St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta

Created by val. Last modified on 2008-11-20 14:21:39
Topic: Rallies
Countries: Sint Maarten, St Martin

St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta moves to Bobby's Marina in Great Bay.

The upcoming January classic regatta in St. Maarten has moved from Simpson Bay to Great Bay.

During the past three years all social events and the races have been organized out of Simpson Bay on the lagoon.

Organizers have received questions from several classic yacht owners and captains who are worried about the high bridge and lagoon fees that participants will have to pay during the regatta.

Local authorities have heavily increased lagoon entrance taxes and bridge fees since the beginning of the year, against the advise of the local marine trades association.

By relocating everything to Great Bay, yachts will not have to enter the lagoon and are not subject to paying the high fees, no extra bridge openings will be needed and the participants can come to the docks or go on anchor right after the races.

The first race on Friday January 23, 2009 will leave out of Great Bay to Marigot. Sailors will return the next day with another start on Sunday again out of Great Bay.

An other big change to the regatta program is that organizers will offer free drinks and food at the buffets, VIP lounge etc. to all participants, invited guests and press during the entire regatta due to the cooperation of several food and beverage companies and restaurants around Great Bay.

Spectator catamaran tickets will become for sale soon at day charter companies for enthusiasts who want to follow the regular classic race and Tall ships regatta on Saturday from Marigot to Great Bay.

Classic and Vintage Yachts, Schooners and Spirit of Tradition yachts will be accommodated for free on the Bobby's Marina docks (subject to availability) and will also again receive complimentary docking on Friday afternoon and overnight at Fort Louis Marina on the French side in Marigot Saint Martin.

Port Captain of Fort Louis Marina, Etienne Tacquin, announced that as from today, all yachts (not only regatta participants ) that dock at Fort Louis Marina in Marigot will not have to clear in or out anymore at the customs and immigration office ( PAF ) but can do everything in the marina offices.

This will avoid mega yacht and other captains to stand in line at the immigration office as used to be the case in the past, as the complete process will now take only a few minutes and cost only a few Euros.

The Invitational St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta 2009 from January 22 until the 25th is the first classic regatta of the Caribbean season, with the Grenada Classic Yacht Regatta the second in February and Antigua Classics the third in April.

From:www.bym.news