J/24s lovin' Grenada Sailing Week
by J/Boats 7 Feb 2022 04:45 AEDT
27-30 January 2022
Grenada Sailing Week 2022 © Grenada Sailing Week
The 2021 edition of the Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week will go down in the history books as one of the prettiest regattas on record.
Four straight days of magnificent weather, 10-20 kts tradewinds from the easterly quadrants, warm temperatures, and sunny skies... simply incredible sailing.
The regatta consisted of a race out to Carriacou Island, two days of festivals and local day sailing, then a race back from Carriacou to Grenada.
Hosting the regatta was the Petite Calivigny Yacht Club, with sponsor support from the Grenada Tourism Authority.
Day one - Blast to Carriacou
The first race from St George's Harbor to Carriacou was about 30.0nm. With bright sunshine, tropical heat, and spectacular scenery, it was a stunning day on the water for 180 sailors grinning from ear to ear. At last regatta sailing was back in the Caribbean! Grenada and its islands delivered an amazing backdrop to a memorable day on the water. Starting off Grand Anse Beach, the fleet enjoyed a beat along the leeward coast of Grenada. After passing north of Grenada, the boats passed the uninhabited islands of Caille and Ronde and over the live submarine volcano of Kick-'Em-Jenny. In open water, the breeze piped up to a solid 15 knots and a slight sea state. Superb conditions for the approach to Carriacou, were marked by the stunning vistas of Large and Frigate Islands. The race finished in the shelter of Tyrell Bay Marina.
Leading the J/24 class home was Robbie Yearwood's DIEHARD, ahead of Peter Armstrong's SHAKIN' and Gus Reader's FADEAWAY.
Day four - Screaming finale
The Carriacou to Grenada Race pitched the fleet into the Atlantic Ocean for a race to Le Phare Bleu Marina, sponsored by Mount Gay Rum for a glittering prize-giving. The international fleet said adieu to Carriacou and headed for the West Coast of Grenada for a taste of the big broad Atlantic. With three-meter seas and full trade winds it was a rollercoaster 30-mile broad reach to the northern tip of Grenada. After passing the outlying Ronde Island, surrounded by many other islands including Diamond Island, Caille Island, and Les Tantes. The boats sailed along the reefs in sight of the rain forest interior of North Grenada before finishing at the picturesque marina of Le Phare Bleu, located next to the exclusive resort of Calivigny Island.
Robbie Yearwood's J/24 DIEHARD scored a hat trick of wins for the regatta to win the J/24 Class. It was wet and wild on board DIEHARD as they screeched away on a broad reach in big seas with their spinnaker flying for most of the race! Gus Reader's FADEAWAY was runner-up and Peter Armstrong's SHAKIN' third with Mark Solomon's FRIGATE completing the J/24 scoreboard.
The Prize Giving at Le Phare Blue Resort was held on the lawn of the exclusive seaside resort with Mount Gay Rum providing refreshments as the grills were fired up for the final sumptuous barbeque of the regatta. Grenada Sailing Week is back! Make sure you book for next year! 29 January - 3 February, 2023.
More information at grenadasailingweek.com.