American Stephan Baker dominates RenRe Junior Gold Cup
Stephan Baker of the U.S. won the 16th annual RenRe Junior Gold Cup. The 14-year-old Baker, from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., dominated the regatta with the low score of 14 points and finished 20 points ahead of Bermudian Christian Ebbin.
Baker has been almost untouchable on the Optimist circuit. He currently holds the title of overall winner at the South American and North American Championships, the Mar Del Plata regatta, the Orange Bowl regatta and the 2018 USA Optimist Team Trials along with the title of 2017 US National Champion. He was fourth in the 2017 World Championships in Thailand as well.
“The atmosphere and the water temperature make it really nice to sail here,” said Baker. “I liked sailing in the heavier winds. It was tough but nice and I enjoyed it. It just worked out.”
The RenRe Junior Gold Cup was created as a boutique world class youth regatta in Bermuda for local sailors to have the opportunity to sail with some of the world’s best on their home waters while also mingling with some of the world’s best match racers participating in the Argo Group Gold Cup.
Two sailors competing in the Argo Group Gold Cup, Taylor Canfield of the U.S. and Nicklas Dackhammar of Sweden, are past participants in the Junior Gold Cup.
Baker Wins!
Stephan Baker (USA) has won the 2018 RenRe Junior Gold Cup. Full report to follow.
Final top ten after 12 races, 1 discard
1. Stephan Baker, USA, 14 points
2. Christian Ebbin, BER, 34
3. Richard Schultheis, MLT, 34
4. Sebastian Kempe, BER, 55
5. Daniel Links, AUS, 64
6. Cosima Schlueter, GER, 72
7. Ahzai Smith, BER, 85
8. Magnus Ringsted, BER, 94
9. Charata MacKinnon, ARG, 102
10. Matt Ashwell, RSA, 103
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