From left to right: T&T sailors Russell Franklin, Daniel Briggs and Derek PoonTip, Governor John P. de Jongh Jr., and Trini sailors Nicholas Knox and Kelly-Ann Arrindell.

Scotiabank Caribbean International Optimist Regatta 2007 was hosted this year on 21st – 24th June 2007 in St Thomas, U.S.V.I. Representing Trinidad and Tobago were a group of five (5) young energetic Optimist sailors. The regatta had a record ninety five (95) junior sailors (age 8-15) representing Germany, Canada, the US mainland (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington), Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, all three US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Barbados, Curacao including Trinidad and Tobago, making this the largest regatta of its kind in the Caribbean.

The Regatta was opened on Thursday 21st June 2007 at a welcome ceremony, amongst those present was The Governor of the U.S Virgin Islands, the Honourable Gov. John P. de Jongh Jr. with the opportunity having presented itself our very own Nicholas Knox grasped the chance and introduced the T&T team to the contingent. A proud moment for the team indeed.

This regatta marked the first international regatta for two of TTYSS sailors, Derek Poontip and Kelly-Ann Arrindell both in the ten (10) and under age category. The advanced junior sailors were subdivided into 3 age groups, namely the Red Fleet (age 13-15), the Blue Fleet (age 11-12), and the White Fleet (age 10 and under). Poontip and Arrindell placed 5th and 6th respectively in their fleet.

In the Blue fleet the competition was fierce with St Thomas’ Ian Barrows (ISV) placed first after a spectacular tacking duel in the last race of the regatta against Christopher Williford (USA), of Ft Lauderdale, Florida, who finished second by a narrow five points after 12 races. Trinidad’s Vessigny Vikings sailor Russell Franklin came 22nd in this fleet.
Puerto Rico dominated the Red fleet with Puerto Rico’s Monllor taking first place, followed by fellow islanders Raul Rios, in second, and Ivan Aponte, in third. Rios is the reigning IODA South American Championships winner and Aponte the IODA North American Championships winner, distinctions that highlight the caliber of sailing talent at this regatta. T&T sailors Nicholas Knox and Daniel Briggs came in 17th and 28th place respectively in this fleet.

From left to right : Kelly-Ann Arrindell, Nicholas Knox, Derek Poontip, Daniel Briggs, Russell Frank