Antigua Optimist Sailing - 2024 NAM Championships

Nkems Ukachuku is organizing this fundraiser.

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My name is Nkems. We, the parents, are fundraising for the Antigua Optimist Sailing team, which has been selected to represent Antigua at this year's North American championships(NAMS) in Puerto Rico in July.

This is an amazing opportunity for this team of youth sailors who have achieved these highly coveted spots by working hard at their training and competing in qualifying events. All are active members of the Antigua Yacht Club youth sailing program.

They will continue to work hard from now until the event, but they need your support.

The total costs for the team to participate including entry, flights, accommodation, equipment, food and transport is GBP 20,000.

Even with the contribution of parents, relatives and friends, sponsorship and donations are essential to reach this financial goal.

Last year we witnessed an amazing year for youth sailing in Antigua.

The youth sailing team took part in the 2023 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Under adult supervision (for safety) they raced for 3 days and came in overall 3rd in their class. This made them the youngest team to get a podium place in Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.

Then the team took part in Antigua Sailing Week. Sailing on @absoluteproperties_ Blue Peter these awesome young sailors ended up 2nd Overall in their class and winners of the Admiral’s Inn Trophy.

In June 2023 the sailors went to Spain to represent Antigua in the Optimist World Championships.

In July 2023 the sailors sailed on home waters as Antigua hosted the 2023 North American Optimist Championship.

November 2023 saw the talented Youth Crew participate in the annual Jolly Harbour Yacht Club regatta. Sailing again on @absoluteproperties_ Blue Peter they came 1st in their class.

They repeated their win this year in February 2024 coming 1st in their class at the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club Valentine Regatta.

In November 2023, amazing Optimist Sailor Carrick Jones completed a world record 100 nautical miles solo sail in his Optimist Dinghy from Falmouth Harbour, Antigua to St Maarten.

In February 2024, Carrack Jones also became the youngest sailor to take part in the RORC(Royal Ocean Racing Club) Caribbean 600 alongside the oldest sailor Captain Bernie Wong!