On October 25th two young men, Jerdan Anderson and Jorge Oliverez from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye took to the sea in Bacalar Mexico, representing not only San Pedro but the entire country of Belize in an Optimist sailing regatta. This was the first time ever that that sailors from Belize have been invited to attended an International Regatta. 58 sailors from the Quintana Roo, Yucatan area represented Mexico and our two young sailors from San Pedro made a total of 60 competing in this Invitational Regatta. The Federacion Mexicana de Vela and its President Miguel Angel Pani Can hosted the Regatta.
Jerdan and Jorge were two of 25 Optimist sailors racing in the two-?day event along with 35 Laser sailors and wind surfers. The first four races were held on, Saturday, 26 October. Jerdan Anderson took first place in the first three races and finished third in the final race of the day. Jorge Oliverez was fourth in the first race, moved up to second place in the next two races and then finished ahead of his teammate, Jerden, and the rest of the field sailing into first place in the final race of the day. At the end of an exciting day of racing, overall scores had Jerdan in first place with six points with Jorge solidly in second place with a score of nine points.
The final two races took place on Sunday, October27, 2013. Jerdan maintained his lead by finishing 2nd in both races followed by teammate, Jorge, with respectable 4th and 3rd place finishes. Hard work and skillful sailing through all six races put Jerdan Anderson, the low scorer overall in FIRST PLACE for the Regatta, the best of all 25 sailors competing. Jorge Olivarez was not far behind, finishing the regatta in 3rd place overall. In the first ever International Regatta for Belize sailors, these young men brought home to Belize, San Pedro and the San Pedro Junior Sailing Team a gold and bronze medal!
Commodore Graham Verralls, Vice Commodore Jeff Bella, Coach David Verralls and Race Chairperson, Tammy Petersen would like to thank the hosts from Mexico, Delia Rojas, Daniele Gracis and Gustavo Ambriz for their warm hospitality and the invitation to attend this amazing event.
Tammy Peterson stated, “We are very happy with the positive forward movement of the sailing club. We are grateful to have been invited and are thrilled with the accomplishments of our two sailors. We look forward to the opportunity to return the hospitality shown to our sailors when our club hosts the first ever Western Caribbean Regatta on Ambergris Caye in August 2014. We also want to thank Janet Martinez, Secretary of the San Pedro Junior Sailing Club, for taking the time and chaperoning these young men on this event”.
