The winner of this year’s Caribbean Laser Championships held in Orient Bay over the weekend was Karl James. Held on the 24th and 25th June, Karl James who was sponsored by Budget Marine, beat out Benoit Maesemaker of St. Barths and his countryman Jules Mitchell also of Antigua. James and Maesemaker had been almost even on points at the end of sailing on Saturday but the heavier winds on Sunday gave him the chance to forge ahead.
Fourteen boats competed in the championships at Orient Bay French Saint Martin. On the Saturday the winds were around 14 knots and on Sunday they were at 20 knots.
Besides being the leading chandlery chain in the Caribbean the Budget Marine sponsorship of Karl James was provided with particular enthusiasm given the role James has played in youth development in Antigua and his contribution to the growth of the sport of sailing in which he has been active for 24 years.