Thad Lettsome sails to the Paris Olympics

Twenty-two-year-old laser sailor Thad Lettsome has secured his spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, becoming the first BVI sailor at the Olympics since 1996.

Lettsome, who has been competing as a sailor for the Virgin Islands since he was six years old, joins 400m hurdler Kyron McMaster as a confirmed BVI athlete set to compete at Paris 2024.

With this qualification, Lettsome has also etched his name in BVI sailing history behind 2x Olympian Robby Hirst who represented the BVI in the Laser event at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Lettsome’s placement was based on his performance at the Last Chance Regatta in Hyères, France from April 21-27. The youngster placed 31st out of 61 sailors to edge up his rankings.

“This is an historic occasion for the Virgin Islands, the Royal BVI Yacht Club and for the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC),” said BVIOC President Ephraim Penn. “One of our mandates is to increase the number of sports represented at major games.  

The BVI Olympic Committee said Lettsome was one of three sailors eligible for the two available spots for the Universality Place. These are slots reserved for countries that are traditionally underrepresented in the Olympics. For the 2024 Games, the International Olympic Committee reserved 102 universality slots across all sports.

“The Royal BVI Yacht Club is over the moon for Thad!” said RBVIYC Commodore Eddie Brockbank. “Since his first days learning to sail with us, he has shown talent, commitment and determination to reach his goals. We are delighted to have BVI sailing represented at the Olympic Games again and could not be more proud to support Thad at this incredible opportunity.”

McMaster and Lettsome are members of the BVIOC’s current roster of elite athletes benefiting from the Tahesia Harrigan-Scott Elite Athlete Scholarship (THSEAS) programme. 

Funds from the THSEAS are entirely dedicated to the development of the BVIOC’s elite athletes identified by their respective National Federations and confirmed by the International Federations as being on track to compete for medals at major games. The roster of athletes each receive a monthly stipend to assist them on their journey.