1996 Sunfish Worlds report
Perfect winds, perfect weather, and perfect island hospitality were the buzz words for this year’s Worlds held October 11-19 in the Dominican Republic. Andres Santana, Sunfish Worlds Chairman, and his countrymen and women played perfect hosts to 113 competitors from 10 countries and their guests. Each day the sailors were wined, dined, and pushed to the limits on the race course. One day was reserved for healing the bruised bodies and egos with bus tours to several island sites or simply relaxing. The combination of serious racing and vacationing in paradise blended to make this a Worlds to remember. As Rich Chapman from Illinois said, “I’m bringing my wife next time. This is as much a family vacation as it is serious racing.”
Getting to the race course was the first challenge. The course was set outside a long, protective reef which ran along the whole shoreline with only one opening, one which was well-marked with official channel buoys. Flukey air along this shoreline dotted with commercial fishing boats, docks, and typical waterside warehouses (which even included an armed guard with a machine gun who smiled and waved each morning as we sailed by) challenged even the best sailors . Trying not to get buried in the third row of 113 starters was the next challenge, and even though we’ve all read numerous articles about how to utilize the typical mid-line sag as an advantage for a clean start, there was still that huge gap with only an occasional brave, lone sailor sighting the line better than the rest. And although the winds were near perfect for all six races — with only one ocean squall coming through one afternoon to thrill those who love heavy air sailing — finding clear air on a course crowded with 113 boats proved to be the biggest challenge of all.
That and riding the swells with the bow flying over the waves, not through them.
During one of the reaches Bishop Steiffel was right behind Stephen Smeulders, a former Worlds champion, with a pack of boats about ten boatlengths back. Stephen’s size wouldn’t allow him to keep speed on the reaches so he was bound and determined to let no one go over him. Bishop tried unsuccessfully several times, and then they both began joking with each other about the pack getting closer. Bishop mentioned that Stephen was like a roadblock forcing Bishop to pass to leeward if he wanted to get by. But Bishop waited too long, and Stephen rounded the leeward mark in front of him with the pack now two boatlengths behind. Advice for the future from Bishop: If someone should run into one of these roadblocks, plan a passing route well in advance or suffer the consequences.
Sebastian Higuera of Colombia suffered only the thrill of victory consequences when he captured one of the two bullets not won by Eduardo Cordero. Cor Van Aanholt of Curacao was the other first place winner. But having witnessed Sebastian crossing the finish line with his arm raised in a joyous victory salute was worth the price of admission. There has to be something very special about hearing the gun instead of a tweet. But I understand that the bang of a gun is not good for the eardrums. Eduardo, did you know this? Eduardo?
Speaking of Eduardo, what a champion. He’s a world class sailor who ranks with the best, and he epitomizes a true champion- friendly and helpful both on and off the water while displaying his sailing prowess with such style and grace. His Mom flew in from Venezuela to cheer him on, and it was easy to see from where he got his good looks. Eduardo roomed with another world class sailor and former Sunfish Worlds champion and all around nice guy, Paul-Jon Patin of course. But thank heavens the black cloud that seems to have followed P-J to the Dominican Republic (lost luggage and sailing gear and lost money) didn’t rub off on Eduardo. I suppose Eduardo’s 32nd place finish could be considered his “black cloud” for the regatta, but jeepers… I guess that’s the difference between a real champion and a regular oT sailor (single digit finishes in a triple digit fleet). Congratulations to this year’s Sunfish Worlds champion and to aU the racers whose sailing prowess and spirit of friendliness keep the Sunfish tradition alive.
Although it took 113 sailors and their accompanying cheerleaders, 113 brand new Sunfish from Sunfish Laser, Inc., a superb race committee, an island full of volunteers, and the traditional Sunfish spirit only a Sunfisher can understand, there are always those dedicated people who deserve a special thank you. To Andres Santana with the help of Hector Duval and an army of hard-working volunteers, civic leaders, and local celebrities… hip, hip hooray! These folks led a cast of thousands (well, it should have taken that many!) which were needed to coordinate everything from lodging to food to racing to money exchanges for pesos to a social calendar that allowed no rest for the weary. When an airline discount didn’t work out the way Andres thought it would, he sent an e-mail notice apologizing for the mistake, “Anyway, I assure you are going to have such a good time here that you will forget that problem in less than one day.” And forget our problems, we did. Andres took excellent care of us all. At this year’s Worlds, good racing, good food, good fun, and the good company of Sunfishers from all over the world spelled p-e-r-f-e-c-t in every language. The photo album that follows tells a better story than words ever could
In addition to the race winners, special trophies were awarded to:
| Youngest sailor | Luis Abreu (DOM) |
| Top Master | Scott Greenbaum (USA) |
| Top Woman | Leslie Kelly (USA) |
| Top Youth | Hector Vidal (VEN) |
| Marco Polo Award | Rob van der Gulik (CUR) |
| Sportmanship Award | Alex Roose (CUR) |
