Barbados Race Series 2015

Details:

3 COUNTRIES

• Meet in St. Lucia
• Sail to Barbados and Race in 3 events
• Race to Antigua

3 EXCITING EVENTS

• Barbados Coastal Race Series (3 days)
• The 60 mile Round Barbados race
• The 300 mile Barbados to Antigua Ocean Race

1 COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE

Overview:

The opening event of our Caribbean season takes place in January. The historic race around the Caribbean Isle of Barbados dates back to the 19th century and is based upon bragging rights for the fastest “Trading Schooner”. This was a prize worth its' weight in gold to captains in an era where prices for cargo arriving ahead of that of rival ships commanded a massive premium.

Whilst most boats sailed the race for the honour of achieving the fastest time, the consolation prize (a barrel of Mount Gay Rum for the slowest) certainly spurred on some captains; indeed the consolation prize had to be discontinued after two boats remained out at sea for days, stalling so that they could take the rum prize!

In the modern day, prizes are slightly different and any yacht beating a record will win the skipper's weight in rum.

The Stormforce Coaching Barbados package is a fun fortnight; consisting of two passages and three events, for those who don't take life too seriously and want to enjoy some Caribbean partying and sailing. The variety of racing, relaxed timings between events and visiting three countries makes for a very special holiday and regatta. Can you think of a better place to be in late January?

Following the success of our 2014 team we will be entering a team again in 2015, but spaces are limited. Contact us to book your place on board!

Pre Requisites:

• Minimum age 18
• We expect all crew to have a basic competence in sailing, i.e. to be familiar with the points of sail, use of winches, handling lines and so on. In reality many crew who sign up for this package will be far more experienced. A mixed experience of crew works well for this event.

Course Content:

If the crow flew in a circle, the Round Barbados Race would be around 60 miles long. However, as we're not racing crows, yachts end up doing around 70 miles plus. The trade winds and incredible sailing conditions make it a great course. Starting at the Barbados Cruising Club, we sail through the historic Carlisle Bay, pass the deep water harbour to starboard and then begin a 20 mile tight reach in calm water up the platinum coast of Barbados, passing the homes and haunts of the very rich and very famous. After rounding the top of the island, we encounter the full force of the Atlantic with nothing between us and Africa but ocean. We will then face a good 7 mile plus beat in tricky currents, windshifts and some big waves. Follow this with a 20 mile fetch, riding those same waves beam on, trying to maximise speed without losing height enough to clear East Point. Bear away and hoist through the big, breaking Atlantic rollers for a fantastic 18 mile downwind slide along the south coast. Drop the kite and skate round the South West corner of the island to the finish! Stop the clock and see if it’s time to fatten the skipper up ready for the weigh in!

The Coastal Race series (which includes the 18 Two Restaurants Race) is a warm up to the big event, starting off at the Barbados Cruising Club. Three days of racing make use of the Southern and Western coast of Barbados.

Our time in Barbados culminates with the 300 mile Barbados to Antigua Ocean race. The course leaves all islands south of Les Desirade to port and finishes at English Harbour in Antigua.

Course Programme:

The 2015 programme:

• 13 January - Team welcome dinner (Rodney Bay, St. Lucia)
• 14 January - Inshore race training:
  • Packing, hoisting, trimming, gybing and dropping the spinnaker
  • Head sail changes and main sail reefing
  • Upwind performance and efficent tacking
  • Sail trim, boat speed and improving performance
• 15 January - Offshore passage from St. Lucia to Barbados
• 16 January - Inshore race training (Barbados)
  • Race tactics and rules
  • Start lines and mark rounding
• 16 January - Mount Gay Rum Welcome Party
• 17 January - Race day 1
• 18 January - Race day 2 - The 18 mile "Two Restaurants Race"
• 19 January - Race day 3
• 20 January - Lay day (Mount Gay Rum Tour and sponsors activities)
• 21 January - Race day 4 - The Round Barbados Race
• 22 January - Lay day - Prize giving
• 23 January - Boat preparation & farewell party
• 24 January - 300 mile Barbados to Antigua Ocean Race Starts
• 25 January - Cross the finish line in Antigua
• Disembark

What's Included:

At Stormforce Coaching, our comprehensive package includes full training and three race events:

• Accommodation on board the yacht during the St Lucia to Barbados passage and the Barbados to Antigua Race
• Experienced Race Skipper / Instructor
• Entry into all the events / races
• Soft drinks and lunches on board for all sailing days
• Breakfasts and dinners on board for the passage and ocean race
• General boat expenses (berthing, diesel, gas)
• Loan of a life jacket
• Pre-event race training
• 6 days of racing (3 events)
• Plenty of Caribbean partying
• Crew shirt to wear for the 3 events and take home as a souvenir

What's Not Included:

• Meals ashore
• Flights
• Airport transfers
• Accommodation on board the yacht in Barbados; we can recommend a good, competitively priced accommodation close to the yacht moorings and club house*

*Those more used to UK sailing often ask us if they can sleep on board the yacht in the marina during the event. In our experience the large crews that we race with prefer the air conditioned hotel or B&B option. This benefits us all, in that the boat is not cluttered with personal kit during racing. Hence we all sleep aboard for the offhsore passage from St Lucia to Barbados and again for the Ocean race from Barbados to Antigua but sleep ashore when in port.

Booking:

Preferential rates are available for teams and whole crews. Please speak to one of our Course Advisors for more information.

Why choose Stormforce Coaching for this course?:

Our 2014 team was the 1st sea school boat and the 1st F40.7 in all three events. Our overall results included;

• Line Honours for all under 60 foot monohulls in the Round Barbados Race
• 2nd in class for the Round Barbados Race
• 1st overall in the Barbados to Antigua Race

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