Share this story
By Neto Baptiste
An 11-member team has been selected to defend Antigua and Barbuda’s Caribbean Dinghy Championships and hunt a seventh straight title when the event is held in St. Maarten from October 22 to October 25.
The team is bolstered by a number of experienced campaigners including Rhone Kirby and Shanoy Malone.
Coach and a former top international sailor, Karl James, describes the team as a diverse blend of new and experienced talents.
“We have some beginners or new people to international or to regional competition. We have a female team, so that is quite exciting for me and Isaiah Tonge and Ethan Bailey are new to regattas overseas. We have a blend of experienced sailors where Rhone Kirby and Junior Sportsman of the Year, Shanoy Malone, who have been winning their classes over the years, competing for Antigua and Tyden Jones as well, is quite experienced. I’m looking forward to the newbies to see what is there to take and for the veterans to help us to win the trophy again,” he said.
Antigua and Barbuda won its sixth consecutive Nations Trophy when they dominated the field during the 2025 Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) Caribbean Dinghy Championship, hosted here in Antigua from October 24 to 26 last year.
James says the aim is always the same for him and his team.
“I never get tired of winning and I assume the new guys on the block are interested in making sure that they retain the title. One of the things I would say, we don’t know what the other people have been doing in recent times, but we have been training quite rigorously so I’m hoping that with all the training that we’re able to bring back the trophy again,” the coach said.
Team Antigua and Barbuda are scheduled to travel by boat to St Maarten and arrive before midday on Thursday.
Team Antigua and Barbuda: Rhone Kirby, Shanoy Malone, Tyden Jones, Lluc Agusti, Ethan Bailey, Isaiah Tonge, Liya Goodwin, Kadia Lee, Owen Direnzo, Ruben Van Hest.