DAY 3 - CARIBBEAN SUPERYACHT REGATTA & RENDEZVOUS 2011
After a night on the tiles following the Mount Gay Cocktail and Canapé competition, many of those on board were a little dusty this morning as the yachts headed out for the final show down.
A fantastic camaraderie has developed between the yachts, egged on today by the presence of a stunning fleet of motor yachts which came to watch the start. This created a real carnival atmosphere on the water, but the yachts had a serious mission - to win. The predators circled each other closer today than on previous starts, eyes were glued to competitors and the estimates to the start line were precision timed.
Course 1 consisted of a 1.5 mile beat to windward, a long spinnaker run which would take the fleet around the Dog Islands, opposite to the Day 1 course, and a beat to the finish.
It was truly an amazing sight to see the motor yachts join in the fun, giving the sailing yachts an audience to show off in front of and, perhaps, a jolt to work that little bit harder! A sense of occasion rippled through the fleet on another glorious day with light winds to start at 8-10 knots.
Zefira, Twizzle and Lady B seemingly set off in a trio heading to the first mark, with the excitement building as Lady B does a stunning round of the mark taking Zefira.
Behind Zefira is Twizzle, with the big boys Hanuman and Sojana screaming up to the first mark. As Twizzle hoists her missen staysail, Zefiro nips inside with Hanuman seemingly attached to her stern. Unable to clear Zefiro, Hanuman surprisingly becomes the meat in the sandwich with Twizzle upwind and Zefiro downwind as they go round the mark. Zefiro holds the might of Hanuman at bay until they have enough room to duck her stern as Zefiro leaves a gap when putting up her spinnaker for the downwind leg.
Hanuman takes full advantage and its not long before she hoists with professional ease and takes flight. With Hanuman gone, Twizzle is determined to roll over Zefiro on the spinnaker hoist and all the hard work comes good.
As the fleet splits, some gybe to look for wind closer to shore while others stay out. As the angle closes and we head for the Dog Islands the fleet closes up bringing Zefira, Hanuman, Sojana and Twizzle closer together, with Aiyana and Zefiro closing in from the port side. What a spectacular scene as the kites come down ready to do a racing gybe round West Dog island, which is less than a boat length away. The motor yachts Grand Finale, Blind Date, Go and Chanticleer were all treated to a close encounter as they enjoyed lunch at anchor. The owners of Blind Date were so taken with the racing they got into their tender to come and see the fleet at close quarters.
As the yachts race to the finish line, Twizzle marks the occasion by blasting the committee boat with a blast from her cannon.
Prize Giving
Owners and their crews were thanked by Tony Harris, CEO of Boat International Media, Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo of YCCS and David V. Johnson of Victor International for making the first event in the BVI such a fantastic occasion.
First prize for the Mount Gay Cocktail and Canapé Competition goes to Zefira's Kerie Land. The Judges commented: ‘It felt like a real effort to make an original cocktail, in the spirit of the forties and fifties. They were brave enough to try something different and we could really see the effort behind it.’ A special prize for Best Canapé also went to Gran Finale chef, Ashley Cole.
The second prize for the Motor Yacht Spirit of the Regatta goes to the yacht Constellation, with first prize going to Chanticleer for participating in every aspect of the Regatta.
Overall winner of the Boat International Media Trophy for the Caribbean Superyacht Regatta goes to Jim Clark for Hanuman. Mr Clark was delighted to be presented with the perpetual cup commenting: ‘First of all, I want to keep this trophy and I will pay for a replacement...'
After a thrilling final race day, guests now look forward to a fantastic evening of entertainment at Oil Nut Bay for the much anticipated Full Moon Party. Guests are requested to wear white for this glamorous occasion with music and dancing on the beach into the early hours. With all of the hard work now out of the way, it really is time to kick back and party!
For further information please contact:
Alexis Naylor
Events Executive
Boat International Media
T: +44 (0) 7971 438671
E: alexis.naylor@boatinternationalmedia.com