Over 110 boats have registered for the 44th St. Maarten Heineken Regattafrom over 20 countries around the world – as far as South Africa and Australia! Teams gathered at the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Village at Port de Plaisance for registration, where they were loaded with goodies and good energy for the 4-day weekend of “Serious Fun!” ahead.
Competing teams represent over 25 nationalities, many teams sailing with mixed international crew from all over the world. Among them is GFA Caraibes – La Morrigane, Overall Winners of the 2023 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, who are competing in the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta before the team goes on an international racing campaign. “It’s our last regatta in the Caribbean, because after that we will go to the Pacific – so we want to make a good last race here for the team,” said skipper Tristan Marmousez.
Newcomers to the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, Team Trident, have had the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta on their horizon for many months, and are thrilled that the time has finally come! “I’m super excited. We’ve been planning for 8 months with race prep and briefings, getting comfortable as a team and interviewing other skippers… I think we’re ready,” shared Captain Nico Treverno – Trident Sailing Team. Nico’s team is racing within the Bareboat class, meaning they flew in and stepped onboard a new boat to the team today, and will be racing it together for the first time! But the team is well prepared, as many are former and current students of Nico’s from his Trident Sailing Academy out of Texas, USA.
Registration is also the time for competitors to catch up and for some to meet event organizers for the first time, including members of the race committee and the jury. The international committee and jury have been expertly curated by Race Chair, Cary Byerley, who is active and well connected in the World Sailing community.
This year, Mark Townsend rejoins the committee, this time as PRO, but he is really a triple threat – umpire, judge and PRO – and one of only five people in the world who hold all three World Sailing credentials. His CV includes top events around the world, from inshore race management at the Melges 24 world championships to serving as a judge for the Rolex Fastnet Race, Mark brings a world of experience and perspectives to the Race Committee.
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