CAC Sailors Shine at 2026 ILCA Midwinters East Championships

Central American and Caribbean sailors made a powerful statement at the 2026 ILCA Midwinters East, hosted by the Key Biscayne Yacht Club in Key Biscayne. Representing nations across the region, from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to Bermuda, Mexico, Sint Maarten, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, and Trinidad & Tobago- the CAC contingent brought both depth and front-of-fleet speed to one of the premier winter regattas in North America.

The week tested versatility. Early racing unfolded in frustratingly light and unstable breeze, with glassy patches, dramatic pressure shifts, and long tactical beats that punished impatience. As the regatta progressed, Biscayne Bay gradually delivered more pressure, building into a stronger, steadier breeze on Sunday afternoon. The final races turned physical full hiking conditions, choppy water, and high-speed downwinds rewarding fitness, composure, and clean execution.

Through both extremes, CAC sailors proved they could adapt. From race wins to top finishes, the region demonstrated not just participation, but true competitiveness across fleets.

ILCA 4

Julian Rivera Fernández 🇵🇷 (PUR 204080)

Club: Club Náutico de San Juan, Puerto Rico

Overall Place: **1st Place (Net Score: 12)

Best Race Finish: 1st (achieved in four races)

Sean Pedro 🇧🇲 (BER 195657)

Club: Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC), Bermuda

Overall Place: 19th (Net Score: 85)

Best Race Finish: 11th (in Race 4)

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ILCA 6 & ILCA 7

Photos: Allison Babcock & Neysa Negron

ILCA 6

Fabián Collazo Pérez 🇵🇷 (PUR 213488) 

Club: AVCNSJ, Puerto Rico 

Overall Place: 4th (Net Score: 23) 

Best Race Finish: 2nd (achieved in Races 4 and 5) 

Eliza Denning 🇧🇸 (BAH 194609) 

Club: Lyford Cay Sailing Club, Bahamas 

Overall Place: 9th (Net Score: 35) **TOP FEMALE

Best Race Finish: 3rd (in Race 6) 

Diego Sepulveda 🇵🇷 (PUR 226290) 

Club: FVPR, Puerto Rico 

Overall Place: 10th (Net Score: 38) 

Best Race Finish: 4th (in Race 1) 

Parker Nagle 🇻🇮 (ISV 197114) 

Club: St. Croix Yacht Club, US Virgin Islands 

Overall Place: 29th (Net Score: 77) 

Best Race Finish: 8th (in Race 2) 

Emanuel John Alexiou 🇧🇸 (BAH 226382) 

Club: Lyford Cay Sailing, Bahamas 

Overall Place: 30th (Net Score: 80) 

Best Race Finish: 10th (in Race 1) 

Alvaro Gutierrez 🇵🇷 (PUR 197979) 

Club: FVPR, Puerto Rico 

Overall Place: 32nd (Net Score: 82) 

Best Race Finish: 6th (in Race 2) 

Kyle D'Juran 🇹🇹 (TTO 100011) 

Club: Trinidad and Tobago Sailing Association, Trinidad and Tobago 

Overall Place: 35th (Net Score: 94) 

Best Race Finish: 7th (in Race 3) 

 Marina Escudero 🇵🇷 (PUR 170708) 

Club: FVPR, Puerto Rico 

Overall Place: 38th (Net Score: 100) 

Best Race Finish: 4th (in Race 3) 

Alvaro Ramirez Jassa 🇲🇽 (MEX 200373)

Club: KBYC, Mexico

Overall Place: 48th (Net Score: 122)

Best Race Finish: 11th (in Race 3)

 Armaan Manwatkar 🇧🇸 (BAH 226379) 

Club: Team Bahamas / LCS, Bahamas 

Overall Place: 63rd (Net Score: 126) 

Best Race Finish: 12th (in Race 6) 

Isabella S. Hernández 🇵🇷 (PUR 220502) 

Club: Puerto Rico Federation

Overall Place: 75th (Net Score: 158) 

Best Race Finish: 15th (in Race 6) 

Savannah Stuart 🇧🇧 (BAR 170847) 

Club: Barbados Sailing Association, Barbados 

Overall Place: 80th (Net Score: 169) 

Best Race Finish: 24th (in Race 1) 

Callum Pritchard 🇧🇸 (BAH 226839) 

Club: Team Bahamas/BNSS, Bahamas 

Overall Place: 81st (Net Score: 170) 

Best Race Finish: 33rd (multiple races) 

Kai Marks-Dasent 🇻🇨 (VIN 179836) 

Club: St Vincent Sailing Association, St Vincent and the Grenadines 

Overall Place: 82nd (Net Score: 174) 

Best Race Finish: 18th (in Race 6) 

 Nash Cartwright 🇧🇸 (BAH 223418)

Club: Team Bahamas, Bahamas

Overall Place: 86th (Net Score: 180)

Best Race Finish: 31st (multiple races)

Maximo Ojeda 🇵🇷 (PUR 226287) 

Club: Marlin Sailing School/Federacion de Vela de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico 

Overall Place: 88th (Net Score: 186) 

Best Race Finish: 6th (in Race 6) 

Massimo Lapierre 🇸🇽 (SXM 207232) 

Club: Sint Maarten Yacht Club, Sint Maarten 

Overall Place: 85th (Net Score: 178) 

Best Race Finish: 29th (in Race 6) 

ILCA 7

Luc Chevrier 🇱🇨 (LCA 214113)

Club: SLSA, St. Lucia

Overall Place: 3rd (Net Score: 28)

Best Race Finish: 1st (in Race 7)

Pedro Fernandez 🇵🇷 (PUR 214311) 

Club: CNSJ, Puerto Rico 

Overall Place: 6th (Net Score: 38) 

Best Race Finish: 2nd (in Race 8) 

Paul de Souza 🇧🇸 (BAH 201510) 

Club: NYC, Bahamas 

Overall Place: 17th (Net Score: 124) 

Best Race Finish: 12th (in Race 5) 

Joshua Higgins 🇧🇸 (BAH 213413) 

Club: Harbour Island Sailing Club, Bahamas 

Overall Place: 20th (Net Score: 129) 

Best Race Finish: 11th (in Race 8) 

Norman Cartwright 🇧🇸 (BAH 225146) 

Club: NYC/Team Bahamas, Bahamas 

Overall Place: 21st (Net Score: 138) 

Best Race Finish: 13th (in Race 5) 

Trent Hardwick 🇧🇿 (BIZ 194617) 

Club: Ladyville Sailing Club, Belize 

Overall Place: 25th (Net Score: 160) 

Best Race Finish: 12th (in Race 8) 

Scott Gittens 🇧🇧 (BAR 160107) 

Club: Barbados YC, Barbados 

Overall Place: 28th (Net Score: 187) 

Best Race Finish: 16th (in Race 3) 

Stefan Stüven 🇹🇹 (TTO 203637) 

Club: Sail Better, Trinidad and Tobago 

Overall Place: 30th (Net Score: 188) 

Best Race Finish: 17th (in Race 4) 

Ander Luisa Arroyo 🇲🇽 (MEX 211570)

Club: Carolina Yacht Club / Escuela de Vela Puerto Cancun, Mexico

Overall Place: 37th (Net Score: 231)

Best Race Finish: 28th (in Races 5 and 6)

Daryon David 🇹🇹 (TTO 152510) 

Club: Southern Sailing Academy, Trinidad and Tobago 

Overall Place: 47th (Net Score: 295) 

Best Race Finish: 38th (multiple races) 

The 2026 ILCA Midwinters East showcased exceptional talent and determination from Central American and Caribbean sailors, with multiple top-ten finishes, race-winning performances, and standout moments across the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 fleets. From Puerto Rico’s consistent podium threats to strong showings from the Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Belize, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Sint Maarten, these athletes brought pride to their islands while gaining invaluable international experience. Their results highlight the growing strength and depth of sailing in the CAC region- congratulations to all for representing their countries with skill, resilience, and sportsmanship.

Images Provided by Event Organizers