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20 March 2006, 02:52 pm

Change Of Dates

St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta 2007

St Marten, Netherlands Antilles

The St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta which was held for the first time last December, has now been rescheduled to the third weekend of January 2007. The regatta was already planned again for December this year but the organizing advisory board decided to change the dates due to many requests from interested participants. Several classic yachts indicated their willingness and enthusiasm to compete in the regatta if the sailing event were to be held later in the upcoming winter season.

Whilst the first St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta, Netherlands Antilles, was sailed in the beginning of December, just before the busy charter season and before the fully booked holiday weeks, many owners, brokers, captains and crew indicated that they would not be able to make it in time for the regatta if the dates were not changed.

Yachts coming across the Atlantic generally only arrive in St.Maarten in the second week of December which is too late to participate in the classic regatta.

Most yachts have to prepare for the arrival of charter guests within a few weeks after their crossing.

Others told the organization that their insurance only covers the yachts when they stay away from the Islands in the hurricane belt, generally until 1 December, which again is too late for most yachts to sail in time to participate in the regatta.

After a solid investigation and talks with many interested sailors, the new St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta dates and tentative program has been set as follows:

Tentative program
St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta 2007

Thursday 18 January 2007

Registration day at the regatta headquarters in Palapa Center & Marina Simpson Bay and Skippers briefing at 1900 local time with official opening party (party location to be disclosed at a later date).

VIP and press cocktail on board a mega yacht at the Palapa Marina dock and the Maritime School of the West Indies at 2100 (by invitation only).

Friday 19 January 2007

Race start at 0900 in Simpson Bay.

A Tall ship class will be included if there are Tall Ships participating.

Race will finish around 1500.

Local Boat Races at Kim Sha Beach, Simpson Bay starting at 1600.

Friday evening party with live band (party location to be disclosed at a later date).

Saturday 20 January 2007

Race start at 0900 in Simpson Bay and finish in Bay Rouge.

Four star VIP beach buffet at the beach for captains, owners and invited guests from 1300 (by invitation only).

Saturday evening party with live band on the beach at Kim Sha Beach, Simpson Bay.

Sunday 21 January 2007

Race start at 1000 in Simpson Bay and finish at Simpson Bay.

Bath Tub Races at Kim Sha Beach from 1500 until 1800.

Family entertainment, para dropping, sea rescue demonstrations etc.

Sunday evening award giving ceremony at 1900 with DJ, giant buffet and silent auction at Rancho's Restaurant in Palapa Center & Marina Simpson Bay (reservations required for buffet).

The upcoming St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta will include a Tall Ship class during the race on Friday if more than two Tall Ships are participating.

There will also be a so called 'bath tub' competition with self made boats or floating devices and races with the local sail boats from St.Maarten-St.Martin and Anguilla.

The event will see a total of four parties with a main attraction on stage on Saturday night at Kim Sha Beach.

An exclusive four star lunch buffet at the beach will again be offered free of costs on Saturday for invited guests, press, owners and captains.
The official award giving ceremony and buffet will be held on Sunday followed by a silent auction from which the proceeds will go as last year to the St.Maarten Nature Foundation and the Réserve Naturel de St.Martin.

The St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta is organized by the St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta Foundation and the company West Indies Events.