The Sint Maarten Yacht Club – founders of the Sint Maarten Heineken Regatta in 1980 has announced a new annual sailing event premiering the 8th, 9th, and 10th of February in 2019. Called the Caribbean Multihull Challenge / St Maarten – and open only to multihulls – this regatta and festival will become a staple in competitive racing in the brilliant waters surrounding Dutch Sint Maarten and French St. Martin and Budget Marine is proud to be a sponsor in this event.
Back in the 1950’s Sint Maarten was the birthplace of multihull sailing in the Caribbean with inspired designs from Peter Spronk who built boats here that are still sailing today. (Note: Roger Spronk is still busy building and refurbishing his father’s designs in Grenada) And, in this innovative spirit, the organizers of this Regatta are acknowledging the rapid growth in the market for modern multihulls and the technological advances in the industry that enable these boats to be fast, safe and comfortable. The racing in this brand new event will be spirited, competitive, and full of fun surprises.
The Caribbean Multihull Challenge St Maarten will embrace all that is great about multihull sailing. “This event will welcome every multihull type; Gunboats, Trimarans, Lagoons, Leopards, Fontaine Pajot and Spronk boats. We will even throw in a Pirate Class so local charter boats with fun handicaps can also race. The whole idea is to offer creative races that will put a smile on every sailor’s face. Combine that with post racing event, a small multihull boat show and more, and this will become a real hit in the Caribbean Racing Circuit!” states Steering Committee Chairman, Petro Jonker. Registration can be done by emailing leonde@smyc.com. For more info visit smyc.com/caribbean-multihull-challenge.
