ST. CROIX — The St. Croix Youth Sailing Association, Inc, a 501C3 organization, announced today via press release an ambitious fundraising campaign to expand the St. Croix training fleet to a world-class competitive level.<\/p>\n
The campaign seeks to raise $100,000 to fund the purchase of new Optimist and 420 racing boats and to add a first-ever Caribbean-based 29er Fleet.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Junior Sailors are bringing home big wins at our Caribbean regattas,\u201d said Katherine Hardee, an association parent and representative.<\/p>\n
St. Croix sent 22 youth sailors to the British Virgin Islands Dinghy Championships last month \u2013 the largest contingent of any island. The expanded fleet will increase the organization\u2019s competitive edge and open new opportunities for this and future youth sailing teams, according to the release. The fleet upgrade would make St. Croix a top training destination for off-island clubs and teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese kids are dedicated,\u201d Ms. Hardee said. \u201cThey are working hard, setting regatta records and learning valuable life lessons each time they go out on the water. We hope the community will support them in their goal to expand the training options for all of St. Croix\u2019s youth to a competitive worldwide level.\u201d The program has sent St. Croix sailors to the Optimist World Championships.<\/p>\n