The Dominican Republic is the host country for the XXVI World Sunfish Championship. The event will be held in the bay of Andrés, Boca Chica Beach, a 25 minute drive from Santo Domingo from 11-19 October of this year.
“The 100 best Sunfish sailors are expected from throughout the world,” said Andrés Santana, who presides over the Dominican organizing committee. They will be competing for the world championship. Entries have arrived already from Venezuela, Puerto Rico, United States, Colombia, Peru, Holland, Italy, Bermuda, Curacao and Aruba. Competitors include former world champions Eduardo Cordero, from Venezuela, David Lory and Paul-Jon Patin from the United States, Malcolm Smith from Bermuda and Stephen Smeulders, from Curaçao.
The event is organized by a committee made up of the International Sunfish Class Association and Sunfish/Laser, Inc. together with Dominican entities including the host, Santo Domingo Yacht Club, the Dominican Navy, the Dominican Olympic Committee, and the different sailing associations in the country. These include the Federación Dominicana de Vela, and the Asociación Dominicana de Veleros de Competencia Oceánica.
The Dominican Republic will be represented by 15 competitors. They are: Luis Abréu, Raúl Aguayo, Luis José Cabral, Carlos Aguiló, Gabriel Alonso, Igor Bordas, Ian Bordas, Eduardo Alonso, Joan Rodríguez, José Ricardo Feris, Osián Abréu, Federico Penzo, Joel Mendoza, Jorge Rodríguez and Javier Rodríguez.
The Dominican team underwent a week of intensive training under Eduardo Cordero, world champion in 1993. In March of this year, he was placed first in the Midwinter Championships of the United States, held in Sarasota, Florida.
The championship is sponsored by American Airlines, Agencias Navieras B&R shipping line, Hotelera Don Juan, Hoteles AMSHA, Telecable Nacional y Caribbean Traveling Network, among others.
The tournament is being dedicated to Dr Alberto Verdeja, and a group of Dominicans who pioneered the sport in the early 70s. These “first generation” sailors are Horacio Alvarez II, Escipión Oliveira, Juan Santoni, José Vitienes, Antonio Wittkop, Horacio Alvarez III. Others honored will include Guillermo Santoni, Juan Alorda, Miles Davidson, J. Thordsberg, Larry Helsberg y Helen Pérez Montás. An “In Memoriam” recognition will also be made to Dr Federico García Godoy and Mrs. Milagros Prats, who also endeavored to get the sport started in the country.
Also planned is the issue of a commemorative set of postage stamps by IMPOSTDOM.
The Santo Domingo Yacht Club and the Dominican Sunfish Association, hosts of the event, will hold a gala dinner on Wednesday, 16 October, at the Hotel V Centenario for participants, ambassadors of the participating countries, sports authorities, and the national and international press.