Caribbean sailors Luc Chevrier of St. Lucia, Just van Aanholt of Aruba, and Thad Lettsome of the British Virgin Islands gave it their all but, unfortunately, fell short of the medals as the men's dinghy sailing event finished with the medal race on Thursday at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Chevrier finished 29th in the competition, scoring 199 points and 163 net points while van Aanholt finished 33rd with 217 total points and 178 net points.
Lettsome finished 38th, with 255 total points and 215 net points.
Throughout the competition, these sailors displayed exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship, representing their countries with pride on the global stage.
In the women’s dinghy competition, Bermuda’s Adriana Penruddocke and the Cayman Islands’ Charlotte Webster gave strong efforts.
In race 9, Webster finished 37th, while Penruddocke finished 42nd. After the medal race, Penruddocke finished 36th overall with 270 total points and 226 net points while Webster finished 41st with 349 total points and 306 net points.
These women put out a valiant effort, and while they did not get the opportunity at medalling, their performances were admirable, showcasing their athletic ability and passion for the sport.
St Lucia’s Luc Chevrier has made significant strides in the men’s dinghy sailing event, climbing to 29th overall after a series of strong performances in races five through eight. Chevrier's consistent sailing has been key to his rise in the standings. In race five, he finished 11th, demonstrating his ability to compete with the world’s best sailors. Despite a challenging sixth race where he finished 28th, he maintained his focus and placed 27th in race seven. He continued his steady performance by finishing 29th in race eight.
Meanwhile, Aruba's Just Aanholt and the British Virgin Islands' Thad Lettsome experienced varied outcomes. Aanholt is now ranked 33rd overall, with a ninth-place finish in race six being a standout performance. He also placed 34th in race five, 23rd in race seven, and 36th in race eight. Lettsome is currently 38th overall, with consistent finishes of 38th in races five and six, 26th in race seven, and 37th in race eight.
As the competition progresses, the determination and skill of these Caribbean sailors are evident. They will look to improve their standings in race nine, scheduled for August 5.
Bermuda’s Adriana Penruddocke and Cayman Islands’ Charlotte Webster are navigating through a competitive field in the women’s dinghy sailing event, with recent performances highlighting both their successes and challenges.
Penruddocke is currently ranked 35th overall with 228 points, while Webster is in 41st place with 312 points. Their performances in races four through eight reflect their resilience and determination.
In race four, Penruddocke and Webster finished 35th and 41st, respectively. Penruddocke showed significant improvement in race five, securing an impressive 15th place, while Webster finished 36th. Race six saw Penruddocke placing 23rd and Webster 40th. However, Penruddocke faced a setback in race seven, being disqualified for a false start under the black flag rule, while Webster finished 32nd.
Race eight proved challenging for both sailors, with Penruddocke finishing 36th and Webster 43rd. Despite these hurdles, Penruddocke and Webster remain focused on advancing in the competition. Their next opportunity to climb the standings will be in race nine, scheduled for August 5, where they aim to showcase their skills and perseverance on the international stage.
St Lucia’s Luc Chevrier, Aruba’s Just Aanholt, and Thad Lettsome of the British Virgin Islands all redeemed themselves in races three and four of the men's dinghy event at the Marseille Marina – Frioul on Friday.
The standout performance came from Lettsome, who secured an impressive second place in race four. He started strong and led at mark 1, but slipped to third at mark three before inching up to second at mark 4, where he stayed until the end.
Lettsome finished just behind Croatia's Filip Jurisic. Aanholt and Chevrier placed 24th and 25th, respectively.
Race three saw Chevrier deliver the best performance among the trio, as he placed 19th, while Aanholt and Lettsome were 25th and 36th, respectively.
The overall standings reflect improvements for the Caribbean trio, with Chevrier now ranked 31st, Aanholt 33rd, and Lettsome 34th. All three sailors have advanced from their former positions after the first two races, demonstrating their determination and competence.
Bermuda’s Penruddocke, Cayman Islands’ Webster represent the Caribbean in women’s dinghy
Bermuda’s Adriana Penruddocke had a great start in the women’s dinghy event, finishing 14th in race one at the Marseille Marina – Frioul.
Meanwhile, Cayman Islands’ Charlotte Webster finished 41st in the same race.
Both sailors struggled in Race 2, with Penruddocke finishing 35th and Webster 40th. Penruddocke, on the other hand, redeemed herself in race three, finishing 26th, while Webster was 39th.
After three races, Penruddocke is 26th overall with 40 points, and Webster is 41st with 79 points.
Penruddocke, 24, secured her spot in Paris 2024 with a sixth-place result at the 2023 Pan American Games.
Webster, 20, qualified by finishing 12th in the ILCA 6 at the same games, becoming the third woman sailor from Cayman Islands to represent the country at an Olympic Games.
As the competition progresses and the upcoming races begin, the spotlight will be on these Caribbean competitors as they work to improve their place in the sport.
St. Lucia's Luc Chevrier had a solid start in the men's dinghy event, which got underway at the Marseille Marina on Thursday. Despite a delay due to weather-related issues, Chevrier exhibited determination in the initial races.
Chevrier finished 24th in the first race, a performance that was marked by strong advancement as he climbed to 16th at mark 4, then to 14th at mark 1. However, he later slipped to 22nd and ultimately crossed the finish line in 24th place.
The second race proved more formidable, as Chevrier started 39th and worked his way up to 36th. By virtue of those performances, the 25-year-old, who contested the Laser event at the 2020 Tokyo Games, is now 32nd in the overall standings with 60 points.
Meanwhile, Aruba’s Just Aanholt finished 26th in the first race and 38th in the second, as he sits 37th overall with 65 points.
Thad Lettsome of the British Virgin Islands, making his Olympic debut, placed 40th in the first race but improved to 37th in the second. He is occupying 40th position overall with 78 points.
As the competition progresses and the next races get started, the attention will be on these Caribbean athletes as they look to improve their positions in the sport, which uses small boats, such as sailing dinghies.
It is often said that age is just a number, and rising sprint sensation Adaejah Hodge agrees it is indeed just that.
For Hodge, achieving the biggest milestone of her career –an Olympic Games appearance –at 18 years old is merely a testament to her extraordinary talent and determination.
Hodge, who is set to represent the British Virgin Islands in the 200 metres, will be the youngest athlete to contest the event at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, marking another historic moment in her burgeoning career.
The diminutive sprinter, who won the 100m and 200m at her National Championships, will join seasoned 400m hurdles campaigner Kyron McMaster, sprinter Rikkoi Brathwaite, and Sailing representative Thad Lettsome in flying the BVI flag.
“Making the Olympic team is huge for me considering it has been a dream of mine since I started my track and field career, and I believe it is another testament to all the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my training,” Hodge told SportsMax.TV.
“Achieving this at this point in my career has given me the confidence for future championships and world events. I’m always excited to represent the British Virgin Islands on the world stage and I’m ready to give it my all,” she added.
Though it will be her first time at the global multi-sport showpiece, Hodge is no stranger to world class competition, as she contested the women’s 200m semi-finals at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Having savoured that experience, Hodge, is not only ready to shine brightly on the Olympic stage, but more importantly, prove that with hard work, faith, and unwavering support, anything is possible.
“I’ve enjoyed many highs this season, and again this (Olympic Games achievement) is just another that illustrates the level of talent and ability that I have, and there were also the tough times when I endured a metatarsal stress fracture. During that injury, I learned how resilient and determined I can be once I have a goal and the right support group,” said Hodge, who has personal best times of 11.11s and 22.33s for the 100m and 200m.
“It is this determined mentality that I have maintained for the Olympic Games, I am studying the field (some of the top athletes I will go up against) and most importantly trusting in God. I know He has been faithful throughout this entire season and that He has a great plan for me. But while trusting in God’s plan, I also know I have to put in the work physically by giving 110% in every workout and making sure my rest is on a champion level status,” she shared.
Hodge’s passion for running was evident from a young age, as she was captivated by the sport and spent countless hours honing her skills. Her natural talent was soon recognized, and she began to compete in regional events.
In fact, at the Carifta Games in 2022, she won gold in the 100m, 200m and the long jump to cop the coveted Austin Sealy Award, and since then, has quickly risen through the ranks. That same year in 2022, she was named Georgia High Schools Association Track and Field Athlete of the Year, following outstanding performances for Montverde Academy.
“I was introduced to track and field from a very young age. During my preschool days we had an annual event where we would do many events and that’s where I fell in love with the sport. From that moment forward, my career grew because of my love for challenges and earning new achievements in this sport,” she explained.
“It can be hard for many people to be in my shoes, but with the level of love and dedication I have for this sport it isn’t hard for me. Although training is sometimes tough, I enjoy those gruelling sessions because it’s allowing me to grow and become the person I aspire to be,” Hodge, who currently attends University of Georgia, noted.
While her growth in the sport mainly due to her exceptional ability, Hodge was quick to point out that nothing she has achieved to date would be possible without the immense sacrifice and unwavering support from her mother.
“My mom has been my rock and my biggest motivation to push beyond the challenges because I’ve seen the sacrifices she has made for me. She’s opened many doors for me to ensure I had every opportunity to pursue my dreams and inspired me to take chances that may have been scary at the time. So I want to make her proud and show her that all her sacrifices were worth it,” the bubbly athlete reasoned.
Despite her youth, Hodge exudes confidence and maturity beyond her years, and so her determination and focus on giving her best performance at the Paris Games comes as no surprise.
After all, Hodge is well aware that carries with her the hopes of BVI and the inspiration of aspiring young athletes everywhere.
“I have no nerves going into Paris because I’ve been on the World stage prior to these games and, like I said before, this is all a part of God’s plan. Of course I will probably get some butterflies in the check in area but it’s nothing too stressful,” she declared.
“I just want to continue to grow in this sport and make my country proud. But more than that, I want to continue to make history to inspire the younger generations to pursue their dreams, no matter how big they may seem,” Hodge ended.
NB: The Paris Olympic Games scheduled for July 26 to August 11, will be live on SportsMax and the SportsMax App.
Rising sprint sensation Adaejah Hodge is set to make history as the youngest female athlete to compete in the women’s 200m at the Olympic Games, after she was named to the British Virgin Islands team to the upcoming multi-sport showpiece in Paris.
The 18-year-old, who won the women’s 100m and 200m at the BVI’s Championships, was included in a four-member team, which includes 40mm hurdles stalwart Kyron McMaster, sprinter Rikkoi Brathwaite, and Sailing representative Thad Lettsome.
While it will be her first Olympic Games appearance, Hodge is no stranger to the proverbial big league competitions, as she competed at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where she made the women’s 200m semi-finals.
Hodge’s Olympic appearance will not only mark a significant personal milestone, but more importantly, shines light on the promising future of young BVI athletes, who she will no doubt inspire.
Meanwhile, McMaster, 27, a seasoned campaigner in the 400m hurdles, will be hoping to repeat his silver medal-winning feat from last year’s World Championships, while Brathwaite and Lettsome are also poised to give good accounts of themselves in making BVI proud.
That said, the BVI Olympic committee expressed confidence in their team, as it pointed to the dedication and hard work of each athlete to represent the island nation at the elite level.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
