From November 1–9, 2025, five sailors from the St. Croix Youth Sailing Association traveled to Ponce, Puerto Rico to compete and train in an intensive 29er Regatta & Training Clinic, racing alongside top youth sailors from across the region.
This nine-day, full-immersion program combined high-level racing with structured daily training, from early-morning rigging and on-the-water sessions to evening debriefs focused on performance, strategy, and teamwork.
Coaching & Leadership
The clinic was led by an outstanding coaching team whose expertise and dedication were instrumental in the sailors’ development throughout the week:
- Coach Steve Sargent
- Coach Caroline Atwood
- Coach Marcen
STXYSA also extends special thanks to Jose and Cristina Rivera for their support and contributions to the program.
Under this world-class guidance, our sailors gained invaluable high-performance experience while sharpening technical skills, building confidence, and strengthening their ability to race as a team under demanding conditions.
Building Momentum for Virgin Islands Youth Sailing
This clinic built on STXYSA’s recent international progress and reinforced our mission to help Virgin Islands youth grow not only as competitive sailors, but as disciplined, resilient individuals both on and off the water.
“Every time our sailors travel for a clinic like this, they come back stronger — not just as athletes, but as teammates and individuals,” shared one of the sailors’ parents.
We are incredibly proud of the focus, determination, and sportsmanship shown by our five sailors as they represented St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands throughout the week.
Gratitude & Community Support
Opportunities like the Ponce Regatta & Training Clinic are made possible by the continued support of:
- Our generous sponsors
- Dedicated parents and families
- The broader St. Croix and Virgin Islands sailing community
Your belief in these young athletes helps fuel their growth and makes experiences like this possible.
Note: Sponsor acknowledgments will be revisited and expanded in a follow-up update.
Fair winds to Team STXYSA — and thank you to everyone who continues to support youth sailing in the Virgin Islands.
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