When its gets cold up north, the racing turns hot in the Caribbean. Below are highlights of several regattas that take place from January through March.

January 13-February 21: Southern Caribbean Regatta Circuit. This three-race series starts with the Carriacou Sailing Series (January 13-16), includes the Grenada Sailing Festival (January 29-February 2), and concludes with the Tobago Carnival Regatta (February 18- 21). www.sailingcarriacou.com, www.grenadasailingfestival.com and www.sailweek.comJanuary 23-24: Antigua Yacht Club’s Round the Island Race. There’s a new format, says Elizabeth Jordan, AYC Commodore. “We will start earlier and complete the circuit on Saturday, starting and finishing off Falmouth Harbour. » A Saturday night party precedes short course racing on Sunday with lunch and prize giving to follow. The course record, set in 2001, is held by Wild Horses, a 72-foot “W » Class yacht, with a time of four hours and 53 minutes. yachtclub@candw.ag and www.antiguayachtclub.com

January 27-30: The Superyacht Cup Antigua. This big boat regatta based out of Nelson’s Dockyard moves its dates from December to January. “The Antigua event has grown in popularity over the three years since it started but the big increase in numbers appears to be due to moving the regatta to the end of January when most schedules are not so busy, » announced event organizer Patrick Whetter in a press release. Yachts signed up include the Frers-designed 137-foot Rebecca, the 124-foot Briand-designed Perini Navi, P2, and the 78-foot W-class yachts, Wild Horses and White Wings. patrick@thesuperyachtcup.com and www.thesuperyachtcup.com

January 29-February 2: Grenada Sailing Festival presented by Port Louis and Camper & Nicholsons Marinas. New this year will be two weekends of sailing rather than one. Four days of international yacht racing off the island’s southern coast will kick off on the 29th, where sailors will find longer courses, new deep-water marks, and one day of racing dedicated to an Ocean Race and an extended South Coast Ocean Triangle. Traditional workboats will compete in the Grenada Sailing Festival Digicel Work Boat Regatta on February 6 and 7. gsail@spiceisle.com and www.grenadasailingfestival.com

February 6-16: Route du Carnaval – Martinique to St. Lucia to Petit Saint and Transcaraibes – Dominican Republic to Cuba. This rally launches from Marina Bas du Fort in Guadeloupe and finishes at the Marina Marlin Cienfuegos in Cuba. Event coordinator Stephane Legendre says, “Conviviality, fun and adventure are the master words of this event. In addition, a humanitarian operation will again take place for the Haitian orphans in coordination with the Rotary Club of Saint Martin. » www.transcaraibes.com

February 13-14: Budget Marine Valentine’s Day Regatta at JHYC. The beauty of this regatta, says sponsor Robbie Ferron, “is the ease of participation. Participating boats can dock in Jolly Harbour, start the racing just outside the harbour, and on return get to the social headquarters at the Foredeck bar with the minimum of land transport. » Ferron adds, “Poul Hoj Jensen, the Dragon world champion has indicated his interest in getting a fleet of Dragons to race the event this year. » www.jhycantigua.com

February 19-21: The St. Croix Yacht Club Hospice Regatta. A new name and new beneficiary highlight this event, where the winner of the Spinnaker A class will be nominated to compete in the invitational National Hospice Championship in Rochester, New York, June 3-6, 2010. Another first, says regatta director Julie San Martin, “we will provide real time scoring with provisional results available at the end of each race. » www.stcroixregatta.com

February 20-26: RORC Caribbean 600 Offshore Race. This 605-mile race around the islands that starts and ends in Antigua welcomes a star-studded fleet. Race record holder, the 100-foot ICAP Leopard, as well as the STP 65, Rosebud, and Tom Hill’s new RP 75, Titan, will compete. caribbean600@rorc.org.uk and www.rorc.org

February 26-28. South Grenada Regatta. Over 20 racing, cruising, multihull, fun, and J/24 class yachts are expected to sail in this three-race regatta based out of Le Phare Bleu Marina. Free berthing is available. There are also junior sailing events, a pirate’s trail, 15 HP dinghy time trial and live music. www.southgrenadaregatta.com

March 4-7: St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. The Budget Marine Match Racing Cup will kick-off the event with prize money totaling $10,000, with three days of racing following. “This year the event will celebrate the 30th edition, » says regatta director, Heather Tackling. “We have it from good sources that many of the big boats that skipped out of some racing last year will be back, as well as some new big names. » www.heinekenregatta.com

March 12-14: Grenada Round-The-Island Race. While seasoned sailors make their way around the island on Saturday, says organizer Roger Spronk, “the youth sailors of Grenada will display their sailing skills in a mini race with the goal of promoting youth interest in sailing. » On Sunday, there’s “A Taste of Grenada » set beachside as well as a Bathtub Derby. grenadaroundtheislandrace@gmail.com and www.aroundgrenada.com

March 18-21: Puerto Rico Heineken International Regatta. The former Culebra Heineken International Regatta has a new name and new home at the Palmas del Mar Yacht Club in Humacao. “We’ll offer three days of racing and a mix of windward-leeward courses for the one-design and racing classes, » says regatta director Angel Ayala. “We may run a distance race to Vieques for some classes. » www.prheinekenregatta.com

March 26-28: 37th International Rolex Regatta. Several boats are already signed up to race in this event that offers one-design, CSA, IRC and multihull racing. Regatta co-director, John Sweeney says this includes “a Tripp 70, a number of IRC 52s including ’09 winner Vincitore, and Tom Hill on his latest Titan. »Â Yacht Haven Grande and American Yacht Harbor will provide free dockage for competitors while space lasts. Winners of select classes will pocket a Rolex watch. stycisv@gmail.com or directors@rolexcupregatta.com and www.rolexcupregatta.com

Source : allatsea

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The latest additions to the entry list for The Superyacht Cup Antigua are the two spectacular J Class yachts, Hanuman and Ranger. Hanuman, a replica of the yacht Endeavour II, was originally built to challenge for the America’s Cup against the defender, Ranger, in 1937.

Hanuman was designed by Dykstra and Partners and launched in March 2009 from Royal Huisman shipyard in the Netherlands. The new generation Ranger, launched by Danish Yachts in late 2003, was designed by Olin Stephens. Ranger has been campaigned over the past few years with a very experienced professional race crew and has clocked up an impressive list of trophies. These two famous yachts sailed against each other for the first time at the Newport Bucket in July this year and their highly competitive nature allied with their classic, timeless beauty means they always draw great attention from sailing enthusiasts wherever they go around the world.

Returning for their second year as sponsor of The Superyacht Cup Antigua are Atollvic Shipyard. Atollvic are based in the estuary of Vigo in northwest Spain. They are a full-service shipyard dedicated to building, refit and repair of luxury yachts up to 55m.

A new sponsor, Newport Shipyard has also confirmed their support for SYC Antigua. The oldest working yacht repair and refit facility in the region, located downtown in Newport Harbor, the facility is dedicated to exceptional support, refitting and servicing of superyachts up to 300+ feet. The company’s commitment to quality and crew facilities has made Newport a popular superyacht destination for crew and owners alike. “We are thrilled to be part of the Superyacht Cup Antigua,” said Dockmaster Eli Dana. “Several boats who are slated to race this year have called Newport Shipyard ‘home’ so we take pleasure in supporting such a great showcase for these beautiful yachts.”

The social programme should keep all the crew busy with ideas for fancy dress outfits for the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ party, scheduled after the first race. A ‘Yacht Hop’ is planned for the Friday night, an informal and optional ‘open boat’ evening, giving owners and guests the chance to meet each other and visit some of the participating yachts. On the final night, a spectacular Prize Giving dinner will bring the event to a close.

The Superyacht Cup Antigua is now in its 4th year, it will be held at Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour from January 27th – 30th. The event is open to yachts of 24m and above and places are limited.

Kate Branagh
Superyacht Cup Antigua

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As many superyachts buckle down to refit work at the end of the summer period and prepare for delivery trips across the Atlantic, Owners’ plans are being finalized for Caribbean cruising and winter sailing events. The successful and well-attended superyacht regattas in Europe this summer appear to have boosted the Caribbean events too and interest is higher than ever for The Superyacht Cup in Antigua, now with new dates at the end of January.

“We are in regular contact with many yacht captains and the response this year is exceptionally positive; more than 15 yachts have said they are hoping to take part this January and we are confident that there will be a really strong fleet and excellent racing » explained Patrick Whetter Event Organiser. “The Antigua event has grown in popularity over the three years since it started but the big increase in numbers appears to be due to moving the regatta to the end of January when most schedules are not so busy.”

The event will be held over four days with registration on Wednesday January 27th and then racing on the 28th, 29th and 30th. The ‘Bucket Rating’ system will be used and subject to conditions two races are planned for the 29th. Antigua is one of the most popular yacht racing destinations in the Caribbean. The seasonal trade winds provide perfect conditions for exhilarating sailing, and the social programme provides plenty of opportunity to enjoy the best of the local hospitality each afternoon after the racing.

Perini Navi will be returning to sponsor the Superyacht Cup Antigua and are planning to have at least two of their fleet taking part. The Briand designed 38m sloop P2, built by Perini, has already confirmed she will be participating.

Leading yacht insurance broker Pantaenius, a long-term support of The Superyacht Cup, will continue their sponsorship of the Antigua event. Martin Baum explains: ” It is a great opportunity for us to get out and see our clients as well as meet new owners, captains and crew; it is always such a great atmosphere at this event and Pantaenius enjoys being part of it”.

Wayfarer Marine from Maine USA is taking up silver sponsorship of The Superyacht Cup Antigua. Wayfarer supported the Horus Superyacht Cup in Palma this year where Ben Cashen attended the regatta on behalf of the company to promote the skills and experience of their full service yard, situated in the beautiful location of Camden in the state of Maine. Wayfarer Marine is a popular destination for many of the superyachts visiting the US eastern seaboard and several of the participating yachts at Superyacht Cup regattas in Europe and the Caribbean have strong connections with the region.

Kate Branagh

The Superyacht Cup Antigua January 27 – 30th 2010

More information : http://www.thesuperyachtcup.com

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