The Battle Begins with Today’s Gill Commodore’s Cup

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px|||” z_index_tablet=”500″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.6″ width=”100%” z_index_tablet=”500″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Pressrelease.jpg” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.0.9″ z_index_tablet=”500″ hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” alt=”The Battle Begins with Today’s Gill Commodore’s Cup” title_text=”The Battle Begins with Today’s Gill Commodore’s Cup”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta started with a bang today, with 68 of the 100 teams taking to the water for the event’s separately scored Gill Commodore’s Cup. In light but consistent breeze, Maxi, Ocean Racing, CSA and Bareboat Classes set out on a series of stadium-style races off Simpson Bay, competing in short around-the-buoy courses. Taking home the event’s coveted “Most Worthy Yacht” trophy was Sam Talbot’s team aboard the J/111 Spike, which finished with straight bullets in three races held in the fiercely competitive CSA 3 Class.
“We were up against a lot of very competitive boats that are well known on the Caribbean circuit, so we were excited with this outcome,” said Talbot whose team of U.S. and BVI sailors is probably one of the younger ones competing, with the average age onboard being 30. The team has its work cut out for it, with heavy hitters such as U.S. entrants El Ocaso, Touch2Play and Apollo biting at their heels.
“This is my second time racing in the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta and we are so happy to see such an incredible turnout of competition. We owe today’s win to some great crew work onboard and will have to stay on our ‘A Game’ for the remaining three days, as we now have a target on our back.”
Also posting victories in all its races for the day was Neil Harvey and Mike Cannon’s Dufour 44 KHS&S Contractors in the event’s highly competitive Bareboat Class. The U.S. team raced with Paralympic sailor Brad Kendall trimming the main. “We have an awesome crew sailing with us, and the conditions really worked well for the boat today,” said Harvey, who has raced in the regatta for the past 15 years and is always a top contender for the win. “We normally race on a different charter boat, but we weren’t able to get that one due to the damage from the Hurricane. However, this boat today was incredible and complemented our team beautifully. We are curious to see how we fare as the conditions lighten in the coming days, but regardless, we know it will be a fun time.”
On Friday, the fleet will embark on the event’s famed 26 nautical mile Around-the Island Race before taking to buoy and coastal races on Saturday and Sunday.
For full results, visit http://regattaguru.com/heineken/100254
For press inquiries, please contact Media Coordinator Kirsten Ferguson, +1 (401) 330-7889, kirsten.ferguson@mediapronewport.com
St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
38 years strong and it just keeps getting better. Four days of world-class racing with some of the world’s most seasoned sailors, from more than 35 countries, sailing Maxis, Monohulls and Performance Multihulls to holiday-makers on chartered Bareboats and 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. And with Heineken as title sponsor, the racing days blend seamlessly into four nights of exceptional parties. This event is your bucket list must-do! Come and enjoy life in the Caribbean, come for some Serious Fun from March 1-4, 2018!
For full information on the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, including results, photos, videos, party- and band information, and much, much more, visit www.heinekenregatta.com.
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