As squally Christmas winds die down to become steady easterlies, early Springtime signals the start of the Caribbean racing regatta season. In sail lofts across the island chain, the best suits of racing sails are being spruced up for a season of sun, fun and excitement. Crews begin to train for what can be an exhausting season on the circuit.
In the Leeward Islands, February heralds the somewhat arduous Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Caribbean 600 race. This offshore event starts and finishes in Antigua. 600 nautical miles non-stop on a winding course past Barbuda, around the isolated Kingdom of Redonda then onto Nevis, Saba, St Barths, Sint Maarten and down to Guadeloupe before returning to Antigua for a party at the end. Just days later serious sailors are doing it all again in Sint Maarten during the equally famous Heineken Regatta. Needless to say there is some serious partying following that racing too.
For those without a boat of their own to race, Ondeck have a Beneteau First 40 and a fleet of Farr 65s, purpose built raceboats each manned by a crew of 3 professionals. They can accommodate up to 18 individuals who want to enjoy wild and windy sailboat racing on the warm waters of the Caribbean. Combine the two regattas and you could squeeze in 12 days worth of sailing and access 5 great parties in Antigua and St Maarten. That’s some serious enjoyment!
In March the circuit moves northwards with racing in Puerto Rico, the Rolex International off St Thomas in the USVI and the Spring Regatta in the idyllic waters of the British Virgin Islands. For super sailing yachts, the action takes place in St Barths Bucket Regatta, celebrating its 25th year in 2012. Thirty mega yachts carrying rich and famous celebrity owners, guests and crew are on course to have fun in the sun.
Come April, action continues in St Barths with Les Voiles before it shifts to Antigua for Classic Yacht Regatta and a few days later the popular Antigua Sailing Week, is the Season’s swan song.
