The prestigious La Course de L’Alliance sailing event successfully concluded its 20th edition this last weekend. The three-day regatta featured 17 boats across three different classes, each showcasing remarkable skill and teamwork in a series of challenging races across the Caribbean.
Event Kick-Off and First Leg to St. Barth’s
The event started on Thursday, November 30th, with a smooth registration process, where teams collected their racing kits, including custom event shirts and well-curated goodie bags, provided by the sponsor of the event; FKG Marine. The evening’s skippers briefing, led by Race Officer Wessel Tangenberg, provided essential updates and strategies, setting a tone of anticipation and excitement. On December 1st, the spirited teams embarked on the first leg of the race towards St. Barth’s. The day was marked by beautiful reaching conditions in a medium breeze. The leg concluded with a festive gathering at the Saint Barth’s Yacht Club, where sailors relaxed and celebrated with refreshing drinks and a sumptuous paella feast on the beach. The daily winners were in the CSA 1 Fleet: Dauntless, in the Diam 24 Fleet: Team ADH16 and in the CSA Multihull Fleet: Oceans Tribute.
Challenging Journey to Anguilla
The race’s second day posed a more challenging and longer route to Anguilla. The Diam 24 class, especially, showcased their agility and speed, deciding their course in collaboration with Race Officer Wessel Tangenberg. This leg was a testament to the teams’ strategic planning and adaptability, with many choosing to unfurl their spinnakers, adding a vibrant spectacle to the race. The arrival in Anguilla was met with a warm reception, allowing teams to unwind and prepare for the final stretch. On the second racing the following teams were too strong for the rest of the competitors: in the CSA 1 Fleet: Melges 24 Team IWW, in the Diam 24 Fleet: Team ADH16 and in the CSA Multihull Fleet: Seaduction.
Final Leg and Celebratory Conclusion
The concluding leg on the third day was notably more challenging due to fluctuating wind patterns. However, the sailors adeptly navigated these conditions, with the first Diams reaching St. Maarten after an intense 2-hour race. The results of the last racing day concluded in Maëlia in the CSA 1 Fleet, ADH16 in the Diam 24 Fleet and Seaduction in the CSA Multihull Fleet. The finale was a celebration of the sailors’ resilience and the spirit of sailing. An award ceremony honored the top performers in each class, applauding their exceptional skill and sportsmanship.
The 20th edition of La Course de L’Alliance was not just a competition; it was a vibrant festival of sailing, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. The event successfully fostered a sense of community among the sailors, volunteers, and spectators, leaving an indelible mark on all those who participated.
This years addition to the fleet was the Dutch Sailing Team ‘Here amongst the Cats’, sailing a chartered Oceanis 46 ft monohull. This team signed up for the ‘Round the Rocks Regatta’ and completed a sprint to Statia on Wednesday November 29th, and sailed back to Simpson Bay on Thursday, to join the Course de l’Alliance with the rest of the fleet on December first. Skipper Hans v.d. Koppel commented on the event: “What a great way to explore more of the Caribbean Islands! The sailing conditions were beautiful and the team had lots of fun. We will be back next year!” More information about the Round the Rocks Regatta can be found here.
Final overall results:
CSA 1 Results:
- Team Island Water World 1
- Maëlia
- Dauntless
- Team Budget Marine
- Caraibes Diesel
- Flying Nemo
- Moondance
- Here Among The Cats
Diam 24 Results:
- ADH16
- Cry Baby
- Karabuni
- Airnest
- Merlin
- Look UP
CSA Multihull Results:
- Oceans Tribute
- Seaduction
- Imhotep
In a thrilling culmination to the event, Team Island Water World 1 emerged as the absolute winners, being crowned the overall winner of the event. Their consistent performance and exceptional sailing prowess throughout the event earned them the top spot on the podium, much to the admiration of their peers and spectators.
The success of the 20th edition of La Course de L’Alliance would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsor, FKG Marine. Their commitment to promoting sailing and supporting this event is deeply appreciated.
Special thanks are also extended to the facilitators on St. Barth’s and Anguilla: the Saint Barths Yacht Club and the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club. Their invaluable assistance and hospitality played a crucial role in the smooth execution of the race.
We look forward to the next edition, where we will once again celebrate the spirit of sailing in the Caribbean.