Set to run from March 6 to 9, the 34th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta 2014 is now open for registration via the official website. The Notice of Race is also available on the website, with plenty of other info on the regatta, the popular parties, as well as the fabulous St. Maarten Island itself.
Picture by St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has a reputation as a must do event in the Caribbean Calendar for sailors and spectators alike. With its ideal combination of first-rate sailing and amazing parties, the event lives up to its slogan ‘Serious Fun’! The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta had over 200 entries in 2013, making it the biggest Regatta in the Caribbean. Competitors travel from 32 different countries to join the regatta which is run by an international Race Committee and covered in a wide array of sailing publications. This truly is a world renowned sailing event.
The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta’s is open to all types of sailors from professional teams and boat owners to friends on a yearly break hiring a boat for the event. Racing classes range from specialist boats such as the Gunboats and the Melges 24 to the Multi-hull class which is the biggest of its kind in the Caribbean. With a growing attendance of the Melges 32 yachts the variety of high class racing boats is on the rise. This is also shown in the quality of the sailors taking part. In previous years sailors such as Bouwe Bekking, Taylor Canfield and Olympian Richard Clarke have taken part.
This year the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta also includes an Inshore Class with the opportunity to show your skills on a Sunfast 20. With this one design fleet class the regatta is introducing an affordable yet challenging way to enter in the fun. The Sunfast 20 fleet is the same as those used in the Budget Marine Match Racing Cup (invitation only), so come check out this pre regatta event to see how to race like the professionals!
Picture by Jan Paul Heijmans
Whilst you are here why not check out the other pre regatta event the Gill Commodores Cup. For those flying spinnakers this is a great way to warm up for the main event. The details about racing in all events can be found on the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta website, so no matter what your level of sailing is there is fun to be had by all.
The island offers ideal sailing conditions with trade winds from the North East, an average temperature of 25C and extensive marine facilities. There is a reason why so many of the yachts choose to use St. Maarten as their base during the season. When you are not taking advantage of the fantastic weather and sailing you can indulge in tax free shopping, gourmet dining, a golf course, water sports, white sandy beaches and beautiful hotels and villas. The Island of St. Maarten makes this an event for all, with families and friends of participants and spectators enjoying the shore side delights.
Just in case you have forgotten they aim for ‘Serious Fun’ at the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, its parties with international artists, and fantastic entertainment are spread over the entire regatta keeping you busy both night and day. The Event has had artists like Black Eyed Peas, Wycleff Jean, Beres Hammond and the Commodores in previous years so keep an ear out for the 2014 headliner.
The Regatta Organization is looking forward to hearing from you and your crew on how they can assist you with your registration and preparations. Any questions and queries can be directed to regatta@heinekenregatta.com where they look forward to starting your St. Maarten Heineken Regatta experience.
