Magnolia, an authentic 1910 build Cornwall Crabber sailboat that has been completely restored by Mike Stam in St.Maarten.

Early registration for the January 21- 24, 2010 St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta are coming in at full speed. Several classic and vintage yachts have again announced their participation, "Lone Fox", winner of the last and the previous regatta, and Richard West's Anguillan yacht "Charm III" which also won the regatta twice will both be back. In addition, previous unknown yachts to this classic regatta will also race. Philip Walwyn, owner of the well know 12M "Kate", has now also acquired a classic Philip Rhodes designed yacht that will participate. Beautiful authentic 1910 build Cornwall Crabber vintage yacht Magnolia will celebrate its 100th birthday, having undergone a complete refit, she is ready to sail.

The upcoming regatta will include with the typical "WorkBoats"and for the first time, the traditional wooden sloops from the Grenadines build mainly in Cariacou. Laurie Gumbs from Anguilla, who has been helping out during all the previous regattas as buoy and mark layer has acquired one of those and will participate in the event. All the Caribbean owners of those boats have been contacted by the organization in the hope to attract several more.

In addition, a 'Spirit of Classic' class will be included to give yacht owners a chance to participate with boats that are do not technically qualified in Classic, Vintage, Spirit of Tradition or other existing classes, but are still old and have classic lines or other capacities. Owners of those "look alike" classics are invited to contact the technical committee in order to submit their yacht for inspection and approval to participate.

The beautiful yacht 'Grote Meid' owned by Paul Van Koelen has undergone a huge and complete haul over/refit in Curacao and will sail back to SXM together with the classic yacht 'Alert' to participate in the regatta. 'Grote Meid' offers a 3 day regatta participation charter for US $1000 per person to interested businesses or private persons. Regatta charters are also available on board several other classics during the event. For more information check out www.ClassicYachtForCharter.com

In addition to the Classic Yacht Regatta, on Saturday January 23rd, 2010, the 12M Challenge America's Cup boats will be racing in Great Bay. Famous St.Maarten/St.Martin VIP's and stars from other countries will participate together with people from the general public in this "regatta in a regatta" to raise funds for the Nature Foundation and the Sint Maarten Diabetes Foundation. The 12 M Challenge have donated the use of their race yachts for the event and tickets will be offered starting at US $100.

Aquamania from Pelican is this year's sponsor of the spectator catamaran "Tango" for VIP's and general public on Friday. Reservations can be made trough the regatta office or directly trough Aquamania Adventures. Spectator tickets are available for US $25 per person. aquamania@sintmaarten.net, phone: 599 544 2640 / 544 2631. In addition, the St.Maarten based day charter schooner "PASSAAT" will participate again in January and is also sponsor as VIP ship on Friday during the regatta. Spectator tickets to sail on board Passaat for the general public can be reserved for every regatta day at  sailholiday@caribserve.net or phone: +5995803301

As previously announced, Holland House Beach Hotel on the boardwalk and Frontstreet in Philipsburg is the new main venue for the regatta and hosts the event headquarters. The regatta office will be in the conference room in the hotel lobby the week prior to the regatta and during all regatta days. Holland House is also one of the main event sponsors. Fort Louis Marina in Marigot will be the first race day venue and arrival place on Friday with the marina again offering, subject to availability, complementary dock space for the classic yachts.

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