September 5, 2024 – Simpson Bay, St. Maarten – The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is proud to celebrate 45 years, and four decades of “Serious Fun!” with long-time event partner Heineken. As the most-attended regatta in the Caribbean, planning is already underway with the Notice of Race now available for the 45th Regatta, set to take place March 6-9, 2025.
Race Director David Sprague, former World Sailing Director and Deputy Race Officer at the Olympic Games, rejoins the team for another year as the lead of a world-class race committee and jury. With a fleet of over 100 international boats, from maxis to sportsboats, multihulls and monohulls, racers and cruisers alike, the Regatta’s race committee has their work cut out for them!
“Our two separate race committees and racing areas help spread out our enormous fleet, but some days it can still be 15+ starts per start boat – which makes for exciting racing all around! Our Regatta’s mixed fleets of racing and cruising boats present a welcome challenge to our expert race committee, who love to design ideal courses for each fleet that also showcase the beautiful islands and coastline around St. Maarten,” said Race Director David Sprague.
The 44th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta was a resounding success, drawing sailors from around the world to the beautiful waters of St. Maarten. With thousands of participants from over 20 nations, the event highlighted the vibrant community spirit and world-class competition that make this regatta a staple in the international sailing calendar. Key to the event’s success were the values of inclusivity and intergenerational connections, which resonated throughout the regatta village and on the water.
Generations of Experience at the Helm
The rise of Cary Byerley as the event’s new Chairman underscores the regatta’s commitment to honoring its rich history while embracing future possibilities. Having been a core leader within the event’s race committee for two decades and a competitive racer for the decade before that, Cary embodies the spirit of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta as she leads the charge into its 45th edition.
Cary Byerley and her tenured Race Committee is joined by the new Regatta Director, Krispijn Teunissen, known for his local sport event successes as the lead of St. Maarten Road Runners events. Krispijn brings a fresh perspective and energy to the team, ensuring the Regatta continues to be an unparalleled experience for all participants.
Krispijn shares the team’s enthusiasm for building on this success: “We are excited to incorporate feedback from last year’s participants to enhance the regatta village experience further. This year, we aim to introduce more sustainability initiatives and innovative ways for attendees to connect with the action on the water. Our goal is to create an unforgettable atmosphere that captures the true essence of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.”
According to a recent survey conducted about the 44th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, participants overwhelmingly cited “the vibes” as the main draw to the Regatta Village. The lively event space at Port de Plaisance Marina and Hotel, fueled by music, entertainment, and camaraderie, creates an environment where sailors, spectators, and music lovers alike can connect and celebrate.
Catamarans can be racers (or cruisers) too! The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta offers several multihull racing classes based on rating and vessel performance capabilities. The Island Time class also offers more cruising-friendly courses for monohulls who enjoy a more relaxed Regatta pace.
“Serious Fun!” for Everyone
Part of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta’s commitment to inclusivity is the “Island Time” class, which is open to cruising boats and liveaboards, families and groups of friends who want to participate in the Regatta competition but at their own pace. The Notice of Race has a couple of pages dedicated to this class, which the Race Committee encourages boat owners who are considering racing to review. The Island Time class offers an excellent way to access Regatta Racing, even for those who have not raced in a while or are racing with novice crew.
At the 2024 event, the Island Time class grew to rival the racing and bareboat classes, with an impressive mix of boats from around the world, all with one thing in common: the desire to enjoy “Serious Fun!” Past Island Time boats have included Swans, Catalinas, Beneteaus… and even a Clipper 60 ocean race boat! Adjustable scoring is offered so every team has a chance at the podium, which results in fantastic, friendly competition across this open class.
For more information, to read the NOR, and to register for the 45th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, visit www.heinekenregatta.com
