Page 14 - ARUBA TODAY

A14 LOCAL
Friday 19 January 2018

Competition Builds in Countdown to 38th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

“Enjoying the sailing is a fices, docking, food stands
big part of the St. Maarten and beer tents. In addition,
Heineken Regatta and we The Yacht Club Port de Plai-
want to encourage cruis- sance will be offering free
ing boats out there and dockage in their South Ba-
show them that it’s very sin for competitors as their
easy to participate,” said way of saying thanks for
Hank Schmitt, a 30-year supporting the regatta this
supporter of Caribbean re- year.
SAINT MARTIN (January 15, gattas who sponsored the
2018) – With less than 50 class last year and will be Regatta Format
days before the start of the racing in it again this year The four-day event kicks off
38th St. Maarten Heineken with his Swan 48 Avoca- on Thursday, March 1, 2018
Regatta (March 1-4), the tion. “For competitors who with the Gill Commodore’s
entry list is rapidly grow- don’t want to worry about Cup. The optional event
ing, and already 45 teams stripping their boat down to is separately scored and
representing 13 countries get it race-ready or do any followed by an evening
are signed up to compete. major prep work, they can prize giving where winners
The regatta has been a key now compete in the Island are awarded Gill gear. On
event on the Caribbean Time Class.” Friday, the fleet embarks
race schedule since its in- on the event’s 26 nauti-
ception in 1980, attracting New and Improved Regat- cal mile Around the Island
world-class sailors – racing ta Village Announced Race before taking on a
monohulls, maxis and mul- A longtime goal for orga- series of windward-leeward
tihulls – to the island of Saint tactician this year. “This will KHS&S Contractors are nizers has been reached races on Saturday and a
Martin for four days of seri- be my tenth St. Maarten among those already com- this year with the addition single coastal race on Sun-
ous fun both on and off the Heineken Regatta with El mitted to returning and de- of a “Regatta Village” lo- day. Each day of racing is
water. Ocaso. The J/122 class is fending their 2017 Multihull cated at Princess Port de rounded out with serious
the premier racing boat and Bareboat Class victo- Paisance Resort and Ca- shore-side entertainment,
“Our registration numbers class in the Caribbean and ries, respectively. sino and the Yacht Club at including concerts and
are tracking close to last typically the largest class at For competitors looking Port de Plaisance (across parties.
year at this time, which is the regatta. The CSA rat- for a more relaxed experi- from race host St. Maarten
great news,” said Regatta ings are so close that you ence, the regatta offers Yacht Club). The venue, on Charter Options
Race Director Paul Miller, are finishing within seconds an “Island Time Class.” The the Dutch side of the island The regatta is well known
adding that despite Hurri- of each other.” Class offers competitors of Saint Martin in Cole Bay, for its large and competi-
cane Irma hitting Saint Mar- In addition to El Ocaso’s one around-the-buoy race will bring all the regatta tive charter classes, and a
tin this past September, the team, the Australian team per day with an 11 a.m. essentials together: hous- number of charter compa-
island is recovering in short onboard Morticia and the start, at a discounted entry ing registration, shore-side nies are onsite, offering an
order. “We have another U.S. based team onboard rate. entertainment, regatta of- array of different options to
great year of racing ahead accommodate a range of
and are seeing a lot of en- clients. Whether competi-
thusiasm from local and in- tors are looking to book a
ternational sailors alike.” single crew space on a
Coming from the U.K. is boat or for the full-service
Chris Body and his team on “soup-to-nuts” package,
the 40-foot J/122 El Ocaso. regatta organizers can di-
The boat won its class last rect sailors to the best fit.
year with a Michigan- For free concierge service,
based team onboard. contact regatta@heinek-
“The St. Maarten Heineken enregatta.com, +1 (721)
Regatta puts on some re- 544-2079
ally good racing, and it’s For up-to-date information
easy for a team to come regarding lodging, mari-
in from Europe or the U.S. nas, charter options and
and charter a boat to beyond, visit http://heinek-
compete,” said El Ocaso enregatta.com/
Boat Captain Bob Hillier, a To register for the 2018 event,
regatta veteran who will visit http://regattaguru.
be returning as the team’s com/heineken/100237q