Budget Marine Match Racing Cup 2011

by Heather Tackling on 2 Nov 2010 The Budget Marine Match Racing Cup which will take place March 1st 2011, will once again showcase the skills and abilities of professional skippers from around the world.

This third edition of Match Racing which is a pre-event for the 31st St.Maarten Heineken Regatta will open its doors and host sailors from around the world. In the past teams from Poland, USVI, the United States and Russia have participated in this event and organizers are looking forward to hosting international sailors. Peter Holmberg of the USVI has won this race the first 2 years and many wonder if he will take home first place for a third time. Budget Marine is the title sponsor and is offering $10,000 in prize money this year.

Match Racing started its journey with the America’s Cup races over 100 years ago and has been evolving steadily since then. History tells us that the first match race in one-design boats was the Omega Gold Cup in Bermuda over 50 years ago. The Budget Marine Match Racing Cup will use identical Jenneau SunFast 20’s for the race which are owned and operated by Lagoon Sailboat Rentals here in St.Maarten. With places up for grabs for eight teams, it is imperative that those who wish to partake send in their sailing CV’s to the regatta office at regatta2(at)heinekenregatta.com Once the selection process has been made teams will be notified of their participation in this third edition Match racing event.

The organizing committee has gone to great lengths to make sure that each year this event remains competitive and professional while still allowing the participants to enjoy the near perfect conditions of Caribbean sailing. It is their goal to host teams from around the word and showcase what the tiny island has to offer the world of sailing. Past participants of this regatta such as Peter Isler, Gavin Brady and Eugeny Nikiforov go head to head for the shot at taking home the grand prize, but Peter Holmberg has steadfastly held them at bay.

Once teams have been selected to participate in this Match Racing Cup they must place a $500 deposit to secure their spot. Entry fee is minimal and once selected teams will be notified immediately. Applications are being accepted from all sailors, male or female who think they have what it take to compete. An ISAF ID is appreciated when sending in your information. Organizers are pleased to say there has never been a lack of interest for this race so make sure you send in your information as early as possible. The final date to send in your information is January 7th 2011, applications will not be accepted after this date.

The Notice of Race for this event will be posted online at www.heinekenregatta.com for those who are interested in more information and any additional questions can be sent to director(at)heinekenregatta.com