SIMPSON BAY— Robbie Ferron won the Sunfast 20 class in the first day of the Hope Ross Dinghy Series, part of the Grant Thornton Season Championship on Saturday.
Shifting winds made racing in the lagoon a real challenge. A total of 19 competitors in four different classes faced each other in four races.
Ferron placed second in the first race behind Ian Hope Ross who had Ryan Hope Ross and Jolyon Ferron as crew members.
Ferron came back with three first places to win the day. Hope-Ross placed second with one first place finish, two thirds and a second. Han de Bruyn Kops was third in the four boat class.
There were five Optimist competing. Caii Banting dominated the class with four first place finishes. Adriaan Coppelmans was second with two second places, a third and a fourth finish.
There were two new sailors in the Laser Class. Sam Peeks, the sailing instructor at the St. Maarten Yacht Club Sailing School sailed in a laser radial, as well as did Mario Pregliasco. Mario arrived on the island a few months ago for work and is planning on staying for a few years.
Peeks won the laser class, followed by Justin Pieterse, Jordan Pieterse and Frits Bus.
Summer Morton and Sahil Khatnani ruled the three boat RS Quests with four wins. Melina de Vries and Louka Williams placed second.
"We are really proud to see all these kids from the sailing program joining the races. They are making great progress,” said racing coach Saskia Revelman.
The Hope Ross Day 2 will also be the final dinghy race of the season on June 5.
