SIMPSON BAY—Participants gathered last night in Sint Maarten Yacht Club for the skippers briefing and opening of the First Caribbean Multihull Challenge presented by the yacht club.
It was a typically upbeat and rowdy briefing with sailors anticipating three days of great racing. Boats and skippers entered in the three classes were introduced by Chairman of the Race Committee Robbie Ferron. There are five entries in Class A, four in Class B, and 6 in Class C for a total fleet of 15 boats.
“This first regatta may be small but we are going to tell the world that were serious about Multihulls,” said Ferron. “Starting a first regatta is really difficult that’s why we are so grateful to the many sponsors who have trusted us to take this regatta forward.”
There’s a diverse fleet of exciting multihulls to watch and eyes will also be on the oldest lady in the fleet, “Tryst”, celebrating her 50th anniversary and sailed by Bernard “Appie” Stoutenbeck and crew.
The first race today starts at 2:00pm in Simpson Bay. Class A will race from Simpson Bay to Blowing Rock, Marigot, Blowing Rock and back to Simpson Bay. Classes B and C will race from Simpson Bay to Blowing Rock and back to Simpson Bay.
Andrew Rapley is the Principal Race Officer and International Judge is David de Vries who chairs the jury together with judge Pat Bailey from St. Thomas. Herb McCormick returns as the press writer.
Main sponsors of the event are Mount Gay Rum, Oris swiss watches who are the official timekeepers for the Multihull Regatta and the upcoming Heineken Regatta, The Multihull Company, and Port de Plaisance.
The fastest boat over the three days will win for the skipper an Oris watch presented by Ballerina Jewellers. The winner of Sunday’s race (The Oris Trophy Race) will also win an Oris watch.
