Young Sailors Shine at 2026 KPMG Winter Youth Championship

Over 40 youth and junior sailors, ages 8–17, from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Long Island, and Harbour Island gathered at the Nassau Yacht Club on January 10–11, 2026, for the annual KPMG Winter Youth Championship. This national regatta, the first of the year in World Sailing–recognized international classes, featured competition in the ILCA, Sunfish, and Optimist fleets. It also served as the final qualifier for Team Bahamas selection to the Optimist North American Championship in Canada this May.

Saturday Highlights

Montagu Bay delivered near‑perfect sailing conditions with steady winds of 10–15 knots. The choppy harbour waters tested the youngest sailors in the Optimist “Green” fleet, but resilience and determination shone through. Four races were completed across all fleets, and early leaders emerged:

• Optimist Championship Fleet: 9‑year‑old Christian Wells impressed with two wins and a second place, though a disqualification in Race 1 left him hoping to drop that score later in the series.

• Optimist Green Fleet: Ralph Dulcio (Uriah McPhee Primary/BNSS) dominated with four straight victories.

• Sunfish Dinghy: BNSS sailor Kai Harvey secured three wins out of four races.

• ILCA 6 (Olympic class for females): 17‑year‑old Eliza Denning (Lyford Cay) swept all four races, chased closely by 15‑year‑old John Alexiou, who finished second in each.

• ILCA 4 Rig: Tight competition unfolded between Chase Thompson and Craig Carey of Grand Bahama Sailing Club.

Sunday Showdown

Conditions shifted dramatically on Sunday, with calmer seas and lighter winds of 5–7 knots. The Optimist fleet completed three more races (seven total), while the ILCA and Sunfish fleets added two races each (six total). With six races completed, sailors were able to drop their worst score — a crucial factor in determining final standings.

The 2026 KPMG Winter Youth Championship not only showcased the talent and determination of young Bahamian sailors but also set the tone for an exciting year ahead in competitive sailing. With spirited performances across all fleets and valuable experience gained in varying conditions, these athletes demonstrated the depth of skill within the local sailing community. As Team Bahamas prepares for the Optimist North American Championship in Canada this May, the regatta stands as a proud reminder of the resilience, sportsmanship, and bright future of youth sailing in The Bahamas. All junior sailors will also be looking to showcase their talents in traditional E class sloops at the Sir Durward Knowles National Championships in February.

The overall winners in each fleet:

Optimist Championship

1. Martin Escruceria (Lyford Cay Sailing) - 16 points

2. Lucas Stokes (BNSS) - 19 points

3. William Allen (Lyford Cay Sailing) - 22 points

Optimist Green

1. Ralph Dulcio (Uriah McPhee/BNSS) - 8 points

2. Asia Bruey (Grand Bahama Sailing Club) - 16 points (tied in points with 3rd place finisher, but 2nd in a tie-breaker)

3. J’Quan Wynter (Uriah McPhee/BNSS) - 16 points 

ILCA 6

1. Eliza Denning (Lyford Cay Sailing) - 5 points

2. John Alexiou (Lyford Cay Sailing) - 11 points

3. Mary Jac Nash (Lyford Cay Sailing) - 14 points

ILCA 4

Chase Thompson (Grand Bahama Sailing Club) was top finisher in the ILCA 4 fleet with 42 points and 8th overall (as there were less than 4 sailors in ILCA 4, the fleets were not scored separately).

Sunfish

1. Kai Harvey (BNSS) - 6 points

2. Ngozi Lockhart-McPhee (BNSS) - 9 points

3. Riley Simmons (Mack Knowles Junior Sailing Club) - 20 points

Thanks are extended by the Organising Committee to event sponsor KPMG, the Nassau Yacht Club for hosting, volunteer race officials without whom the event could not take place, coaches, sailors and parents.