Final Commentary
Vivian K. Dooren, Past Commodore, Publicity
Miguel E. Plaza of Ecuador wins the Lightning World Youth Championship '96.
Miguel with his cousins, Carlos Andres Plaza and Francis Parker Plaza serving as crew, sailed to victory with their impressive skills and tactics. Miguel was a gracious winner, thanking the organizing committee, his crew, parents and friends. Miguel and his crew trained vigorously for this Championship and their hard work and dedication paid off with finishes of 5, 1, 3, 1, 3, 2, for a total of 10 points after his throw out of 5.
In second place, with 17 points representing the United States, was Chad Atkins with crew members Adam Burns and Cap Pin, followed in third place by Canada's Gabe Crowder and crew Adam Dunn and John Vickers with 19 points. Fourth place went to Ecuador's Gaston Vedani and crew members Juan Carlos Vidal and Cristhian Gonzalez. Brazil's team skippered by EdgardoVieytes and crew Mathcus Volkmann Biekarck and Martin Bernd Zacher placed fifth. Ryan Dunn and Jeremy Lynnskippers from the host organization, Metedeconk River Yacht Club followed in seventh and eight respectively.
Christina Chaniotis of Canada and her crew, Chantal Leger and Patrick Leger were selected by their peers for the prestigious Sportsmanship Award. This award was donated by the Township of Brick. Mayor Bill Scarpalli was on hand to greet the sailors and present this award to Christina and her crew.
Serving as judges for this Championship event were Leo Reise of Canada, Antero Puntilla of Finland and Sandy Huntsman of the USA. The judges and repair boat committee were kept busy with protests, redress requests and breakdown repairs both on and off the water. These individuals are to be thanked for the long days they spent assisting with the Regatta.
Each day of racing brought different weather and wind patterns. The bay had light to moderate winds, moderate and steady winds, and heavy air. The weather varied from hot and humid to cold and rainy but the last day was just perfect - not too hot and humid and not too cold and windy! Those sailors who like light air and those who prefer heavy air had conditions they wanted for at least one day of the series.
Seventeen club members served as host families to these young athletes and judges alike. The host families along with visiting parents and other support members all agreed that the young sailors were extremely well behaved, thoughtful and most appreciative. Many lasting friendships were made this week and all those club members who took time off from work to ensure the Championship was successful are to be congratulated for a job well done.
Dave Ruiter , Chairman, did an outstanding job leading his committee and host of volunteers. Certificates of Appreciation from The International Lightning Class Association were presented at the Awards Ceremony, on Friday Sept 13th, to the club members and friends who went above and beyond the call of duty for this event.
The presentation of Awards went as smoothly as the opening ceremonies, when each team hoisted their country's flag to their national anthem. At the closing awards each competitor received a silver plate with the 1996 Lightning World's logo etched on it, a championship shirt and the five top finishers received their trophies as well.
The next Lightning World Youth Championship will be held in Salinas, Ecuador. Miguel Plaza Sr. addressed the attendees at the banquet and invited those youths who will be eligible in 1998 to come to Ecuador to sail in that event. Larry MacDonald of Canada and International Lightning Class Association Representative to the Regatta exhorted the competitors to promote the event and assist younger sailors to compete in this world class event.
Further Information
or