Six St. Croix sailors have been practicing for hours on end while raising funds to compete in the Open World Championship in Porto, Portugal, from Aug. 1-8. They will compete against 200 boats in 29ers with a maximum speed of 16 knots.
A 29er is a two-person skiff where one person trapezes while the skipper hikes from the wing. It is used by youth who may be planning to graduate to the larger Olympic 49.
Through the Youth Sailing Association, the teenage team will compete in 29er sailboats coached by Steve Sargent, YSA executive director and assisted by Tom Ainger and J.J. Klempen.
“Our focus is really on teaching advanced sailing and specifically racing and competitive sailing,” Sargent said.
In May, the team competed in Puerto Rico at the Pan Pepin International Dinghy Regatta. Combined with their scores from the Porto competition, they will try to qualify for the Youth Worlds in December, also in Portugal.
The August competition in Porto, Portugal, is open for participation — the team did not have to qualify to enter, only register. However, their performance there will count toward selection for the December race, where two sailors will be chosen to compete in the Youth Worlds based on their results in both Puerto Rico and Porto.
The 29er team members are between 14 and 17 years old.
The youngest member, Atlas Kaough, is 14 years old. He was born on St. Croix and during his short life, he has lived in four countries, including Mexico and the Middle East. He grew up with a great respect for the sea. He loves the speed of the sailboat and is focused on teamwork and precision, according to his biographical material.
Kai Tanguay is a second-generation Crucian who grew up on St. Croix with the sea as his playground. At 10 years of age, he began dinghy racing, advanced to the 29er and since then has been competing in regattas. Tanguay’s ultimate goal is to race in the Olympics.
To compete in Portugal against a fleet of 200 boats, the team needs to raise approximately $30,000, according to fundraiser Perry Sheraw. The sailboats will be chartered on-site, while sails and team gear will be either transported or rented. Additional costs include chartering a coach boat, securing necessary accessories, and covering room and board for the team.
Sheraw hopes people will choose different levels of sponsorships to help the team reach its goal.
Platinum sponsors include: their logo on gear and banners; recognition on the website and in social media; a personalized thank-you video from the team, a framed photo, and a certificate of appreciation; and an invitation to the send-off event and post-regatta recap. Cost is $5,000.
Gold sponsors include: their logo on team banners, recognition on the website and in social media, and the logo on the team’s rashguard. Cost is $2,500
Sail sponsors include: recognition on the website and in social media, and the logo on the team boat sail. Cost is $3,000
Silver sponsors include: recognition on the website and social media and the logo on the team rashguard. Cost $1,000.
Venmo and PayPal are accepted by YSA. For more information about the race and sponsorships, contact Sheraw at 340-514-4884.
