10 Sailors Competing In BIC World Champs
The 2012 Bermuda O’pen BIC Sailing team sponsored by title sponsor Arch Reinsurance Ltd., with support from the Bermuda Sailing Association began competing at the O’pen BIC World Championship Regatta in Miami Florida.
The event is being hosted by the Miami Yacht Club. Team RHADiCal is coached by RHADC O’pen BIC dinghy coach Memi. The Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club sailors attending the event are Brandon Adams, Marcus Bassett, Lilly Barboza, Mathew De Frias, Peter Dill, Sammy Dill, Aglae Perrin, Charis Todd, Ceci Wollmann and Mikey Wollmann. Also accompanying the team are Team Leaders Calista Todd and Paul Wollmann.
Preliminary results after 4 races have Bermuda shining on the World stage with Dill leading the Under 15 Age Group Category, while Ceci Wollmann is in 4th place overall and top girl. In the Under 13 Age Group Category Mikey Wollmann is in 5th place overall.
Over 150 young sailors from 14 countries are participating in this year’s O’Pen Bic World Cup! And first time ever in the United States! The O’Pen Bic Class Championships have been held for the past five years in locations such as Ascona, Switzerland and Martinique in the Caribbean.
Other countries attending this World Championship include; Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Holland, Denmark, Italy, Germany, New Zealand and the Untied States. Team RHADiCal is made up of a mixture of sailors dedicated purely to the O’pen BIC (a new fleet to Bermuda) and seasoned optimist sailors. The RHADC sailing program encourages our sailors to experience multiple types of boats in our extensive fleet. This ability to offer so many sailing experiences benefits young sailors in our program which is close to being certified as a US Sailing center.
The O’pen BIC was launched in 2006 and is an international ISAF class boat. The O’pen BIC, has a modern and powerful rig, is a fast boat, quick to respond, self-bailing, and is fitted by the top hardware. The O’pen BIC is THE link between the optimist generation and the new generation of sailing dinghies and is the perfect boat to progress into the 29er and Olympic boats the 49er and FX. The O’Pen Bic Racing Dinghy was designed as a way to energize youth sailing programs. The class is only 5 years old – but has captured the heart of young sailors. Using the “bailing is CANCELLED” tag line, the marketing efforts tout the “energized sailing” theme – exciting videos of kids out on the water having fun.
Rear Commodore Neil Redburn commented “Junior sailing is a vital part of the RHADC. We are excited to see so many sailors at Bermuda’s first participation at the O’pen BIC World’s. RHADC provides a fun sailing environment and the ability to represent Bermuda and the club at International events. RHADC plans on sending teams to this year’s Orange Bowl Regatta.”
Go Team RHADiCal!!!
Go Team RHADiCAL you all did so well. Way to go!!!