Sail-World.com : Sint Maarten Heineken Regatta to run Match Race

News Home

Text Only News

Marine Business News

Powerboat-World

World Cruising

2008-09 Volvo Race

Sail-World.com : Sint Maarten Heineken Regatta to run Match Race

Sint Maarten Heineken Regatta to run Match Race

'St Maarten - St.Maarten Heineken Regatta' Click Here to view large photo

The Sint Maarten Heineken Regatta will, for the first time in the history of Caribbean Regattas, run a match racing event just before the actual 2009 St.Maarten Heineken Regatta and offer prize money to the winners.

This event will be sponsored by Budget Marine who has been supporting the St.Maarten Heineken Regatta since its inception in a host of different forms, including pioneering the Commodores’ Cup. According to Budget Marine founder, Robbie Ferron, 'Sponsoring Match Racing is a great opportunity for Budget Marine to promote new and exciting forms of racing to the Caribbean'.

The Budget Marine Match Racing Cup will look to take advantage of the presence of the many top-level sailors that are so often present to crew the magnificent big boats that participate in the Heineken Regatta. These top sailors will have the opportunity to win the $5,000 USD first prize by coming a few days early. The rest of the crews and the early arrivers will have the opportunity to see some of the top world sailors in tight action very close to where the majority of the fleet will be anchored.

The race takes place in Jeanneau 20 boats with three man crew in the Simpson Bay lagoon. This will make it possible for the early arrivals and the boat crews to watch the racing from their dinghies and see world renowned yachtsmen like Peter Holmberg in action. The match racing will be open to 6 teams on an invitation basis. Interested persons with match racing experience are asked to request an invitation from the Regatta Organization at director@heinekenregatta.com.

The event takes place on Tuesday March 3rd 2009. On Wednesday and Thursday there is General Registration, and on Tuesday March 3rd there will be early registration for those participating in the Commodores Cup, the one day only pre event for the Heineken Regatta only for spinnaker boats which takes place in a windward leeward format. On Friday March 6th the first race of the three day St.Maarten Heineken Regatta starts with the traditional around the island race.

The addition of the match racing means that the Heineken Regatta now encompasses a range of sailing that spreads from the most intense and aggressive match racing on the one end of the spectrum to the laid back 'Open Class' where casino-like rating allocation complements real racing skill.

www.heinekenregatta.com

by Heather Tackling 8:11 PM Tue 14 Oct 2008 GMT

Click here for printer friendly version
Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.
If you want to send this story to a friend, please use link below
http://www.sail-world.com/USA/Sint-Maarten-Heineken-Regatta-to-run-Match-Race/49772

Click for further information on
North American News

Related News Stories:

21 Nov 2008	Int'l Melges 32 Class Assoc ISAF recognised
20 Nov 2008	A boost for high school sailing in the U.S
20 Nov 2008	Alamitos Bay Yacht Club's Turkey Day Regatta
19 Nov 2008	Offshore Sailing presentation Saturday Dec 6th
19 Nov 2008	Equipment for US 2010 ISAF Youth World Qualifier
18 Nov 2008	Etchells Class 2008 Pacific Coast Championship
18 Nov 2008	Rolex Farr 40 North American Championship
17 Nov 2008	Marion Bermuda Race ponder technology implication
12 Nov 2008	Tong breaks Long Beach to Cabo race record
12 Nov 2008	2008 Melges 24 NAC ends on a high note