Young Vincentian Sailor representing SVG at PanAm Games in Chile
Scarlett Hadley, a student at Girls High School in Kingstown, will represent St Vincent and the Grenadines at the PanAm Games in Chile, which will take place from October 25 to November 5, 2023. This is the first time an SVG sailor has been chosen to compete in such a renowned event.
Scarlett began sailing at the Vincy Sailing Club seven years ago and competed in her first competition, the Bequia Junior Regatta, in 2018.
She pleased World Sailing Coach Rob Holden and was chosen to be a part of the World Sailing Emerging Nations Programme in 2020, mid-pandemic.
Her dedication to the program and to training on and off the water was recognized by World Sailing, the SVG Olympic Committee, and the region’s sailing organizations, and the PanAm Sailing Organization granted her a seat in the Games earlier this year.
She will compete in ten races over the course of nine days against Olympic sailors from North, South, and Central America, as well as the Caribbean Islands. “Enjoy this amazing experience Scarlett, but mostly have fun!” stated Anna Tunnicliffe, a USA Olympic gold medalist and Scarlett’s online coach.
Because competitive sailing necessitates a high degree of mental and physical fitness, she has been working with Coach Lindon James from Be Fit Movement SVG in addition to her on-water training. He went on to say, “Scarlett’s work ethic is amazing, her strength and condition has improved tremendously” .
The sailing conditions in Algarrobo, Chile, are 12’C, which is much colder than the waters of SVG. Rooster UK, a UK Sailing Supplier, was eager to assist Scarlett and provided her with wetsuits and thermal gear to keep her warm.
The Argentina Sailing Federation is assisting her with the Olympic class boat she will sail, and Digicel SVG has generously paid towards the acquisition of a new sail.
Scarlett spends most of her spare time teaching Vincy kids to sail, teaching them new skills and introducing them to opportunities in the yachting sector. She actually gives back to the youth of these lovely islands.
