Local News
Thad Lettsome: The Sailing Prodigy Making Waves for the British Virgin Islands
In the world of sailing, the name Thad Lettsome is rapidly rising to prominence. Hailing from the British Virgin Islands, he’s currently making waves as he prepares to represent his homeland at the Pan American (PANAM) Games 2023 in Chile.
Born on January 17, 2002, this 17-year-old prodigy is the first sailor to proudly hoist the BVI flag at the Pan Am Games since the 1990s when he represented the BVI in the 2021 Junior PANAM Games in Cali, Colombia.
Competing against a fleet of 14 sailors aged between 17 and 22, Lettsome secured 6th place overall In the Laser class, and 2nd place in the U-21 category, marking a historic achievement for both himself and the British Virgin Islands.
Thad’s journey, however, started years ago in the Optimist class under the guidance of coach Omari Scott at the Royal BVI Yacht Club Youth Sailing Program. His early achievements, including a win in the age 10 and under White Fleet at the International Optimist Regatta in St. Thomas, set the stage for a remarkable sailing career.
Recognizing Lettsome’s potential, he transitioned to larger vessels, including the Zoom 8 and the 13.6-foot Laser. With each step, he continued to rise in the sailing world, achieving successes that hinted at his future greatness.
His dedication to the sport led him to further hone his skills, including training with the Royal Canadian Yacht Club and joining the Canadian Laser Radial National Team Training Camp in Toronto. The guidance of experienced coaches, including Brenda Bowskill, who represented Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympics, has only added to his potential.
Currently attending Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts, Lettsome also represents his school in sailing competitions.
His recent accomplishments include a 10th-place finish at the U.S. Laser Nationals in Houston, Texas, followed by a stellar 14th place out of 58 international sailors at the Youth Sailing World Championship in Corpus Christi, Texas. He continued to impress, securing 4th place overall in Laser Radials at the CORK International Regatta in Kingston, Canada.
Thad aspires to secure a medal at the Youth Sailing World Championships in the Laser Radial class, while continuing to excel in regattas across North America.
In the long run, his ultimate dream is to switch to the Laser Standard class and win a medal at the Olympics for the British Virgin Islands.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has launched an investigation following an armed robbery at a popular bar in the Sea Cows Bay area late Monday night.
According to police, a group of armed individuals entered the establishment on the night of May 12, demanding valuables from patrons and staff. While no injuries were reported, the incident has raised concerns about safety in the usually tranquil community.
Officers responded to the scene and are actively working to identify those involved. The RVIPF has confirmed that investigators are maintaining close contact with key witnesses and gathering critical information as the inquiry continues.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or who has relevant information to come forward. Tips can be provided confidentially to the Intelligence Unit at 368-9339, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS) or from overseas at (284) 800-8477.
As Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week kicks off from May 12 to 16, health officials in the Virgin Islands are calling on residents to take proactive steps to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
Acting Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer Shamelle Thomas said this year’s campaign, themed “Small Bite, Big Threat – Stop Disease Transmission, Start Source Reduction,” aims to empower communities to combat the spread of illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
“The message is clear,” Thomas emphasized. “While the mosquito may be small, its bite carries a serious threat to public health.”
Officials are urging residents to eliminate standing water around their homes, a critical breeding ground for mosquitoes. “Source reduction is the most effective way to prevent outbreaks and protect our communities,” Thomas added, noting that even small amounts of water can become mosquito nurseries.
However, inconsistent community participation has been a persistent challenge. “People are not maintaining their properties or properly managing stored water, partly due to the intermittent water supply,” Thomas said. “We want to remind the community that vector control is not solely the government’s responsibility, but a shared community effort.”
To mark the week, the Environmental Health Division will host a series of public outreach activities, including an art and poetry competition for students, school visits, and an expo aimed at encouraging behavior change.
Residents are also encouraged to inspect and clean water containers weekly, properly dispose of waste that can collect water, use screens on windows and doors, and wear protective clothing or mosquito repellents when necessary.
Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week serves as a critical reminder of the connection between mosquitoes and the potentially severe illnesses they transmit, underscoring the importance of community action in reducing these risks.
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has credited the British Virgin Islands’ commitment to sweeping governance reforms for avoiding direct rule by the United Kingdom, a critical moment in the Territory’s political history.
Speaking in the House of Assembly, Premier Wheatley highlighted the dedication of public officers who were instrumental in implementing the necessary reforms to preserve local self-governance.
“The period challenged us as British Virgin Islanders to the core and forced us to confront some harsh realities of our governance deficiencies,” Wheatley said. “We had to make the choices necessary to uphold the values imparted to us by our fore parents. We had to defend who we are as a people and protect our future aspirations.”
The reform process, initiated in response to the 2022 British Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report, required the establishment of new structures, processes, and procedures to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust. Despite these challenges, Wheatley praised the resilience of public officers who managed both the reforms and their regular duties under demanding conditions.
“Our public officers developed and implemented the structures, processes, and procedures necessary for the reforms while simultaneously managing daily operations,” he said. “This was especially challenging given the systemic conditions highlighted in the COI Report.”
The Government’s recently submitted Self-Assessment Report to the UK is a critical component in determining whether the Order in Council to partially suspend the British Virgin Islands Constitution will be lifted.
Wheatley expressed optimism that the Territory is now on a path toward greater self-governance, supported by a newly approved Governance Reform Transition Plan, which outlines the next steps in the ongoing transformation.
“Today is a day we should all applaud,” Wheatley said. “It symbolizes our collective resilience and commitment to the ideals that make us British Virgin Islanders and commits us to the pursuit of self-determination.”
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