Bermudian Sailors Make Strong Start at Comet Internationals
IslandStats.com
Three Bermudian boats are competing in the 2025 Comet Internationals hosted by the Shrewsbury Sailing & Yacht Club in Oceanport, New Jersey. The contingent has made a strong start, with Rudy Bailey leading the way in second place overall after the first day of racing.
Bailey, showed impressive consistency, securing finishes of second, third, and second in the day's three races. He finished the day with 7 points, placing him just behind the fleet leader, Jay Rhame.
Maxwell Curtis and his crew Wesley Tucker are also in a solid position, sitting in fifth place with 18 points. The pair improved their performance throughout the day, finishing 11th in the first race before claiming a fourth and a third in the final two races.
Gregory Wade and his crew Geno Smith faced a more challenging day, finishing 20th in the 20-boat fleet with 56 points. The team will be looking to improve their results as the regatta continues.
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Kempe Holds Steady as Championship Heads for Finish
IslandStats.com
Sebastian Kempe has held his position in 12th place as the 2025 ILCA Under-21 World Championship in Dublin Bay, Ireland, heads for a dramatic finale. With just one day of racing remaining, the pressure is on the leaders, while Kempe will be looking to make a final push up the leaderboard.
The young Bermudian sailor, competing against nearly 220 of the world’s best, navigated a challenging Day 5 with consistency. In the first race of the day (the ninth of the regatta), Kempe crossed the line in 22nd place. He followed that with an impressive 13th-place finish in the second and final race of the day, leaving him with a net points total of 112.
Overall leader Ole Schweckendiek of Germany faced renewed pressure from his rivals, setting the stage for a thrilling final day of racing. While a podium finish may be out of reach for Kempe, his improved consistency over the past two days is a positive sign as he continues to gain valuable experience on the world stage.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Kempe Battles Back at ILCA U-21 World Championships
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's Sebastian Kempe had a much better day on the water at the 2025 ILCA Under-21 World Championships in Dublin Bay, Ireland. Despite a more consistent performance, Kempe slipped one place from his overnight eleventh to twelfth overall after two more races, bringing the series total to eight.
In the first race of the day (the seventh of the series), Kempe crossed the line in 16th place, a significant improvement from his previous results. He followed that up with an 18th place finish in the second race of the day.
With a total of 77 net points, Kempe will be looking to build on this improved form and climb back up the leaderboard as the competition heads into its final stages. The event has been a true test of skill and endurance, and the young Bermudian sailor is showing his resilience by battling back from a difficult two days of racing.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Vrengen Wins Race Day 20 in Wednesday Night Sailing
IslandStats.com
A fleet of 26 boats took to the water for Race Day 20 of the Wednesday Night Sailing Series, navigating the challenging waters of Hamilton Harbour and the Great Sound in a highly competitive race. After a tactical battle on the water, it was Vrengen that was declared the winner on the night.
Vrengen's superb performance was reflected in its corrected time of 55:22, securing the top spot on the podium. The race for the remaining top positions was fiercely contested. Menace finished a close second with a corrected time of 55:57, while Shadow rounded out the top three with a corrected time of 56:17.
The event once again highlighted the importance of the handicap system in sailing. Crossfire crossed the finish line first with an elapsed time of 56 minutes and 27 seconds, but after corrected times were applied, it finished ninth. Similarly, Nasty Medicine was the second boat to cross the finish line with a time of 58:22 but finished 16th after the corrected times were applied. These results underscore how a boat's raw speed does not always translate to a win, with the final standings determined by a complex formula that accounts for each boat's unique characteristics.
Kempe Slips Down the Leaderboard at World Championships
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's Sebastian Kempe faced an even more challenging day on the water as the 2025 ILCA Under 21 World Championships continued in Dublin Bay, Ireland. The difficult conditions and heavy swells saw Kempe slip from his overnight fifth-place position to eleventh overall after two more races, taking the series total to six.
The young Bermudian sailor, who had started the regatta with such promise, had a difficult day, finishing the first race in 30th place before crossing the line in 44th in the second. This leaves him with a total of 43 net points.
While he remains firmly in contention, Kempe will be looking for a significant improvement in form to climb back up the leaderboard and challenge for a podium position. The ILCA 7 Class is proving to be a true test of skill and endurance, and with more racing to come, Kempe will be hoping for a change in fortune and a return to the consistent performances he is known for.
