PRESS RELEASE - The Renal Association is currently in the process of organizing activities for kidney week 2015. Kidney disease is very prevalent world- wide, particularly among people of African descent.

Treating late stage kidney disease is extremely expensive and in many cases patients cannot afford medication necessary to treat their symptoms and for many patients with Stage 5 kidney disease who require dialysis, the cost of said therapy is prohibitive.

Recognizing that fact, the Renal Association in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, has taken a proactive approach to educating the general public on the importance of early detection and prevention of kidney disease.

World kidney day this year will be celebrated on March 12, 2015.  A week of activities is being planned to mark the occasion.

The main activity will be a celebrity sports day which will be held on Sunday March 15, 2015. Our aim is to bring together prominent members of society to participate in friendly competition.

It is our belief that the presence of these celebrities will attract members of the general public giving us a wider audience to get the message of “Kidney Health for All” out and to emphasize the importance of physical activity.

This will also allow us to raise much needed funds for the renal association. The proposed events are basketball, netball, small goals football, and table tennis and fun sports. Venue will be the Beausejour indoor facility.

St. Hill.

President of the National Consumer Association (NCA) Kingsley St Hill is calling on government again to make the Consumer Protection Bill a priority.

St Hill told St Lucia News Online (SNO) today that he would like to see the draft bill completed, approved and put into law at the soonest possible time; at least by this year.

The consumer rights advocate emphasised that the bill is long overdue. He said it is unbelievable that the bill still remains on the desk of Legal Affairs Minister Victor La Corbiniere.

St. Hill said consumers are already suffering and the bill must be approved and brought into law, so that their  rights could be protected.

He also reiterated that his association has done “almost everything” possible in advocating for the bill to be passed in parliament.

The NCA president had told SNO in a previous interview that St Lucia must learn from its sister Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries and place a consumer protection act in place.

Earlier this month, St. Hill lashed out against a few companies, who he claims have been engaged in false advertising, especially telecommunication companies.

The NCA head had said it is a wake -up call for government to enact the Consumer Protection Bill. The NCA has logged the advertisements they deem false.

St. Hill has also called on government to enforce section 36 of the Metrology Act, which is to ensure that consumers are not cheated at butchers, grocers, and by utility companies.

The NCA president said government should make every effort to raise standards where they are lower, and encourage the availability of testing and certifying facilities.

Most importantly, he said consumers should always be protected.

Over 100 public servants have reportedly signed a petition created to have Civil Service Association President Mary Isaac removed from office.

Reports are that the petition was created by a CSA branch chairman. The petition calls for an extra-ordinary meeting of the CSA General Council. The meeting is expected to discuss primarily Isaac’s future with the CSA .

In December, the UWP announced that it nominated Isaac as an opposition senator to replace former Public Service Minister Lenard Montoute who resigned his seat in the upper House on December 5.

According to the petition, Isaac’s decision has “compromised the political neutrality and independence” of the CSA.

In an exclusive interview with St. Lucia News Online (SNO) after this announcement, Isaac defended her appointment, saying it is an opportunity to represent the interests of the working class.

Isaac has also labeled the petition created to have her removed from the helm of the association as “politically-motivated.” She said she is “not worried” about it at all, stating that there are a few negative elements who may be responsible for it.

She also expressed confidence that a majority of the members will not support the petition, because it was they who voted for her to represent their interests.

She said she has been doing exactly that and plans to do more for her organisation.

Several persons have expressed their disappointment with the St. Lucia Fire and Emergency Services following an incident in front the Craft Market in Castries yesterday.

Reports are that between 11:30 and 11:55 a.m., a woman, who appeared to be a visitor, began to bleed profusely after her right foot went into a small opening of the sidewalk’s steel pavement.

An eyewitness told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that a call was made to emergency services but the ambulance never showed up.

After more than 20 minutes of waiting, the woman was eventually transported to hospital by a car.

PROPERTY WIRE - Property sectors in the Caribbean and Central America are set to grow in 2015 with the quality of life, good value for money and stability attracting more people to these regions, it is claimed.

According to an analysis by 7th Heaven Properties the Caribbean region has reinforced its appeal to property buyers and investors, particularly in the face of social, economic and political volatility in other regions.

‘Many investment locations such as the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands experienced strong growth last year and we expect 2015 to be the year that the Caribbean real estate market as a whole turns a corner,’ said Walter Zephirin, managing director of London based 7th Heaven Properties.

‘A growth in enquiries from prospective buyers indicates a renewed confidence in the region and sales levels on many islands are returning to pre-crisis levels,’ he explained.

He pointed out that locations across the Caribbean and Central America are benefiting from an upturn in the US, Canada and the UK, resulting in an increase in visitor arrivals, tourist spend and property sales.

‘A growing pipeline of new projects, significant infrastructure investments and a thawing in relations between the USA and Cuba are also expected to provide an additional boost to the region,’ he added.

The firm believes that a positive economic outlook for the Caribbean and Central America region, with GDP forecast to grow 5.8% in Panama and 4.8% in the Dominican Republic in 2015, will attract property investors.

There has been a series of announcements relating to new luxury residential developments in multiple locations, including Antigua, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama and of government programmes to incentivise property buyers, including Citizenship by Investment in Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis as well as retirement programmes in Belize and Panama.

On top of this there has been an increase in direct flights to destinations including Costa Rica, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and St Lucia improving access for tourists and property buyers as well as recent and on-going investments in private jet terminals and airport upgrades.

Royal Westmoreland, a gated community and golf estate on the west coast of Barbados has just launched a fractional ownership option in response to feedback from regular rental guests who said they simply don’t have the holiday time to commit to full ownership.

Kim Goddard, head of sales at Royal Westmoreland, said that the fractional ownership program allows for purchasers to own just the time they intend to stay at the resort. The property is held freehold/deeded in a third party trust in the Isle of Man, governed under UK commonwealth property law, and ownership shares in the villas are fully transferable, and sellable.

‘We often find that potential purchasers might have the means to buy full ownership but are constrained by the amount of holiday time they have to utilise their home at this point in time. So for them this is a savvy way of buying a home that is aligned to their expected usage, controlling their expectations when arriving for their annual holiday whilst allowing them to benefit from capital uplift in the property value when looking at justifying a full ownership purchase,’ explained Goddard.

Owners who are unable to visit the resort during the time period purchased are able to exchange their weeks through an internal exchange programme to allow the storing and movement of time that provides the benefit of year-round access to multiple size residences on resort

General Manager Simon Bryan receiving the award.

PRESS RELEASE - IGY Marinas proudly announces that Rodney Bay Marina in St. Lucia is the runner up for the Superyacht Marina of the Year Award presented at the London Boat Show by The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA).

For the second year in a row, TYHA, in conjunction with partner GJW Insurance has awarded its Gold Anchor holders (of which Rodney Bay Marina holds 5) several prestigious titles that recognize excellence in marina properties.

The winning marinas are considered the best by their customers in the UK Coastal, UK Inland, International and Superyacht categories. Winners and runners up of the prestigious Awards received laser-etched glass trophies and framed certificates to proudly promote their achievement at their home marinas.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as one of the top Superyacht marinas internationally, and I would like to thank The Yacht Harbour Association once again for recognizing IGY’s quality of service and facilities. Last year IGY Marina Cabo San Lucas in Mexico was awarded the International Marina of the Year, and another IGY marina, The Yacht Club at Isle de Sol in St. Maarten was the 2014 runner up. We couldn’t be more proud of our marina teams,” said Kenny Jones, MBE, EVP of Operations for IGY Marinas.

Rodney Bay Marina has 32 fixed concrete docks for superyachts up to 285 feet, high-speed fueling, provisioning, appropriate electrical and other vessel services that go above and beyond what the large vessel market demands.

The property boasts restaurants, bars, and a convenience store and holds several events throughout its seasons for its customers. St. Lucia has made tremendous headway in the yachting sector by bringing more vessels to its shores year after year. General Manager Simon Bryan was recently elected the official Representative of the St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association’s Representative for Yachting and Maritime in St. Lucia.

The primary tourism private sector agency in St. Lucia, the SLHTA is responsible for facilitating tourism sector development and management. The Association has over 200 members covering a wide segment of the economic spectrum of St. Lucia to include the tourism, retail & wholesale distribution, agriculture and other services sectors including the yachting and maritime sub-sectors.

PRESS RELEASE - The Babonneau Constituency wishes to commemorate our Nobel Laureates by hosting a “Celebration of Youth Excellence” on Saturday, January 31st, 2015.

This activity is being organized to recognize and celebrate the diversity and richness of the talent among our youth.  It is appropriate and befitting to celebrate the achievements of our youth at this time to coincide with Nobel Laureate Month.

It is worthy to note that the Babonneau constituency has produced a number of stars including; Levern Spencer who continues to represent Saint Lucia on the regional and international scene.

Levern is but only one whose talent and contribution is worth highlighting and celebrating, thus, this awards evening will focus on such categories as; Arts and Culture, Sports, Entrepreneurship in Commerce and Agriculture, and Community Development.

Cognizant of the fact that Sir Arthur Lewis became the first black professor in Britain’s university system at the young age of 33, it is our view that such an event can serve as an opportune moment to counter all of the negativity currently heaped upon the youth, as we motivate awardees to continue setting high standards whilst encouraging others to do likewise.

We have carefully identified various reputable institutions with which we believe that a partnership can be developed to make this event a success. We attach hereto a copy of the award categories and provisional budget and hereby solicit your support; financial or in-kind towards the same.

This prestigious event which will be under the patronage of Her Excellency Dame Pearlette C. Louisy will take place on Saturday January 31, 2015 at the Union Orchid Gardens from 7pm.

You are therefore invited to cover the ceremony and disseminate to the wider public. We wish to thank you in anticipation of your attendance and ever grateful for your support and kind consideration.

An accident occurred sometime this morning in Morne Du Don, Castries involving a minibus. The accident occurred a few feet away from the Morne Du Don Primary School. No further details.

PRESS RELEASE - The Sandals Foundation, in partnership with United States-based Hands Across The Sea, is set to hand over recently enhanced libraries to five schools.

The schools are Gros Islet Infant School, Aux Lyons Combined School, Babonneau Primary School and the Piaye Secondary School where combined, 1,059 students are benefiting from US$14,500 worth of books.

“We love helping our Caribbean children get excited about reading and firmly believe that our partnership is making a tremendous impact in these school communities.

“The partnership with the Sandals Foundation allowed us to serve a new library project and give a boost to libraries that were previously started and now flourishing,” said Harriet Linskey – Co-Founder and Executive Director of Hands Across the Sea.

So far the Sandals Foundation and Hands Across The Sea partnership, along with the principals’ leadership and dedicated teachers, has seen to the distribution of new books and libraries at Balata, Richfond, Dennery Primary Schools and the Belle Vue Combined.

Meanwhile, the students of Babonneau Secondary School have expressed their delight in having classroom libraries and books to read other than textbooks, all of which have been provided through this programme.

“We are very grateful for this partnership that is providing the essential support for literacy development in the Caribbean,” said Heidi Clarke, director of programmes of the Sandals Foundation.  “Encouraging reading by having exciting, age appropriate books helps students develop their reading skills which enhances their ability to learn in all subject areas.”

PRESS RELEASE – Saint Lucia enters the new year poised for continued tourism growth as the island celebrates an impressive six percent increase in total visitor arrivals in 2014 over 2013, with nearly 340,000 visitors.

Equally impressive, the island reported seven record breaking months – February, March, April, June, October, November and December, demonstrating year round demand for the destination.

The top markets to Saint Lucia each reported healthy gains. The U.S., the island’s leading market commanding nearly half (42 percent) of arrivals, saw a strong 11 percent growth over 2013.

The second largest market, the United Kingdom, saw four percent increase in 2014 over 2013; while Canada, the fourth largest market for Saint Lucia, also saw a double-digit increase in arrivals of 15 percent in 2014.

Airlift to Saint Lucia also increased a combined 14 percent overall in 2014 with 10 percent from the US, 14 percent from the UK and 18 percent from Canada, and an expected increase in airlift in 2015 of 14 percent.

The growing reputation of the diverse hotels, and the island of Saint Lucia as a sought-after destination was further strengthened by the more than 100 awards and accolades received from Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best List and Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List to the coveted “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” by World Travel Awards. Saint Lucia found itself in the spotlight once again as the finale destination for ABC’s The Bachelor and as a centerpiece of Sports Illustrated’s coveted 50th anniversary swimsuit issue.

Overall, top source markets to the island reported stay-over arrivals of more than 340,000 in 2014, a nearly six percent increase over 2013, reported Louis Lewis, Director of Tourism for the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.

From acclaimed events and festivals, such as the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, to investments in new and enhanced hotels and tourism products, Saint Lucia is poised for continued growth in the coming year.

“Partnership is key to keeping the momentum strong for Saint Lucia’s marketing efforts,” said Lewis.  “We work closely with our hotel and product partners, travel agent partners, tour operators, and airlines, to harness ideas and resources for the success of the overall destination.”

PRESS RELEASE - On Wednesday, 28th January 2015 about 1:20a.m officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department responded to a shooting incident which occurred about 1:00a.m at San Souci, Castries.

Twenty-five-year-old Danny John Degazon of Morne Du Don, Castries attempted to enter the “We First Pre School” situated at San Souci, Castries when he was shot by a security officer.

Degazon sustained gunshot wounds to the left arm and thigh.

He is presently admitted at the Victoria Hospital in stable condition.

Investigations are continuing into the matter.

PRESS RELEASE - The Department of Fisheries informs all Commercial Fishing Vessel Owners and Captains that their fishing license expires on March 31st 2015.

In order to facilitate a smooth change over into the next licensing period, the Department urges all fishing vessel owners and captains to renew their license from February2015.

In addition, vessel owners and captains are required to ensure the following are available to avoid delays in the processing of their applications:

1.         The inside of the boat is painted a bright colour( signal red or orange)

2.         Their boat captain is registered with the Department of Fisheries

3.         The full name of all crew are available

4.         All gear and safety equipment are available for inspection

Boat safety has always been one of the focus areas for the Department; and in 2015, the Licensing and Extension units will continue to work with all relevant agencies to ensure fishers comply with the regulations and conditions for the operation of fishing vessels.

For additional information please contact the Department of Fisheries at 468 4143, 454 7439 and 468 4145.

PRESS RELEASE - The Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security last year announced that Cabinet approved an extension of the deadline for the recall of non– machine readable passports from November 01, 2014 to January 31, 2015.

The public is asked to note that a one month further extension of the deadline will come into effect from January 31 to February 28, 2015.

Citizens of Saint Lucia who presently carry non-machine readable passports will be required to apply for a machine-readable passport at the Immigration Department in the Lamar Building on Bridge Street, Castries before the new deadline date. Passport fees remain as follows: Regular– $80.00 and Express service – $130.00.

At the end of the recall, citizens of Saint Lucia will not be permitted to travel with the non-machine readable passports.

This new system is in compliance with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the organization that governs the specifications and guidelines for travel documents.

The introduction of the Machine Readable Passport is to enhance the security of travel documents and to avoid counterfeiting and fraudulent alterations.

Kyai Taylor.

Saint Lucia’s young golfers were active over the weekend, with competition in two formats.

On Friday last, the international format of drive, pitch and putt was introduced, to challenge the junior players in all three aspects of the game, with the premium being on overall consistency.

In the end, Thaeden Antoine and Erin Charles were winners in the boys and girls seven and under; Miles McNamara emerged vitorious in the 8-10 boys, whilst Dylan Mauricette and Tiala Scott were the 11-14 boys and girls champions; Daronjil Mauricette took the title in the 15-17 boys division.

The first junior monthly medal for the year also took place on Saturday, and competition was tight. Just three strokes separated the winners from the players in second place in the three categories.

Some new names also came up in the winner’s circle, as monthly favorites were knocked off their pedestals.

In the girls division, Jade Brown (with a score of 112) beat KC Gill into second place by one stroke. Zanaii Taylor had the best overall net figures. In the junior boys nine-hole division, Kyai Taylor shot 49 to hold Keymanie Thomas off by a stroke.

Rayshorn Joseph took the senior boys award with a score of 95, just ahead of Adrian Richelieu. Dominique Monrose had the best net score, 80.

The top three scorers in the boys division – Rayshorn, Adrian and Daronhil – automatically qualified for entry into the adult monthly medal, slated for 7 February.

Rayshorn Joseph.

Jade Brown.

Three persons have been arrested in relation to the stabbing incident on the Micoud playing field involving two brothers from Mon Repos on Sunday, January 25.

The police suspects that the stabbing stemmed from a girlfriend of one of the victims. However, investigations are continuing.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that one of the victims, Ted Atkins, who was admitted at St. Jude Hospital with stab wounds to the abdomen is in a stable condition and is recovering.

His brother, Edd Atkins who was also admitted for stab wounds to the back has been released. The brothers were admitted to the hospital following a brawl at a football final between Survivals and El Ninos at the Micoud playing field on Sunday last.

Police had fired shots to disburse the fight. “Even when a police officer separated the fight, one of the guys grabbed a stone in an attempt to hit the police. That’s when the officer drew his weapon and fired a warning shot,” an eyewitness told SNO.

SNO was told that the suspects in Sunday’s incident were also involved in violent conduct during and after a game on Sunday, Jan. 18 in Desruisseaux.

PRESS RELEASE - ”The National Insurance Corporation notes the growing public concern over this month’s increase in Saint Lucia’s retirement age to 65.

The Corporation wished to highlight, that some fifteen (15) years ago, it embarked on an exercise to gradually increase the retirement age from 60 to 65.

This decision, undertaken in 2000, was the result of an Actuarial Review of the Corporation, which projected that the ratio of pensioners to contributors would continually increase.

This, according to the report, would cause a significant impact on the Corporation’s ability to honor its responsibilities to pensioners and other claimants, by 2030.

Thus, the Corporation charted an incremental increase in the retirement age. In 2000, the retirement age stood at age 60, moved to age 61 in 2003, 62 in 2006, and then to 63 in 2009.

In 2012, the pensionable age stood at 64 and was scheduled to remain constant for three years, making its final transition to 65 on January 1st, 2015.

We can now recognize that this paradigm shift is not a result of recent action by the NIC, but instead forms part of its strategic move to ensure its long-term viability and to bolster its ability to continue providing benefits to contributors.

In fact, the decision to increase the retirement age is occurring across the Caribbean; for example St Vincent’s 2014 decision to increase its retirement age to 65 in 15 years and Barbados  increasing its pension age incrementally since 2006, until it reaches 67 in 2018.

The NIC’s mandate remains to “ensure that every Saint Lucian enjoys social and financial protection” through “the efficient collection of contributions and payment of relevant benefits.”

Quintessentially, the NIC’s responsibility is to ensure that all Saint Lucians can experience its benefits today and beyond 2030.

Despite this, persons can still apply for a retirement pension or grant at the age of 60; however, the maximum benefit is realized at age 65.

It should be noted that while every individual may not file a claim for a sickness, invalidity, pension or employment injury benefit in any particular month, the Corporation honors thousands of payments to other contributors, amounting to millions of dollars monthly.

The NIC appreciates the concerns of every individual, but when juxtaposed against the interest of the entire populace, the move to 65 is indeed for the benefit of us all.

Saint Lucia’s National Insurance Corporation is an affiliate of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which is responsible for the periodic Actuarial Reviews.

Social Protection is a key objective of the ILO’s which seeks to extend the coverage and effectiveness of social security schemes.

This is the true rationale for the Corporation’s adherence to the 1996 recommendation of the sixth Actuarial Review undertaken by the ILO.”

Sana Ragbir, First Citizens General Manager (Ag.).

PRESS RELEASE - The business sector will get an opportunity to start the year off in-the-know thanks to the First Citizens Investment Services Caribbean Market Outlook Seminar 2015.

Held annually the seminar presents a panel of experts who review and analyze market and economic data for the local, regional and international economies.

This year’s panel will feature First Citizens Investment Services General Manager (Ag.) Ms. Sana Ragbir, the company’s Head of Research Mrs. Vangie Bhagoo-Ramrattan, Invest Saint Lucia CEO Mr. McHale Andrew and First Citizens Business Development Officer & ECSE representative Mr. Shaka St Ange.

Scores of business persons have already signed up for the interactive seminar which also allows for questions and discussion on issues affecting the financial and business sectors.

The session will be held Wednesday 4th February from 9am to 11:30am at the St Lucian by Rex Resorts, Rodney Bay.

First Citizens Investment Services has highlighted the following as key issues to be addressed at the seminar:

•             Global and Regional Economic Overview

•             International Market

•             Fixed income Market

•             Regional stock Markets

•             ECSE stock market

•             Review of 2014

•             Projections for 2015

To obtain more information and register for this conference contact First Citizens Investment Services at 450-2662 or email seminars@firstcitizensslu.com.

PRESS RELEASE - The St. Lucia football Association Inter-Districts Under 15 and Royal Club Under 23 Competitions kicks off this weekend with games playing in the different Districts.  The Competition will be played in four Zones featuring the following teams:

Northern Zone – Babonneau, Gros Islet, La Clery, Central Castries

Western Zone – Anse La Raye, Canaries, Roseau, South Castries

Eastern Zone – Mabouya Valley, Dennery, Desruisseaux, Micoud, Mon Repos

Southern Zone – Choiseul, Laborie, Soufriere, Vieux Fort South, Vieux Fort North

Saturday 31st of January will feature games in the Under 23 Competition in the Northern Zone at the La Clery Playing Field.   At 2.00 p.m. Central Castries will come up against Gros Islet and the 2nd game will feature Babonneau against La Clery at 4.00 p.m.

The Competition continues on Sunday 1st February featuring the Under 15 Competition.   In the Northern Zone games will be played at the Corinth Playing Field with Central Castries against Gros Islet at 2.00 p.m. and Babonneau against La Clery at 4.00 pm.  The Western Zone will feature 2 games at the Marigot Playing Field with Roseau against Canaries at 2.00 p.m. and South Castries against Anse La Raye at 4.00 p.m.

The Southern Zone will feature 2 games at the Dames Field in Vieux Fort featuring Vieux forth North against Choiseul at 2.00p.m. and Soufriere against Vieux Forth South at 4.00 p.m.  The last 2 games on the day will be played in the Eastern Zone at the Mon Repos Field featuring Dennery against Micoud at 2.00 p.m. and Mabouya Valley against Mon Repos at 4.00 p.m.

The games will continue on the following weekend.

Officials from the Ministry of Physical Development, Housing and Urban Renewal and the Saint Lucia National Housing Corporation, visited the Monchy Housing Development area to mark the completion of a major project on Wednesday.

Keys were handed over to the housing agency, under the Core Unit Construction component of the Shelter Development Programme. This project will provide settlement for 20 families being relocated from  Conway, Castries, while an additional 22 houses will be sold to interested low and middle income citizens.

Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal Stanley Felix said the programme is in delivery of government’s promise to make housing more affordable to Saint Lucians. Felix said it will offer the beneficiaries to move to a modern housing development area.

“Persons who are in need of shelter would be most pleased to know that after waiting for such a long time, that they are now in a position to collect the keys to their own home,” he said.

The minister said prices have been determined for the houses, but this must first be ratified and approved by cabinet. He however revealed that prices would be very affordable and should be somewhere under EC$200,000.

The Core Unit Construction Project will serve to assist other similar households in the future. The construction of the 42 low-cost housing units and associated infrastructure was funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The project was undertaken by Construction and Industrial Company Limited and managed by National Housing Corporation.

After a fairly pedestrian opening day, and a virtually disastrous second day, Stephanie Devaux-Lovell had her breakout performance on Wednesday.

In the qualifying phases of the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta, the 19-year-old Saint Lucian was knocked into the silver fleet, despite favourable conditions in races three and four. But in race five and six, she found her footting.

The event is a qualifying event for this year’s Pan American Games, and an essential qualifier for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.  Stephi is vying for one of three available spots at Pan Am.

According to her coach, Benjamin Todd, the youngster had excellent execution on Wednesday, overcoming strong winds and shift changes, and carrying out her pre-race plans and adjustments to the letter.

In race #5, with heavy winds and large consistent shifts, Stephi got off to a quick start. When the wind shifted in the middle of the race, when she was placed 15th overall, she made the necessary corrections to get her back into the contest on the downwind side, out-sailing her immediate rivals to end seventh.

It was a similar story in race #6 – a fast start, and solid position in the middle of the fleet. But Stephi also had to overcome a technical issue, as she developed a knot in her control lines.

Even though she began to fall behind as a result, the Saint Lucian sailor held her nerve and, according to Todd, “showed actual world-class downwind speed on the run.” She overtook the boats that had passed her previously and eventually crossed the line in sixth.

With two more days of sailing, Saint Lucia is in the driver’s seat as far as Pan Am qualification is concerned. “Today was a pleasure to coach Stephi,” said Todd. “[It was] a pleasure to watch her sail with such confidence in her decision-making and boat speed. It seems we may have turned a corner on two fronts. Both strong wind sailing and confidence in our pre-race planning.”