Kempe & Dias Shine as Fitted Dinghy Season Continues
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Race season delivered another day of exhilarating action, with four fiercely contested races in Mangrove Bay, hosted by the Sandys Boat Club. The day's events were marked by strategic skipper changes and impressive displays of local sailing talent.
Challenger II, expertly skippered by Olympic hopeful Sebastian Kempe from the Sandys Boat Club, proved to be the dominant force of the day, clinching victory in two races. Meanwhile, Contest III, primarily helmed by Josh Greenslade out of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, and Victory IV, representing the St. George's Dinghy and Sports Club, also tasted success, with Victory IV securing a win in the day's special Women's race.
The opening race, for the prestigious E.R. Williams Cup, saw Contest III, with Greenslade at the helm, take the honours. Kempe guided Challenger II to a strong second-place finish, followed by Victory IV, skippered by Allan Frith, in third. Michael Wollman, leading Elizabeth II from the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, finished fourth.
The Middleton Shield and Masters Cup races, the second and third of the day, both saw Kempe guide Challenger II to victory, demonstrating his mastery of the demanding Mangrove Bay course and the unique challenges of fitted dinghy racing.
The final race of the day, for the Leatrice Oatley Trophy, was an all-women's affair that provided a thrilling conclusion. Sophia Dias masterfully skippered Victory IV to victory, successfully defending the trophy. Sarah Davis navigated Challenger II to a commendable second-place finish, while Millie Lewis sailed Contest III to third place, highlighting the growing talent in women's fitted dinghy sailing.
The day's results underscore the competitive nature of the Bermuda Fitted Dinghy class, promising more exciting races as the season progresses.
E.R. Williams Cup
1. Contest III 2. Challenger II 3. Victory IV 4. Elizabeth II
Middleton Shield
1. Challenger II 2. Elizabeth II 3. Victory IV 4. Contest III - Sank
Masters Cup
1. Challenger II 2. Elizabeth II 3. Contest III 4. Victory IV - Sank
Women’s Race - Leatrice Oatley Trophy
1. Victory IV - Sophia Dias 2. Challenger II - Sarah Davis 3. Contest III - Millie Lewis
