30 January – 3 February 2009 there will be a new look and new features to the Grenada Sailing Festival presented by Port Louis and Camper & Nicholsons. As always there will be four days of challenging top quality racing off the island’s southern coast together with the unique crowd-pulling traditional Digicel Workboat Regatta, but this year will be the first time that international competitors will be able to race under both CSA and IRC Rules. This will make the Grenada Sailing Festival even more attractive to the growing numbers of international yachts in the Caribbean for the Season. The key focus of this move is to encourage yacht owners and skippers to spend more time in the region to enjoy the great racing conditions and famous party-loving hospitality.

Another exciting change the new initiative creating a ‘Southern Caribbean Regatta Circuit’ to kick off 2009 in the Caribbean. The Festival will now take place between the Carriacou Regatta (14 – 18 January), moved from its traditional pre- Christmas dates, and the new Tobago Carnival Regatta (10 – 14 February), creating for the first time a great three-event racing schedule in the Southern Caribbean.

There will also be a new look to the party programme for the 2009 Festival. Once the racing is over, skippers and crews will be treated to a new programme of great events and themed parties, adding to the ‘must go to’ Mount Gay Red Cap Party, plus a different mix of locations including the new Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina and Le Phare Bleu Marina, as well as the ever-popular Dodgy Dock at True Blue Bay Resort & Marina – Pure Sail, Pure Spice and More Fun for 2009.

To reflect this new style and character for the future, the event also has a brand new logo. Striking and modern, with strong sailing imagery, the logo incorporates 12 Degrees North – the latitude of the island. Check the official Grenada Sailing Festival website at www.grenadasailingfestival.com for up to date news and where entry forms are also available. Ria Delves, the newly appointed Grenada Sailing Festival administrator, can be contacted on gsail@spiceisle.com

Festival Chairman, Jimmy Bristol commented: “2009 will be an exciting year for all of us and I see the new Southern Circuit being a great incentive to skippers to keep their boats in the Southern Caribbean longer so they can find out just how much there is on offer – not only some of the best racing, but also some of the best ‘partying’ in the region. I am also very pleased to announce changes this year at the Grenada Sailing Festival – a new look; new people; a new Racing Class; new parties and more fun, and of course, excellent racing as always.’

The event for 2009 will is supported by presenting partners Port Louis and Camper & Nicholsons, in association with the Grenada Board of Tourism. The organisers also welcome back sponsors Digicel; United Insurance; Mount Gay Rum; Heineken; True Blue Bay Resort & Villas and Colombian Emeralds.

Also in Grenada, there are two other international events, the Grenada Classic Yacht Regatta from 19 – 22 February and the Le Phare Bleu Grenada Round the Island Race over the week-end of 13-15 March.

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