National sailor Andrew Lewis earned a hard-fought bronze in the International Laser Full Rig division of the 2013 Lauderdale Yacht Club Olympic Classes Ocean Regatta in Florida, USA from 8 to 10 February. Altogether, Lewis tallied 31 points after contesting eight gruelling stages of Laser class sailing over the three-day period.

He finished behind eventual winner Karl-Martin Rammo of Estonia (9pts) and silver medalist Robert Davis of Canada (15pts). American sailors, Mattias Lindfors (32pts) and Erik Bowers (41pts) finished fourth and fifth respectively out of the 15 contestants. During the three-day, eight-race event, Lewis maintained consistency with 3rd and 4th finishes, and eventually capturing bronze on the final day .

Preparing for and competing just ahead of the Carnival season, Trinidad and Tobago’s first ever Olympic Laser Class athlete said the following about his return to competitive sailing. “When I went to the Lauderdale Yacht Club Olympic Classes Regatta, I felt refreshed after my showing in Miami. It was my first regatta for the season and I was happy to be back out on the water competing. When I moved on to the Lauderdale regatta, I more or less took that momentum I gained from Miami and applied it to the conditions there. I enjoyed the races and it showed as I was able to win my first medal for the season in claiming the bronze. I think this is a good start and I want to push on from here.”

Lewis’ next event is likely to be in the Sunshine State of Florida towards the end of February.