Sport fishing & sailing take center stage on the Spice Island of Grenada

Jose “Yoyo” Berrios Photo

There’s double the fun for water sport enthusiasts this month on the southern Caribbean island of Grenada. Sport fishermen can enter the 43rd Budget Marine Spice Island Billfish Tournament (MSIB), set for January 25-29, while sailors can register for the Grenada Sailing Festival, taking place January 27-31.

Over the years, a participation and catch rate—such as the near record 52 boats and 247 anglers who collectively released 95 Atlantic blue marlin in 2011—has put the MSIB Tournament on the map as one of the “must-dos” in the Caribbean. In addition, two-time title sponsor, Budget Marine, a St. Maarten-based chandlery with 13 locations throughout the islands, is sponsoring a nine-foot Ultra-Light AB Model dinghy with a 9.8-hp Tohatsu 2-stroke outboard engine as the prize for the first team to catch a Grand Slam (release of a blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish all on the same boat on the same day) at this Grenada Yacht Club-based tournament. www.sibtgrenada.com.

Similarly, it is the strong winter tradewinds and elite international and local fleets that make for stiff competition at the Grenada Sailing Festival. Held at Camper & Nicholson’s 170-slip Port Louis Marina in the capitol of St. George’s, over 40 racing and cruising yachts are expected to enter, including Charisma, a 57-foot classic racing sloop, and Maxi IDEA, a 78-foot high-tech carbon fiber Riechel & Pugh. This four-day regatta is hailed as an excellent ‘tune-up’ for the Caribbean racing season ahead.

Then, why not stick around the following weekend (February 4-5) when the Grenada Sailing Festival Camper & Nicholson’s Racing Series features a just-as-competitive local workboat fleet and a huge party on Grand Anse Beach. grenadasailingfestival.com

Casa de Campo Sailing Week 2012 debuts

The Dominican Republic is making its mark on the international sailing world. Not only has the northcoast town of Cabarete become renowned as a Laser training base for Olympic hopefuls in the region, but opportunities for larger racing yachts are expanding as well. The Casa de Campo Yacht Club will expand its popular Presidente Cup Regatta to a full week, from February 7-12, and call it International Casa de Campo Sailing Week. The first 10 international yachts to register will receive free dockage and a $1500 travel reimbursement.

“Our full-service marina and all the amenities of Casa de Campo resort, combined with ideal sailing conditions, we hope will enable us to turn Casa de Campo Sailing Week into a prestigious international sailing event,” says Rafid Ynirio, Yacht Club Secretary of the Casa de Campo Yacht Club (CCYC).

Racing, spinnaker cruising, non-spinnaker racing and multihull yachts are all invited to enter for four days of racing, including both round-the-island and round-thebuoys courses. For more information, email Ynirio at ccyc@ marinacasadecampo.com.

St. Lucia making way for cruisers, racing sailors return to St. Thomas and BVI’s host pirate ‘Fungatta.’

BVI hosts pirate-themed ‘Fungatta’

Dean Barnes Photo

A ‘Ding Dong’ start, a Crazy Eights course and the Pirate’s Ball are all part of the fun at the Gustav Wilmerding Regatta. It is hosted by the West End Yacht Club (WEYC) on Tortola on December 3rd. “This is an ‘all comers’ regatta that celebrates the local pirate hero of Great Thatch island,” says organizer, Mike Kirk. “Like any fun regatta, showing up at registration for the Friday night (December 2nd) party can get visitors a ride on one of the local entrant’s boats—usually for the price of a six-pack.”
Wilmerding, an 18th century Danish pirate who confined his plundering to the British Virgin Islands, was known to always ring a bell when he returned from a successful raid. Therefore, organizers have dubbed the start of this one-day regatta as the “Ding Dong Mark.” The pursuit-style start out of Soper’s Hole sends the fleet out on a course dubbed the “Crazy Eights,” in honor of the pirate’s most prized booty, and into the unpredictable winds and currents surrounding Wilmerding’s former hide-out on Great and Little Thatch islands. Then it’s over to The Bight off Norman Island and Pirate’s Bight Bar before the return race back to Tortola. There will be the usual Pirate’s Ball awards party at the Jolly Roger Restaurant after racing ends, which is where all entered yachts win a rum ration and prizes.
The Gustav Wilmerding Regatta is one of the WEYC’s annual ‘Fungattas.’ For more information, call (284) 495-4559.

St. Lucia welcomes yachtsmen

The picturesque peaks of the Pitons; activities ranging from hiking a volcano to scuba diving in a marine park; and two full-service marinas and an international airport with direct flights to the U.S. and Europe. These are all just some reasons why the Windward Island of St. Lucia is so attractive to visitors. Now, thanks to the efforts of the St. Lucia Ministry of Tourism and its Yachting Director, Cuthbert Didier, this 238-square-mile island located south of Martinique and north of St. Vincent is especially welcoming to yachtsmen.
More specifically, in a bid to boost visitation by private and charter yachts, the government has just approved a number of new policies. For example, yachtsmen can now stay in St. Lucia waters up to six months. Then there’s a 100 percent import duty and tax waiver on yachts, yacht safety equipment, and water sports equipment. Next, yacht owners temporarily living on St. Lucia can do so duty and tax free for up to three years. Folks who wish to set up a marine business will find it easier with a 100 percent waiver on income tax during the first five years of operation for a local charter company that has at least one captain and three crew members, as well as a fleet of three or more vessels. There’s also a 100 percent five-year waiver on import duties and taxes on imported materials used to set up a yacht service business.
“Yachting is real tourism,” says Didler, “and we must ensure it remains a tourist product that benefits all.”

New sailing festival for Puerto Rico; St. Lucia eases restrictions for visiting yachts.

“Discover the Caribbean” Series becomes a sailing festival

The Ponce Yacht & Fishing Club (PYFC) in Ponce, Puerto Rico, will turn its annual “Discover the Caribbean” Series (DCS) into a Sailing Festival this year.
“We’re celebrating PYFC’s long sailing history as well as having a regatta,” said Sailing Director, Joel Santiago. “We want everyone to join in the celebration, so we expanded our shore-side events to create an exciting festival for spectators, families and sailors.”
New shoreside activities include food and beverage kiosks in the regatta village; childrens’ activities and a volleyball tournament; motorbike race, fashion show and live music. On the water, the traditional sailing series kicks off with a feeder race from Fajardo to Salinas November 5th, then back-to-back big boat regattas on November 11-13 & November 18-20, and finally a dinghy regatta November 25-27.
“The race committee has added classic boat and couples cruising classes to existing divisions such as one-design, bareboat, racing, cruising and multihull,” said Santiago.
Competition will be keen. For example, two North American Sunfish Champions—Fernando Monllor and Ivan Aponte-Taboas—are registered, as are sailors such as Efrain ‘Fraito’ Lugo, who won the IC-24 Class eight times at the St. Thomas’ International Rolex Regatta, and Jorge Santiago, a J/24 Silver Medalist at the 2011 CAC Games. This year’s event will welcome a new match racing exhibition with Lugo and Santiago as the star skippers.
The 168-slip PYFC offers free dockage to DCS participants one week before and after the races. Those who are sailing in from over 60 miles away will receive an extra week of dockage free. Among the Club’s facilities are a restaurant, swimming pools, mini golf, playgrounds and tennis courts. The regatta entry fee is $375 for big boats and $110 for dinghies and includes free breakfast, dinner and cocktails during all race days in addition to the free dockage and prizes. For more information, contact alice@aeronetpr.com or Candido Pou at 787-842-9003 or visit discoverpyfc.com.

St. Lucia waives taxes, visas to encourage yachts

St. Lucia’s government has approved a series of new policies that will faciliate clearing in and out of the country, easing taxation and offering other benefits to encourage cruising in its waters. A government statement—released just as we went to press—says that visiting yachts may now stay in St. Lucia waters for six months and yachts with owners who are only on the island temporarily will be allowed to remain there free of duties and taxes for up to three years, after which those taxes will become payable on current value.

Also included in the new policies:

• 100 percent waiver of import duties and tax on yachts imported into St. Lucia.
• 100 percent waiver on income tax from operations for the first five years for local charter companies with a minimum of one captain and three crew in a fleet of three or more vessels.
• Formation of a new Yachting Committee, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism to regulate the yachting sector.

CMA brings about reforms with “Many Islands, One Sea” and Rescue 21 is here to help.

New shipyard in Jamaica boasts
Caribbean’s largest lift

You won’t see the banana carriers immortalized in Harry Belafonte’s calypso tune Day-O (the Banana Boat Song) when you arrive at Boundbrook Wharf on Jamaica’s northeast coast. What you will find is the Caribbean’s largest marine Travelift at the new Port Antonio shipyard. The 250-ton lift is capable of hoisting yachts up to 150 feet with beams of up to 35 feet. The shipyard encompasses all of the existing Errol Flynn Marina, plus a major portion of the massive Boundbrook Wharf, located directly across from the marina.
The shipyard has already been designated a “Free Zone” which will permit it to be extremely competitive with the traditionally low prices of such yachting centers as Saint Maarten in the Eastern Caribbean. The large land area of the yard allows for boat and hurricane storage, plus an expansive covered area suitable for sheltering up to four megayachts simultaneously. Ample electrical service plus a 375 kVA stand-by generator is on hand to ensure a constant power source of 50 or 60 cycles.
Port Antonio is also ideally situated between the Panama Canal and South Florida, just off the Windward Passage, and is a routine fueling stop for yachts transiting the canal. errolflynnmarina.com

U.S. Coast Guard’s Rescue
21 comes to the Caribbean

The cutting-edge advanced direction-finding communications technology, called Rescue 21, allows the USCG to locate mariners in trouble and save lives and property at sea. It will be operational in the Caribbean—specifically the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands region—this month.
The Rescue 21 system will function across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands the same as it does across other regions in the U.S. where it has been implemented. The coverage radius will extend 20 miles out from the Rescue 21 towers located in Crown Mountain, St. Thomas; Blue Mountain, St. Croix; and sites at El Yunque, Cerro Maravilla and Monte del Estado, Puerto Rico. All vessels equipped with a reliable VHF marine radio can benefit from this system regardless of their nationality. Rescue 21 will also enhance the logistics of joint agency operations, foreign and local, in the Caribbean.
In order for this capability to function properly, a radio must be connected to the onboard GPS and be registered at boatus.com/MMSI to get an MMSI number, which is then programed into a DSC capable radio. Vessel operators can find more information about DSC by visiting the Rescue 21 website: uscg.mil/acquisition/rescue21/benefits.asp.

Caribbean Marine Association Reforms

Representatives from eight Caribbean nations met in June to bring the Caribbean Marine Association (CMA) back to life and back into business. The CMA is a regional association dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of the recreational marine industry throughout the Caribbean. In addition to increasing awareness of the industry, protecting the marine environment and enhancing visitor safety, one of CMA’s major goals is to promote the region under the theme “Many Islands, One Sea.” This means working towards more fluid and harmonized entry/exit procedures for private yachts as they leap-frog along the Caribbean island chain.
“Visiting yachts will most benefit from the CMA’s work if we are successful in achieving a simplification of entry and exit procedures and movement between different islands,” says John Duffy, the Antigua-based CMA president. “A step in that direction will be eSeaClear, the Caribbean pre-arrival notification system, but it is much more the attitude and procedures of Customs and Immigration which needs addressing before we will get any noticeable change to yachts visiting the Caribbean. Before that happens, there has to be the political will from the politicians to drive forward a change in attitude and procedures. The French islands have done it, so why not the rest?” eseaclear.com

News on island time

Fly in and fish San Juan’s 58th
International Billfish Tournament

There’s no need to BYOB (bring your own boat) to Puerto Rico to fish the 58th International Billfish Tournament (IBT), set for September 4th. Club Náutico de San Juan has an ‘Armada’ of over 60, 40-plus-foot sport fishing boats. “International anglers love to fish our tournament because they receive VIP treatment. It’s also hassle-free,” says Frankie Mirandés, tournament chairman. “Anglers simply need to arrive to the Club each morning, enjoy a complimentary breakfast and head out to their assigned yacht for the day’s fishing. Four days of fishing, breakfast daily, and all nightly parties cost only $1850 per angler.”

The IBT is definitely a ‘must-do’ for the best sports fishermen in the world. The big draw is ‘Marlin Alley’, a mile-and-a-half deep trench off the north coast of San Juan where blue marlin swim in abundance. And there’s not only big fish, but lots of fish. Catch-and-release is the rule in this conservation-oriented tournament and in the 1988 IBT, the fleet released a record 190 blue marlin in 4 days.

Club Náutico’s IBT also bears the dual distinction of being the longest consecutively held big game fishing tournament in the world and it is also one of the top 10 favorite tournaments in the world as ranked by Marlin Magazine. The IBT is also a qualifier for the prestigious Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship that takes place each May.

For more information visit sanjuaninternational.com.

The Moorings 30th Interline Regatta honors spectators
as well as racers in the British Virgin Islands

Pakistan fisherman, Jay Iqbal, fights a blue marlin aboard the vessel Islamar.

The Moorings is just as well known for its parties as it is for its sailboat racing. Come October, there will be nine days of racing and unending parties beginning on October 11th and running through the 20th. During this time, five races will take place.

This year, there are many new events designed to interest everyone, including the new Spectator Day event and dinner. Cheryl Powell, COO of The Moorings, said, “Interline is about everyone having the time of their life! These spectators have traveled from all over to cheer on their favorite team, and we felt it was time to organize a day specifically for them. Also new to The Moorings is the Rendezvous Dive at the Wreck of the RMS Rhone, as well as Discover Scuba Dive, an outlet for non-certified divers. There will also be á la carte dives throughout the regatta!

This year, there will be more than 35 new Beneteau-built yachts entered across all 3 regatta classes. Interline Regatta Sales Specialist Barb Daetwyler said there are over 50 yachts racing this year. You can call 1-800-633-7348 or go to themooringsinterlineregatta.com for more details and to download the itinerary.

A Tortola marina adds superyacht berths,

and a major marlin tournament takes place

off St. Thomas this month.

Full moon brings marlin

Blue marlin are biting in the Virgin Islands! Fishing reports from the time of the June full moon showed up to six bites a day aboard boats like Therapy and Revenge, both visiting from Florida. This news bodes well for the 39th Annual USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament (USVI Open/ABMT) Tournament, scheduled for August 10-14—three days before this month’s full moon and one day afterward. Based in St. Thomas, this “Super Bowl of Sports Fishing” will take place along the Virgin Islands’ famous “North Drop.”
Tournament Director Jimmy Loveland, says, “Last year’s event was a huge success. A total of 140 blue marlin were released in four days of fishing by the 41-boat fleet. All releases were on relatively lightweight 50-pound test line that requires adept angling skills. We’re expecting up to 40 boats to compete this year.”
The events start with the Kick-Off Party on August 9th at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa. Dock parties will mark the end of each day’s fishing, including a special “Full Moon Party” at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. Tournament winners will be named at the Awards Banquet on August 18th. For more information, call: 340-775-9500 or 888-234-7484 or E-mail: loveto@islands.vi. Daily updates will be posted at: abmt.vi

Slip space to expand at Nanny Cay

The number of slips at Nanny Cay Resort & Marina, located on Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, is set to double over the next two years.
“We’ve submitted the environmental impact assessment and passed two out of three public hearings to expand the marina and yard by more than double,” says Nanny Cay Marina partner Cameron McColl, who arrived in the BVI over a decade ago on a sailing vacation, then bought and rebuilt the marina and resort. “In order to do this, we’re going to build a breakwater on the shallow rocky shoreline on the opposite end of the property and put in 220 slips, which will include 15 megayacht slips, and increase our total to 400 slips. We’ll also increase land storage from the present 100 to 360 yachts. Shoreside facilities such as restaurants, chandleries and other services will be expanded, too. We anticipate completion by May 2013.” nannycay.com

New weather buoys

Four new buoys located off the coasts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will help to provide mariners with the latest information on sea conditions in those areas. The buoys have been placed as part of the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CariCOOS), which is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Three of the buoys are off Puerto Rico. One is south of Caja de Muerto Island off the south-coast city of Ponce. The second is off the north coast of San Juan, and the third is one mile off Rincon on the island’s west coast. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, a new buoy is situated seven miles south of Rendezvous Bay, St. John.
The state-of-the-art buoys were designed and constructed by Dr. Neal Pettigrew and his colleagues at the University of Maine. “These buoys provide meteorological and oceanographic data such as winds, waves, currents, atmospheric pressure, water temperature, and salinity, on a near real-time basis,” says Dr. Jorge Capella, the Puerto Rico-based CariCOOS modeling coordinator. Interested users should access caricoos.org and select the desired buoy from the CariCOOS Buoys tab.

Major marinas unveil upgrades, and a workboat

regatta on Carriacou features unique land-side events.

New Dinghy Dock for Jamaica’s

Errol Flynn Marina

No longer do yachtsmen moored off Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio, Jamaica, have to negotiate a nearly four-foot climb up a concrete wall to get from their dinghies to the main dock. An aluminum dock 40 feet in length and 8 feet wide has been installed, accessed via a 20-foot ramp to the marina sidewalk. The long-awaited dinghy dock was built by Carolina Waterworks of Goose Creek, South Carolina.
“The dock will facilitate easy on and off-loadings from dinghies for our anchorage clients,” said Dale Westin, general manager. “For protection of the dinghies, the dock is fully cushioned and will feature enough cleats to avoid having to deal with numerous painters all on a single cleat.” errolflynnmarina.com

Major Refit for Bitter End Yacht

Club’s Quarterdeck Marina

There is an extra reason to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday at the Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC) on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, this year. It will be the Grand Re-Opening weekend for the resort’s now state-of-the-art Quarterdeck Marina. With more than 18 slips on the primary docks (depending on the types and sizes of boats accommodated), the Quarterdeck Marina will welcome back charter sailors, cruising voyagers, deep-sea anglers, and fine-yacht owners.
“The previous facility was certainly more than sufficient and fit our needs in the ’80s, ’90s and until recently,” said BEYC Managing Director Dana Hokin. “But the new installation, built from the ground up, will have wider slips, improved decking surfaces, enhanced skirting, upgraded power, and best of all, a better dockage layout to accommodate a wider variety of boat sizes and shapes. We think it will be a wonderful complement to our world-class shoreside offerings.” The marina re-opening comes at the perfect time to welcome anglers to the BVI Billfish Tournament, set for July 17-20. This is the third edition of the tournament, which last took place in 2008, when 19 boats collectively released 30 blue marlin. beyc.com

45th Carriacou Regatta—Not Just for Sailors

Seafarers and landlubbers alike will find something to please them at the 45th Carriacou Regatta Festival, held July 24 to August 1 on Grenada’s northern offshore island of Carriacou. Started in 1965 by the late John Linton Riggs, a Jamaican-born yachtsman who settled on the 15-mile-long island in the early 1950’s, the festival began as a boat-racing event commemorating the Emancipation Day holiday. Today, the regatta focuses chiefly on locally built “workboats”, including some 10 different classes of craft ranging from 14 to 35 feet in length. In addition, more than a dozen fiberglass racing yachts also typically compete. On-shore activities include donkey racing, road races, and greased pole climbing.
The Carriacou Yacht Club, located on an excellent anchorage in Tyrrel Bay and not far from the regatta festival activities, offers many facilities for visiting yachtsmen including a dinghy dock, showers/washrooms, on-site laundry, office facilities, mail service, Internet service, mini-mart, bar and restaurants. carriacouregatta.com

Big event for little Optis

More than 90 sailors ranging from 8 to 15 years old and hailing from throughout the Caribbean, the U.S., and as far away as New Zealand, will set sail in the 19th Annual Scotiabank International Optimist Regatta, held June 24-26. Hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club in the U.S. Virgin Islands, this will be the largest Caribbean Opti regatta of the year.
“The Scotiabank International Optimist Regatta is a fantastic, family-friendly regatta that offers awesome training for the upcoming North Americans in Los Angeles and the Nationals in Houston,” said Regatta Director Margo Lynch.
The regatta is preceded by the Sea Star Clinic on June 20-22, a training session run by top Optisailors.com coaches such as Agustin “Argy” Resano and Bocha Politzer, and the Sea Star Team Race on on June 23, extending the event to a full week.  styc.net

Simpson Bay Bridge summer hours

As of May 16, 2011, the number of daily bridge openings at the entrance to Simpson Bay Lagoon on the Dutch side of St. Maarten has dropped from six to four, extending through November 2011. The St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) announced the following schedule:
• 9:30-11:30 a.m. Vessel traffic will be outbound first;
then inbound on the same opening times.
• 4:30 p.m. Outbound traffic allowed.
• 5:30 p.m. Inbound traffic allowed.
You must call “Bridge Attendant” on VHF channel 12 before transiting and state your vessel’s name and intention to enter or depart. Smaller vessels going into the lagoon can call in for an exact opening time, enter the channel and then stand by in order to reduce the transit time.
The SMMTA did say there would be additional special bridge openings in case of storms during hurricane season. These will be announced via e-mail, marine VHF Channel 12, local radio stations, and if there is enough time, in local and regional newspapers.
Simpson Bay Bridge accommodates vessels with a maximum beam of 56 feet and a maximum draft of 17 feet. Bridge fees range from U.S. $10 for vessels from 30 to 40 feet in length to U.S. $500 for vessels 118 feet and larger.

Free-Zone status for Curaçao Marine

If you want to leave your yacht “below the belt” for hurricane season, Curaçao Marine announced it can now store vessels indefinitely in its yard without the hassle of permit extensions, thanks to its new Customs Free-Zone status. Previously, a vessel’s stay on the Dutch island of Curaçao in the southwestern Caribbean could only extend to a maximum of 12 months. Anything longer required a yacht to clear out, make a trip to a foreign port, return and get a new entry.
The yard added that when you return to the island to retrieve your boat, you’ll receive a six-month cruising permit, which can be extended to 12 months. Curaçao Marine is a 27,000-square-foot yard offering 140 dry berths and more than 25 marina berths. Its comprehensive menu of services includes slipway towing for mono and multihulls up to 40 tons. curacaomarine.com

Madagascar comes to the BVI

Don’t be surprised if you see a bevy of ring-tailed lemurs as you sail past Moskito Island en route to Virgin Gorda. Billionaire Sir Richard Branson, who owns the unihabited Moskito, has applied for a permit to bring 30 of the critters to the island in order to help the species survive. Lemurs are native to Madagascar, where they are currently threatened by the destruction of their habitat due to logging. The move has attracted some protests from those opposed to introduction of a non-native species to the BVI

BVI and two cruising rallies get under way.

Learn to dive in the BVI

The Moorings base in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, now offers rendezvous diving and scuba educational programs to its charter guests, thanks to a new partnership with Sail Caribbean Divers, a PADI 5-Star Dive Center. These services will be available to all guests of The Moorings, Moorings Crewed Yachts, Moorings Power, Sunsail and Footloose.

One of Sail Caribbean Divers’ four custom dive boats and the experienced SCD staff.

“We realize that families often refine their traditional travel plans for more meaningful and interactive vacations,” says Mike Rowe, co-director of Sail Caribbean Divers and resident PADI Course Director. “A sailing, diving, snorkeling and water-sports vacation can certainly [fulfill] their wishes.” Since opening in 2000, Sail Caribbean Divers has grown to encompass a fleet of four custom dive vessels and three full service locations at Hodges Creek Marina, Cooper Island, and Norman Island. A new reservations desk is now open at The Moorings Village. Certified divers can take guided dives of incredible sites such as the famous wreck of the RMS Rhone, a British steamship that sank in 1867. Those who aren’t certified can take a certification course or an introductory dive course. moorings.com

Birds of a feather

Sailors who want to flock north for the summer will find two cruising rallies to join. The Atlantic Cup sets sail May 1st and the ARC Europe on May 5th from Nanny Cay Marina in Tortola, BVI. Both rallies will head to Hampton, Virginia, with a stopover in Bermuda. From Bermuda, the ARC Europe will embark on its second leg to the Azores and finally, Portugal.
This is the first year that the World Cruising Club USA will be operating the Atlantic Cup, having taken over both it and the Caribbean 1500 at the end of last year from Cruising Rally Association founder Steve Black.
“The Atlantic Cup will continue to be an intimate event of 15 to 20 with an emphasis on adventure, camaraderie, and fun competition,” says Julie Palm, World Cruising Club USA’s communications manager. “As for the ARC Europe, we will have a new fleet messaging system that works with our satellite yacht trackers, enabling information on yacht positions to be sent back out to the yachts within minutes of the reports being received.”
In addition to a stronger emphasis on safety, there will be more comprehensive pre-departure activities this year, including seminars and social events such as a farewell dinner and cocktail party on Nanny Cay for each rally.  “Due to the limits on docking in Bermuda, we can’t run the two rallies together, but instead have staggered the starts and arrivals, to ease the pressure on dock space,” says Julie. “However for 2012, we are hoping that the situation will have changed and we can run the two together—making for more and bigger parties!” worldcruising.com

Sailing school opens at Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Two years after Hurricane Omar blew through the oceanfront Four Seasons Resort Nevis, the AAA Five Diamond property reopened last December with a full complement of amenities and services. One of them is a new sailing school. The program offers a diploma upon completion of a six-hour training course. fourseasons.com/nevis

7th edition of free Martinique guide

Need to find a sailmaker, a place to provision or even a doctor on the French island of Martinique? Check the 7th edition of Ti’Ponton. This practical guide’s table of contents includes an A-to-Z of yacht-related services and businesses, along with information on Customs and Immigration, marinas, yachting equipment, provisioning, places to see and things to do in Martinique and its surrounding waters. Ti’Ponton is written in English and French and can be picked up for free at several locations on the island. It also maintains an informative website at tiponton.com

By Carol Bareuther

Classic boats and maxi yachts

will vie for spectators’

attention in the March wind.

Les Voiles de Saint Barth sets sail

Crystal clear water enhances the racing action at Les Voiles de Saint Barth.

Nearly 60 yachts in five classes – Super/Maxi  (69 feet and longer), Classic, Racing, Racing/Cruising and Racing/Multihull – are expected to set sail in the second annual Les Voiles de Saint Barth, scheduled for April 4-6  in the fashionable French West Indies isle. Some of the  regatta entries will be high-tech racing boats fresh from the famous Route du Rhum, while others will be sleek vintage yachts warming up for the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta on April 14-19. The big fun will be to watch the Super/Maxi duel between Leopard 3, British owner Mike Slade’s 100-foot Farr, and Rambler 100, a Kouyoumdjian design chartered by the U.S.A.’s George David and helmed by America’s Cup skipper Ken Read. Who knows, other Super/Maxis like Atrevida, a 105-foot Herreshoff-designed schooner; the 76-foot W-Class boat White Wings, or Patrick Demarchelier’s Swan 45 Puffy, may cause a thrilling upset in this class.
However, said Annelisa Gee, regatta co-director, “We’ll see the bulk of the competition in the 50- to 60-foot range among several Swan 60s and Farr 60s along with the TP 52, Moneypenny.”
Though still a relatively new event, Les Voiles de Saint Barth is fast becoming a permanent fixture on the Caribbean’s spring race scene. Part of the excitement comes from its format, which features the possibility of a different course every day. “It’s hard to predict the weather this time of year,” says Gee. “Last year, we had 20 to 25 knot winds and nine-foot swells which made it a lot of fun.”
Prizes include a week’s stay at a luxury villa on St. Barth for winners of the Racing, Racing/Cruising, Classic and Racing Multihull classes. The winner of the Super/Maxi class, which was Rambler last year, will receive a Richard Mille 028 special edition Les Voiles de St. Barth watch. On land, the regatta village will host the island’s top chefs, wine tastings, live music and a replay of the day’s racing on a giant screen. lesvoilesdesaintbarth.com

Cruisers get pedal power on St. Maarten

Sightseeing and shopping on St. Maarten without a car is no problem. Just pick up one of a fleet of six courtesy bikes to use for the day from Island Water World. The marine chandlery, which also has stores in St. Lucia, Grenada and Curacao, offers two bikes at its Cole Bay location on Simpson Bay, two at Marina Port de Plaisance, and two at Marina Fort Louis in Marigot, St. Martin.
“The bikes are basic ‘cruisers’ – aluminum with a basket,” said Sean Kennelly, Island Water World managing director. “A great deal of goods and services, such as an electronics store, supermarket, pharmacy, rigging shop, bakery, hairdresser and much more are available within a 15-minute pedal.” The bikes are free; however, a $50 deposit is required. “The bikes have been a huge success, and we have taken delivery of another six, which we sent down to our store in St. Georges, Grenada, in March,” Sean said.

Bequia Easter Regatta turns 30

Heineken has come aboard as sponsor to make the three–decade anniversary celebration of the Bequia Easter Regatta truly memorable. Set for April 21-25, it will give hardcore racers and cruisers alike something to suit. Nearly 30 one-design J/24s are expected to race, a testament to the popularity of this class in the region.
“The ‘J24 United Insurance Challenge’ takes place on Easter Saturday,” said organizer Nicola Redway. “The winner will be crowned J24 Southern Caribbean Champion 2011.”
Everyone who enters the regatta will receive one of the famous Bequia Easter Regatta Mount Gay Red Caps. Layday festivities include a beach splash, sandcastle competition and crazy craft races. begos.com/easterregatta.com