Baltic Sea!
Nathan grew up and began sailing on the Island of St. Maarten, which is part of the Dutch Antilles. He has competed at the Curacao Youth Championships since the age of 7. Nathan is now 13. The regatta is the qualifier to represent the Dutch Antilles in IODA international regattas. He was 3rd in 2013 and 2nd in 2014, before winning the Curacao Youth Championships this year. He has represented the Dutch Antilles in three IODA World Championships, most recently at the 2014 Worlds in Buenos Aries, Argentina. In 2013 his family moved from St. Maarten, where they operated a sailboat charter company, to Virginia. After learning of FBYC’s junior program from members of the US National Team, his family joined FBYC in 2014 and Nathan joined our Opti program, racing on the Spring/Fall and Summer teams. According to Nathan’s Dad, Dean, “Nathan’s training on the FBYC Race Teams with professional coaches and great team camaraderie gave him the boost he needed to win the CYC this year!” Nathan's little sister, Caroline, also sails with us, and started last year with Opti Kids.
Nathan will be back sailing with FBYC as a member of the 2015 Spring/Fall Opti Race Team and the 2015 Summer Team. Congratulations Nate! We are proud of you!
Go FBYC!
Mark Hayes, Junior Division Commander
Tags: juniorraceteam, junior