The World Diam Tour Caribbean 2023/2024 has concluded, marking the end of the second season filled with fierce competition and camaraderie. The Diam 24 fleet showcased their impressive skills throughout the season, which was divided into a training schedule and a racing schedule. This season, for the first time, the fleet partnered with the Sint Maarten Yacht Club to reduce the sailors’ workload and elevate the organization to the next level.
The One Design race boats were a spectacular sight on the water, and the fleet’s growing size has attracted significant attention. With a total of 10 Diams participating this season, the fleet is expanding and hopes to see even more growth next season.
This season, two new teams joined the fleet: Buzz Race Team from the British Virgin Islands and Miha from Barbados. Also, St Barth returned for a second season with their own boat, Diam “Look Up.” For the second season, team ASMDA competed on the water with the young sailors from Mont des Accords High School.On the rental fleet, more interest was shown by teams from the USA, including Adam Holmes from NYC.
The season kicked off in November 2023 with the first official race of the racing schedule, the SMYC Grand Prix, held in the waters of Great Bay. This race, exclusively for Diam 24 boats, saw six teams competing. Trophies were awarded to team Karibuni for the first-place position, followed by team Cry Baby in second, and team ASMDA in third.
Early December witnessed the Course de L’Alliance, a challenging three-day regatta. This event, transitioning from the training schedule, saw six boats racing to St Barth, Anguilla, and back to Sint Maarten.
January brought the second SMYC Keelboat Race and the first keelboat races featuring the Diam 24 OD. This race was part of the training schedule, and seven Diam 24 boats navigated the waters of Simpson Bay and Indigo Bay.
The Caribbean Multihull Challenge in early February marked the second regatta of the World Diam Tour racing schedule. This three-day event attracted ten Diam 24 boats, with Team Merlin clinching the overall win, followed by team Karibuni and team Look Up in second and third places.
As a precursor to the prestigious St Maarten Heineken Regatta, the St Maarten Heineken Regatta Warm-Up saw eight Diam 24 boats competing. This race was part of the training schedule, allowing teams to fine-tune their strategies for the major event.
February’s highlight was the Sint Maarten Heineken Regatta, the biggest event of the season. Ten Diam 24 boats participated in this four-day regatta, which was part of the training schedule. Team Merlin won the regatta, with Buzz Race Team and team Karibuni taking second and third places.
In April, the third edition of the Friars Bay Race took place. This race was part of the racing schedule and consisted of two days of racing. Six Diam 24 boats and one monohull competed. The first day saw the boats sail from Simpson Bay to Friars Bay, where participants enjoyed a delightful BBQ and drinks. The second day concluded back at Simpson Bay, with team Cry Baby taking the overall win. Buzz Race Team came in second and team Karibuni in third.
The season culminated with the Karibuni Grand Prix on May 11, 2024, the last race of the racing schedule. This final race saw seven Diam 24 boats compete, sailing to Orient Bay and Pinel Island. The day concluded with a party at the Karibuni restaurant on Pinel Island, featuring delicious food and drinks. Team Karibuni won the race, followed by team Cry Baby and team Look Up. The festivities included the awarding of the overall World Diam Tour Caribbean trophy to Team Karibuni, celebrating their outstanding performance throughout the racing season.
In addition to the boat winners, the crew ranking was also announced. Tess Reshetiloff and Leo Whitting ended in third place with 33 points, Pierre Altier secured second place with 41 points, and Joris Vanden Eynde and Erick Clement were the fleet winners, both with 45 points.
“Sailing season 2023/2024 was a fantastic year for the Sint Maarten Diam 24 fleet. Ten boats in less than three years—how many more can we get?” said Pierre Altier, Fleet Representative. “I am looking forward to the next sailing season, filled with exciting races and training sessions, and hopefully, an even larger fleet,” he continued.
Next season will kick off in November 2024 with the SMYC Grand Prix and will be followed by a similar schedule as 2023/2024. We look forward to even more exciting races and remarkable achievements in the next season.
Thank you to all participants, volunteers, race officers, and staff for sharing this wonderful sailing adventure in the warm, beautiful waters of Sint Maarten. For the overall boat and crew ranking and the result per race please visit: https://smyc.com/world-diam-tour-caribbean/
Join us next season and make history in the Diam 24 One Design world!