Sunfish Worlds ends with a wimper

Wrightsville Beach, NC (October 12, 2018) – After the racing for the past two days was cancelled due to storm conditions, the 2018 Sunfish World Championship concluded today where Simon Gomez-Ortiz of Colombia won the 2018 youth title and Jean Paul de Trazegnies of Peru (above) won overall.

The sixth and final race was a race to the finish that started in 10-12 breezes, but, alas, Mother Nature decided to add a light air challenge in the middle that allowed only 24 boats to finish within the required time limit. With no more air in sight after this one race on the last day, the Race Committee hoisted the “Done for the Day” flag.

For this year’s World Championship, everyone started together. Simon Gomez-Ortiz of Colombia, this year’s Sunfish North American Champion and Youth Champion (a Pan-Am Games qualifying event), was the top youth finisher for this World Championship and the 10th top overall finisher.

Darius Berenos of Curacao was the 2nd place youth finisher (11th overall in the championship) followed in 3rd place by Alejandro Mago of Peru who placed 12th overall in the championship. Gustavo Alayon of Puerto Rico was the 4th place youth finisher who placed 14th overall. Ingnacio Antequera-Erro finished 15th overall and was the 5th place youth finisher.

The Top Female youth finisher was Fernanda San Roman of Peru who finished 46th overall and who raced in every race despite the heavy air and high seas on Day’s 1 and 2.

In the championship category, Jean Paul de Trazegnies of Peru was able to use today’s light air 7th place finish as his throw-out and held on to his first place standing at the end of this 6-race World Championship. Not far behind, however, former Sunfish World Champion, Alonso Collantes of Peru, finished this last race with a bullet which moved him up to 2nd place and only 3 points behind Jean Paul.

David Hernandez of Guatemala sailed so well in the first 5 races of this event that he really didn’t need a high standing in today’s light air race to hold a 3rd place final finish in this highly competitive World Championship. Good thing too as he didn’t quite make today’s time limit and was recorded as a TLE which was used as his throw-out.

Martin Alsogaray of Argentina did make today’s time limit with an impressive 3rd place finish which allowed him to hold onto a 4th place final finish at this World Championship in sailing conditions that ranged from “how high did you say the winds were?” to “what happened to the breeze?” And with a 5th place final standing was Jonathan Martinetti of Ecuador whose 2nd place finish in today’s light air race held him in the Top Five final standings.

The Top Female finisher was Caterina Romero of Peru who placed 8th overall. The Top Apprentice Master (40-49) was David Mendelblatt of Florida/USA. The Top Master (50-59) was Paul-Jon Patin of NY/USA who placed 16th overall. And the Top Grand Master (60-69) was Martin Willard of the USA who finished in 27th place overall.

Racing was held October 8-12.

Event details – Results – Facebook

Final Results (Top 10 of 73; 6 races, 1 discard)

Source: Vicki Palmer