Last weekend, in the regular St Maarten Yacht Club Series, Phillippe Herve proved that he may be the best hope for St Martin in the upcoming North Sails Regatta Caribbean Championships next weekend. To date no St Maarten/St Martin sailor has placed in the first three of the event

Herve was sometimes far ahead of the fleet showing great boatspeed in the typical flukey conditions of the lagoon (Oyster Pond) . His sailing experience includes world championships in the half ton class as well as national French championships. He also has experience helming maxi yachts as well.

The Rodriquez family from the Dominican Republic who are the owners of a set of Melges 24 and Celtic V, which was campaigned so intensely and successfully in many Caribbean events this year, are slated to come and the possibility of them sailing in a one design class against the high level entry list must be good for Caribbean sailing. The current entry list shows six teams from Sint Maarten and Saint Martin and ten from other territories. However, there is some doubt this week about the participation of the Dominican team.

Friday afternoon will see practice races taking place in the lagoon so that all participants are at least reasonably familiar with the one design Jeanneau Sunfasts when the first start takes place at 9am on Saturday, June 18 . The teams will first participate in a sail off which will determine the gold and silver fleets which will the basis of competition for the rest of the event.

St Maarten sailors are invited to welcome the teams at the registration at the yacht club on Friday 17th at cocktail hour and to join the teams at the yacht club for a dinner on Saturday 18th. As the races take place right off the dock at Uncle Harrys restaurant, there will be an outstanding opportunity for St Maarteners to watch the very highest quality of yacht racing in one design boats at close quarters. Competition is likely to to get intense as teams dig deep in their talent pools to become Caribbean Champion.

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