Team Sunsail/Sea Rescue II display their first place trophy.

The first annual Rescuers Regatta, organized by the St.Maarten Heineken Regatta committee, was deemed a complete success. The event was born out the desire for the Sint Maarten Yacht Club to have more contact socially with the members of the Coast Guard, Sea Rescues French and Dutch as well as the Port Authority as they play such an important role in the St.Maarten Heineken Regatta. Usually these organizations work together with great efficiency, but rarely have the chance to get together for some fun, thus the Rescuers Regatta was born.

Teams competed from the Coast Guard, the St.Maarten Port Authority, Sea Rescue St.Maarten and the Regatta Steering Committee. Participants raced a triangle course in the lagoon close to Nettle Bay St. Martin. Team Sunsail/Sea Rescue II, skippered by Willem Bliek, took first place with a total of 11 points. Team Lambordinghy of the Steering Committee, skippered by Rien Korteknie, took second place with a total of 15 points.

Team Heineken Fun Sailing, comprised of Steering committee members took fifth place, while Team Friends of Old Sailor Eddy Johnson, a combination team of The Port Authority and the Coast Guard took a solid fourth place with 27 points. Sunsail/Sea Rescue 1, skippered by Jan Drost of Sea Rescue, finished third.

To add to the spirit of fun, prizes for best dressed, most consistent, most time spent on the race course and best crew with the slowest boat were given.
All those who participated enthusiastically want a repeat, as for many this was the first time they had sailed a race, and for some the first time in a sailboat.

The first place trophy, a large orange life ring, will be held in the Sea Rescue office until the next Rescuers Regatta when it will be returned to the yacht Club until the new winner is crowned.

© Copyright 2001/2002 caribbeanracing.com

Top of Page

A seriously dry dry-bag. Throw it in and swim ashore with it	Here's an excellent watch - proven as a startline winner in the BVI IC24 fleet.	Another must-have for small boat racing.	Gloves for the weekend warrior.