Cayman’s top racing team is presently in Newport, Rhode Island, competing in the J22 World Championships. This year marks the 30th anniversary of this event and features teams from USA, Canada, South Africa and Cayman.

In a fleet of 71 boats, Mike Farrington, Matt Diaz and Sam Dawson took advantage of the windy conditions for the first two races on Wednesday and recorded a 4th and a 5th place to take them up to 18th place overall.

“This is the most prestigious regatta for the J22 class and although we didn’t have a good first day of racing the team came together and sailed really well today. It is fantastic to be racing alongside some of the top sailors in the world”, enthused Farrington.

There is added Cayman interest at this event as the top Canadian entry features Mike Weber and Darcy Fuller, both former coaches at the Cayman Islands Sailing Club sailing with Marina Maffessanti a former top youth sailor in Cayman.

“It’s great to see Cayman back on the world sailing scene once again” said Rick Caley, sailing club manager. “Last month the youth team was up in Newport doing us proud in the Byte World Championships. Now the big boys are at it. People are starting to ask what we are doing down here on our small island and want to come to race against us”

The J22 Worlds continues until Saturday. You can follow the event at http://www.j22worlds.com/