Bermuda’s young sailing contingent endured a testing afternoon on Thursday at the 2026 Optimist South American Championship in Punta del Este, Uruguay, navigating light airs, black flags, and protest room drama.
A severe lack of wind across Maldonado Bay forced race officials to postpone proceedings, with the 180-boat fleet held ashore before being sent out late in the day.
Organisers managed to squeeze in just a single contest before the breeze faded once more, taking the championship to four races and activating the crucial single-race discard across the overall standings.
Aaron Riker engineered the standout performance of the afternoon for the island. Shaking off a difficult opening phase, Riker delivered a sharp, tactically sound display in race four to cross the line in 21st place. The strong showing elevated him to 130th overall on 107 net points.
Jesse Savage also produced a disciplined outing, taking 32nd place in the day’s lone race. The result moves Savage onto 70 net points, leaving him 75th overall and maintaining his status as Bermuda’s second-highest-ranked sailor.
National front-runner Heath Meyers faced frustration on the water after being caught out by a black flag penalty in race four, finishing with a 61-point blemish. However, with four races completed, Meyers was able to immediately discard the penalty, holding firm inside the top 50 in 47th overall on 44 net points.
Elaine Jones continued her consistent form in the fleet, posting a 35th-place finish to sit 125th overall on 103 net points. Rex Henagulph crossed in 47th position, moving to 110th overall on 95 net points.
It proved a particularly cruel day for Alfie Jansma. Having climbed into 111th following an eye-catching seventh-place finish on Wednesday, Jansma was hit with a disqualification following a protest in race three. A 57th-place finish in race four followed, leaving the young sailor 172nd overall on 156 net points.
The fleet now turns its attention to the regatta's next phase, with team racing scheduled ahead of the final fleet series deciders in Maldonado Bay.
|
