Ideal wind strengths and stiff competition combined with the very special onshore hosting at Lagoonies Bistro made this fifth running of the event a very special one. Eleven teams in 14-18 knots of breeze with interesting variations in the Simpson Bay lagoon kept the interest at a high level. Frits Bus defending champion just edged out Bernard Sillem by just one tenth of a point and the many of the remaining teams were very close on points showing a high standard of racing. Third place went to Robbie Ferron who edged out Garth Steyn. Many of the 15 races sailed had the six boats finishing within seconds of each other , mostly in less than one minute! Every single team did not had at least a first or a second place in one of the races. The eleven teams included ones with a strong youth component particularly in the Kidz at Sea teams (3 teams) and three teams from the French side .
Lagoonies has taken a new approach to regattas. Competitors arrive in the morning to fresh coffee and sandwiches. The boats are on the dock ready to go. A lunch break means teams quickly get served delicious lunches on reserved tables. One participant was heard to say “This is the best lunch regatta” After boat putting away at nearby Budget Marine an excellent cocktail hour has no shortage of on water stories to accompany the excellent drinks that include the craft beer.
The Jeanneau 20 boats that have been the basis of this event and a range of others (North Sails, Electec, Necol , Ladies ) regattas in Sint Maarten for the past 17 years have now been transferred to the ownership of the Kidz at Sea Foundation (with the exeption of two )
Contributors to this regatta included Garth Steyn , Budget Marine , Simon Manley , Robbie Ferron who all contributed organization boats .
Sponsors of the event were the Budget Marine, Tea Box, Mount Gay, Waste to Work and Pelikaan craft beer. Lagoonies Bistro is located at Lagoon Marina in Cole Bay Sint Maarten.
Photo credit to Michele Korteweg, General Manager of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club.
