The Antigua Yacht Club (AYC) Junior Sailing Programme delivered one of the most impressive performances in its history at the British Virgin Islands Dinghy Championship, with the Antiguan youth squad securing three gold medals and two silvers across the Optimist, Laser Radial, and ILCA 6 classes.
The regatta, held over three days at Nanny Cay in Tortola, attracted competitors from 11 Caribbean island nations and saw consistently strong breezes that rewarded technical sailors. The AYC squad of eight juniors, aged 12–17, was coached by former national champion Derek Francis.
Standout Performers
Fifteen-year-old Destiny Charles led the Optimist fleet with three race wins and a consistent scoreline across twelve races. In the Laser Radial category, 17-year-old Marcus Thibou produced a dominant performance, winning five of seven races. Coach Francis described the team's performance as "the best junior result Antigua has produced in a regional dinghy championship in a decade."
"These young sailors have been training six mornings a week and their dedication shows," Francis said. "The standard of Caribbean youth sailing is rising, and Antigua needs to be at the top of it."
