February 28, 2024 – Simpson Bay, St. Maarten – The 44th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta started off with a bang with full sails up and full energy turned ON!

Competition really heated up in the sportsboat class, and the starts meant everything in this hyper-competitive fleet.

The local Melges boats proved their local knowledge, with Jolyon Ferron, Skipper of Budget Marine, nailing the final race start and favoring the committee end of the start line, while the rest of the fleet went pin-end.

The lighter wind conditions hovering around 10-13 knots forced a lot of the fleet offshore, as the mountainous island laid large wind shadows over those who dared to try a shoreside route. 

Budget Marine, despite often making it around the marks first in the fleet, was ultimately scored in second place overall, with a new-to-the-Regatta Surprise 25 from Martinique taking everyone by surprise.

No, this isn't the Surprise 25 you're thinking of – GFA Caraïbes - La Morrigane, who came in 3rd today – this Surprise 25 also came from Martinique to give their fellow islanders a run for their mone.

Doub 6 / Clippers Ship took first in class, proving that sailors from Martinique are a great match for St. Maarten's top sportsboat sailors. 

March 1, 2024 – Simpson Bay, St. Maarten – Day two of the 44th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta took most of the fleet on a full circumnavigation of St. Maarten/St. Martin on the iconic Around the Island Race!

The most tactful teams might have been able to complete the course in under 30 miles, meaning it was a demanding – but "Serious Fun!" – day for the entire fleet. 

With breeze in the high teens, gusting into the 20s, it was high intensity as all boats pushed their full sail limits.

Today there was really only one main objective: come out victorious in the favorite race of the entire event – Win the Around the Island Race!

Extra trophies will be awarded at the final prize giving for teams' Around the Island performance in Multihull, Monohull and Bareboat classes, so it would certainly be worth the extra effort to push for a win today.

Race Committee added to the excitement by sending the fleet on a downwind start from Simpson Bay on the clockwise race around the island.

Leopard 3 made the start look effortless with a single bowman at the tip of their 100-foot Maxi, ensuring a graceful unfurl of their branded spinnaker.

But it was actually Saida, one of the three Swan 65s (Above left), who was first in CSA 1 to get their spinnaker up.

El Ocaso was first to have their spinnaker up in CSA 3, and Panacea X was first to launch their chute for CSA 4 – with both teams taking first in their class, nailing the start seemed to pay off!

March 2, 2024 – Simpson Bay, St. Maarten – The third day of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta was the breeziest day yet, with force 6 winds experienced through most of the day.

But as the teams began running sequence, not a single reefed main was spotted amongst the fleet – signaling the teams were committed to full sail and full send!

 Race committee set courses towards upwind marks for both fleets, with a short downwind leg to an offset mark before heading to the west side of the island.

A solid North Easterly breeze provided a short, but wet and wild ride on the mile-long broadreach leg offshore.

With 20 knots, gusting into the mid 20s, a full sail area was hard enough to balance – let alone a spinnaker!

Many boats tried to hold their spinnakers longer than they should have, causing a lot of round ups and lost ground. 

It was déjà vu seeing each fleet have their own frontrunners come in blazing with full sail, then after rounding the offset mark, would struggle with their spinnakers until the exact same bail out moment.

Each holdout was forced offshore and downwind; and each ultimately gave up their battles in the same area.

One fleet after the other, the top teams like El Ocaso, Spike, Solstice, FKG and Budget Marine all fell into the same spinnaker trap.

The jury room was also very active today, with hearings and some class results pending past the daily prize giving ceremony at 6 PM. Karibuni filed a protest for a port-starboard against Buzz Race Team, but ultimately the protest was closed as invalid due to not displaying the protest flag immediately. 

All were welcome to join the celebration at the Port de Plaisance Race Village, especially for the Grand Finale which was held on Sunday, March 3rd.

Those on island who want to join the fun could get warmed up at one of the Regatta Ready venues, such as the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, for the final Bridge Show (Video #4) at 2-3 PM Sunday afternoon. 

The party continued at the race village, with the Grand Prize Giving at 6 PM and entertainment running late into the night.

St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

Celebrating 44 years, this Regatta just keeps getting better, four days of world-class racing with some of the world's most seasoned sailors, hailing from over 35 countries.

This is genuinely a Regatta for everyone, including professional teams sailing Maxis, Monohulls, and Performance Multihulls to holiday-makers on chartered Bareboats to live-aboard families cruising the Caribbean.

Crystal clear waters and cooling northeast trade winds give the pristine conditions for spectacular racing just off the coast of St. Maarten.

This event is your bucket list must-do! Come and enjoy life in the Caribbean; come for some Serious Fun !!

Above | Swan 65 Saida & Alpha Centauri of London sailed without their mizzen mains on Day 2.