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September 12th – Simpson Bay, St. Maarten – Bart’s Bash is a global sailing race which also functions as an annual fundraiser and participation in sailing campaign. The sailing community around the world sails on the same weekend, making this the largest sailing race in the world. The Sint Maarten Yacht Club hosted the event on September 10 and saw 32 teams compete, divided over 4 classes.
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The Bart’s Bash is an annual fundraiser and the SMYC was raising funds through a bake sale and 50/50 raffle for the Youth Sailing Program. Families (members, friends of the Yacht Club and parents of the children participating in the Youth Sailing Program) baked delicious cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and breads to sell. In addition, ZeeBest Bakery donated an assortment of fresh pastries. A total of $440 was raised through the bake sale and from the generous donation of the 50/50 winner which made it a fantastic success.
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The Laser class was very popular with 12 competitors. Taking first place was Benoit Meesemaecker from the St Barths Yacht Club, with Justin Pieterse from SXM winning the second place and racing coach Cindy Brin from St. Barths Yacht Club, sailing her Laser Radial at third place.
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The Optimist was won by Sarah Michaux, followed by Thomas Magras in second. Clement Le Normand was our third place winner in the Optimist class.
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RS Quest was won by Joris Vanden Eynde and his son Axel. Dax Henriquez sailed with Wabi Teunisse and took second place, followed by Louka Williams and Philippa Vriezen in third.
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In the RS Zest class the first place went to Rio Stomp, followed by the duo team of Feline Oosterhof and Paola Lapierre in second.
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We are most grateful for the interest in this event, for the amazing turnout, but also for all the volunteers who stepped up. We would like to thank Grace and Sam for coaching and Rikke and Hieke for selling our baked goods, and all others for buying and donating to our cause. We are looking forward to the start of the Grant Thornton Dinghy Championship Series in October! Said Saskia Revelman, Event Manager at the SMYC.
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The teams are getting ready for the Caribbean Dinghy Championship, that will be organized by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club during October 21-23, 2022. The top teams from around the Caribbean are flying in to Sint Maarten to participate for individual results per class, but as well for the national cup!
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What Caribbean Country will take home the cup? In 2019, Antigua was the winner of the nations cup.
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The Barts Bash was a qualifier for the Caribbean Dinghy Championship, together with the Dinghy National Championship and Soons Day 1, organized on September 24, the best sailors from Sint Maarten, per fleet, will be decided and will sail in the Caribbean Dinghy Championship. Said Sam Peeks, Racing Coach of the SMYC.
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Results of all 4 races can be found on smyc.com/bartsbash
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Pictures can be found online.
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For our entire race calendar and much more visit smyc.com/calendar
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About Bart’s Bash
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Taking place at 100s of venues, with 1000s of sailors in 100s of different classes of boat around the world. The event was founded in 2014 and verified by Guinness World Records as ‘The Largest Sailing Race in the World’. It is open to all sailing clubs, yacht clubs, schools, universities, scout groups, sea cadets, windsurfing clubs, individuals and any venue globally that can host a race and is inspired to take part. Bart’s Bash gives the sailing community a united opportunity to remember Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, a double Olympic medalist who tragically lost his life whilst training for the America’s Cup in 2013.
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The Andrew Simpson Foundation (ASF) uses this event alongside being a memorial, for an annual fundraising and participation campaign. Their mission is to give our youth the opportunity to learn and enjoy sailing and racing. Sailing nurtures and builds confidence, team skills, self-reliance, physical strength, quick thinking and a love for the environment.
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About the Sint Maarten Yacht Club:
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Established in 1980 with the goal to promote sailing on the island of St Maarten. It 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 team work, 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 destination it is located at. For more information visit www.smyc.com
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