April 3, 2023 – Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten
Spectacular sailing conditions, beach time and a leisurely lunch were the key ingredients enjoyed by 8 sailing teams, competing in 3 classes in the Simpson Bay to Friar’s Bay race this past Sunday. Hosted by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club in collaboration with the Club de Voile de Friar’s Bay and their new association; Saint Martin Voile pour Tous (SMVT).
Race Committee prepared a morning starts in Simpson Bay in 17 – 20 knots gusting winds, and send the Multihull fleet off on a Course to Indigo Bay, and had the CSA 1 class racing a windward-leeward course in Simpson Bay.
The Multihull fleet saw 4 Diam 24’s and old time beauty trimaran Tryst. The CSA 1 fleet consisted of the J70 Franny, J105 Solstice and Melges 24 Caraibes Diesel. Unfortunately Franny his rigging gave in which resulted in the mast coming down 20 seconds in the first race. Luckely nobody was hurt.
Solstice managed to win the first race off Caraibes Diesel, and in the Multihull Class Diam team Air Nest won the first race.
After the first race all competitors gathered together at the race committee boat again, where the Race Officer, Wessel Tangenberg send them off around the windward mark and off to Friar’s Bay, a beautiful coastal race.
Solstice and Caraibes Diesel ended up in a very close fight for line honors in the second race and had a intense battle in the Anguilla chanel, beating up to Friar’s Bay. Solstice finished 2 seconds in front of the Melges 24 team and took the win.
In the Diam 24 fleet the race committee saw 2 Texan Teams on Sint Maarten, to charter a Diam 24 and participate in a great weekend on the water. Philippe Betler on MDN and Bill Coon on Crybaby. Regular Diam 24 teams Merlin and Airnest were represented as well.
Airnest cross the finish line in Friar’s Bay, just 40 seconds ahead of MDN in 20 kt wind conditions.
As soon as the competitors reached Friar’s Bay they were finished by the race committee of SMVT, anchored their boats and were taxied to shore for a cold beer from Pelikaan Brewery and a BBQ Lunch organized by the hosting volunteers. Lots of friends, spouses and children were gathered at Friar’s Bay to see the boats come in and join the sailors on the social part of this event.
On Sunday, the Diams were ready for more racing and fleet-organizer Pierre Altier scheduled organized windward leeward racing in the flat bay of Marigot, to add additional rankings for the 4th event of the World Diam Tour Caribbean.
“A collaboration with the Friar’s Bay Club made this great event possible, together we teamed up and made it a great event, said Event Manager Saskia Revelman”. The Club in Friar’s Bay organized a mini regatta in the morning for their young dinghy sailors. “We are planning to make this an annual event in collaboration with the club on the French side, the combination between racing and socializing on the beach is much appreciated by competitors, Revelman continued”.
After lunch, prizes were awarded to the winning teams after organizers shown appreciation for all volunteers involved!
Results can be found on https://smyc.com/friars-bay-race/ and all pictures can be found here: https://smyc.com/photos/
Sint Maarten Yacht Club
The club was established in 1980 with the goal to promote sailing on the island of St. Maarten. The Sint Maarten Yacht Club organizes multiple sailing events throughout the year, with the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta as its crown jewel. A youth sailing program stimulates local youngsters to become part of the sailing community, teaching them life skills like teamwork, perseverance and confidence. Always looking to further develop sailing on St. Maarten, the Club is active in promoting the sport, as well as the beautiful Caribbean island destination of St. Maarten. For more information visit www.smyc.com