Team Budget Marine – Micron 99 was the overall winner of the Golden Rock Regatta which was held from the 13thto the 17thof November 2016. This five day, seven race Regatta is held every year with many teams coming especially from the Netherlands to participate. The race course goes from St. Maarten to St. Barths to St. Eustatius and back to St. Maarten. The four man team, consisting of Steve Ellsworth, Dan Smith, Han de Bruyn Kops and captained by Robbie Ferron, managed to particularly excel in the three short races that took place in St. Eustatius. This was made extra special as Statia Day was being celebrated together with the first recognition of US independence by a foreign power.
Robbie Ferron commented: ‘We are a team of experienced sailors and we know the course well but I think we had some extra ammunition this time around. The boat was using its new Interlux sail for one, but the real secret weapon is the Micron 99 paint coating, applied over a year ago. Even after being languished in the Simpson Bay lagoon during the off season and with no other prepping than being very easily ‘wiped’ for the season, the anti-fouling performance is unheard of in the Caribbean with its tough conditions.’
This year 18 teams participated in total with three racing categories: Bareboat 1, Bareboat 2 and the Open Class. Team Poco Loco, captained by Michael Roach, came in first in the Bareboat 1 category and team Statia, captained by Siem Dijkshoorn, came in first in the Bareboat 2 category. Team Budget Marine – Micron 99 came in first in the Open Category and was named overall winner of the regatta. For complete results visitwww.Goldenrockregatta.com
