Smith Wins Division At Sunfish World Champs
Three time Sunfish World Champion Malcolm Smith battled high winds and big seas to finish 15th at the 2011 Sunfish World Championship sailed off of the Lions Dive Hotel in Curaçao this week. Mr Smith clinched not only the Masters Division [over 40] but also a Pan American Games berth for Bermuda.
The two final spots for the Pan Am Games were up for grabs and Mr Smith was successful in clinching one while Curaçao took the other with a very good 4th place finish. All other countries in the top 15 had already qualified for the Pan Am Games which will be held in Mexico this coming October. 16 year old Bermudian sailor Mackenzie Cooper was also sailing in the regatta but fell victim to the steady 25 knot winds and 3 metre waves, finishing in 59th place out of the 75 boats.
Brazilian sailor Matheus Dellagnelo was crowned the new World Champion before the final race due to his consistenly high placing throughout the 11race regatta which included two “bullets” in his last two races on the final day. One point behind in 2nd was Alexander Zimmerman of Peru followed by Francisco Renna from Argentina who was 8 points back from the leader.
Other prize winners were to top Junior: Ard Van Aanholt (Curacao)(4th), Apprentice: Matheus Dellagnelo (Brazil) (1st) , Apprentice Master: David Mendelblat (USA) (8th), Master: Malcolm Smith (Bermuda)(15th) Grand Master:Richard van der Wal (Aruba)(48th) and Great Grand Master: Dolf van der Giessen (Curacao) (57th).
Photo: Malcolm Smith sailing boat #4133 just ahead of 2009 World Champion
David Loring (USA) in boat #4131
Well done Malcolm