User:Heinekenregatta

St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
It is said that the winners write the history. This is certainly true of the Sint Maarten Yacht Clubs’ Heineken Regatta. The winners in this case being the volunteers, the sponsors and the participants, forming a unique triangle, which, perhaps not coincidentally, is the strongest of geometric shapes. And it is upon this firm base that 30 years of Regatta history have been built.

From modest beginnings our regatta has become not only the largest sailing event in the Caribbean, but has also achieved world status as a first class event. The racing and parties are of course legendary, but the overall atmosphere is equally appealing. During the day, dashing dinghies, fluttering battle flags, on-shore displays set the tone .And at night a brilliant cascade of mast lights, seemingly challenging the stars for prominence creates an aura of pervasive excitement.

In 1980 this event began with a modest 12 entries and has matured to include over 280 participants in 2008. With over 32 different nationalities present and approximately 3000 sailors gracing our shores, this event has grown to staggering proportions and will, in 2010, prove its grandeur once again. Celebrating 30 years of “Serious Fun” this event is world class sailing in the tropic breezes of the Caribbean. Coverage on networks such as CNN and ESPN give this event the international recognition it deserves, along with over 100 members of the international media. If you have participated, volunteered or sponsored in the St.Maarten Heineken Regatta before we thank you for your contribution. If not, we invite you to join us and make some of your own!