BELIZE CITY, Mon. Mar. 31, 2025

There was a stiff but manageable wind averaging 10 knots with clear blue skies. The Buttonwood Bay, sheltered by the Hen and Chicken mangrove cayes, provided perfect conditions with steady wind and light chop seas for the 96th Annual Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta, held on Monday, March 10, 2025. 

Sailors from the Corozal Bay Sailing Club (CBSC) and Placencia Sailing Club (PSC) journeyed into Belize City. Three (3) race classes turned into 4 classes, thanks to the quick decision of the Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta Committee (BBHRC), and with the vocal support of Maria Cabral, Program Coordinator of the Placencia Sailing Club. It was a tense moment when Antonio Ricardez, Jr. showed up with his Laser boat and a radial sail, after the clubs had agreed to use 4.7 sails only. The Chair of BBHRC shared that the spirit of regatta is for all comers to be welcomed. Quick thinking from Mrs. Cabral, and showing her compassionate character and the inclusive spirit of the Placencia Sailing Club, the Placencia Sailing Club asked one of their laser sailors to use a radial sail that would allow Ricardez to compete. The regatta proceeded with 4 classes: Optimists – Green and White Fleets, Laser 4.7, and Laser Radials.

Here are the results at the end of the day:

Optimist White Fleet:  1st Place – Jayden Westby (PSC); 2nd – Andell Zelaya (CSC); 3rd – Mitch Nagengast (PSC); 4th – Linda Gutierrez (PSC); 5th – Joseph Quan (CSC).

Optimist Green Fleet:  1st Place – Neymar Garbutt (PSC); 2nd – Ethan Marin (CSC); 3rd – Danny Marin (CSC); 4th – Keanu Popper (PSC).

Laser 4.7:  1st Place – George Jackson (PSC); 2nd – Jadon Leslie (PSC); 3rd – Shawn Lizarraga (CSC).

Laser Radial:  1st Place – Antonio Ricardez (Belize City); 2nd – Stafford Eiley (PSC).

One of the highlights of the day was seeing George Jackson graduate from the Optimist fleet into the Lasers, and continuing to represent the sailing prowess of Commodore Alvin Cabral and the Jackson Family. Cabral is a key member of the Placencia Sailing Club and who continues to share his technical expertise with young sailors. And his expertise has found fertile ground in the sailing mind of Jackson. Stepping out into head of the fleet makes Jackson the sailor to watch at the regatta in Placencia this May 17th and 18th. Jackson is now a seasoned sailor and is ready for contenders. Also, Jackson will be in his backyard, and the sea off Punta Placencia can be unforgiving.

Another highlight was the awarding of Maria and Alvin Cabral one of the five Lifetime Achievement Awards presented on the day. The other recipients were Mr. Henry Young, Sir George Brown (posthumously), Hon. Nicholas Captain Sanchez, and Mr. Leonard Usher.

Alvin Cabral spoke on behalf of the sailing community, and thanked the sponsors who took the risk when the youth sailing program started in 2012, after being encouraged by Retired Brigadier General Allan Usher. Containing his emotions during the address, Cabral expressed his gratitude to the community for its support of the Placencia Sailing Club that creates an alternative, healthy space for young people in Placencia to stay connected with their culture through sailing. Maria Cabral is well known in the sailing community for her tag line, “Let’s go Sailing!” We look forward to the Placencia Sailing Club Regatta in Placencia in May 17th and 18th.