Event
Back to full speed
After pulling off miracles to keep the Caribbean yachting circuit not just on the road post-pandemic, but positively thriving, it’s no holds barred once again in 2023 for another round of racing in the world’s greatest venues
Organisers ticked the box on hosting every major Caribbean regatta in 2022, a welcome feat after most events experienced a two-year pause due to the pandemic. Sailors from both sides of the pond and beyond responded favourably. Jeanne Kleene, event manager for the St Barths Bucket sums up the positive reaction to her event, which echoed regionally: ‘The energy and enthusiasm were fantastic! Following recent cancellations, lockdowns and travel restrictions the pent-up demand was evident, producing a robust, competitive fleet. We had 30 superyachts that enjoyed great racing in breathtaking conditions.’ Weather is the quintessential
carrot that entices sailors to travel thousands of miles by air or sea to the Caribbean. Sunny skies. Steady trade winds. Celsius degrees averaging 27. This is certainly true in winter and early spring when cold in northern climates means the racing calendar in those destinations is empty. However, weather isn’t the only decider for sailors to race in the Caribbean. ‘The well-promoted calendar and variety of regattas throughout the
Top: the Caribbean regatta circuit attracts world class teams like the Maxi 72 Bella Mente
Caribbean mean racing boats have a fantastic number of events to attend, each with its own flavour,’ says Michele Korteweg, president of the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA), director of the St Maarten Heineken Regatta and general manager of the St Maarten Yacht Club. ‘This makes it worthwhile for people to bring their boats here from Europe and the USA or fly down and charter. Many participants return year after year. The regattas play a big role in this but the individual islands also bring in required elements to support logistics, accommodation, culinary delights and set the complete atmosphere.’ Momentous birthdays in January
2019 enticed Dave Christopher of Vancouver BC, Canada and his friends to race charter the J/121 Wings for Barbados Sailing Week. ‘From that point on it was decided to do one Caribbean regatta a year. We were very lucky in 2020 in St Maarten. The last of us arrived back in Canada 24 hours before the border lockdown. In 2022 it was the BVI Spring Regatta. In 2023 we are considering Antigua Sailing Week,’ says Christopher.
The 2022-launched IMA Caribbean Maxi Challenge proved an incentive for maxi yachts to sail at least four regattas a season. The RORC Caribbean 600, St Maarten Heineken Regatta, Les Voiles de St Barths Richard Mille, and Antigua Sailing Week were Challenge events. Some 30 maxis accepted including the Farr 100 Leopard; George David’s Rambler 88; Wendy Schmidt’s new Botín 85 Deep Blue; and Hap Fauth and Jim Swartz’s Maxi 72, Belle Mente. I love Poland, a Volvo 70, took the Challenge’s inaugural trophy. The 2023 Challenge will include three events: RORC Caribbean 600, St Maarten Heineken Regatta and Les Voiles de St Barths Richard Mille. The islands’ idyllic laidback vibe
is outfitted today by contemporary infrastructure. For example, ‘most of the islands now have decent docking facilities and amenities and this has played a major part in increasing regatta participation for the modern- day racers,’ says Chris Worme, vice commodore of the Barbados Cruising Club, which hosts Barbados Sailing Week. Free dockage is a differentiator
SEAHORSE 75
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CHRISTOPHE JOUANY
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