The BVI's Team Latitude 18 on its way to victory last year

The 5th annual North Sails Regatta to be held on St. Maarten’s Simpson Bay Lagoon over the weekend of June 17 – 18 not only brings together some of the regions leading sailors, it is setting the standard for one-design racing that other islands are now keen to follow.

“The success of the North Sails Regatta has lead to a growth in one-design racing in the Caribbean, with similar regattas in the BVI and Guadeloupe. The model is also being looked at in St. Lucia and Puerto Rico,” said event organizer Robbie Ferron.

He said in every reference to one design sailing in regional meetings the North Sails Regatta is considered the model, including the double pool system and the rotation of boats.

"The difference between the North Sails Regatta and the others is that with the ownership structure and type of boats it makes it possible for the event to require minimum outside support and sponsors and for sailors to enjoy the ultimate ‘level playing field’ in sailboat racing at the lowest cost available in the Caribbean,” he said.

This year, the North Sails Regatta Caribbean One Design Keelboat Championship has attracted a number of new teams. They will be tested against teams that return every year to do battle in this prestigious event.

Antiguan yachtsman Bernie Even-Wong has cut a dash at many a Caribbean Regatta at the helm of his Cal 40 Huey II. He is a first time entrant and, given the fierce competition between St. Maarten and Antigua in all things marine, his team could set the event on fire if he goes head-to-head with a local team in the finals.

Puerto Rico’s top racer Fraito Lugo, who last year led his team into second place, will push to become ‘numero uno’ this time around. This will be Lugo’s third North Sails Regatta, so he knows the waters and has had first hand experience against the top competition.

The island of St. Barths is producing more and more top sailors. In 2005 Markku Harmala led the St. Barths contingent into third place and no doubt believes that gold could be theirs this time. This is a feeling shared by the regatta organizers who suggest that St Barths are a team to watch.

Amongst other attending the North Sails Regatta for the first time is a team from St. Lucia, led by Nick Forsberg, and a new team from Curacao, led by Jos Schoonen.

With just over a month to go, race organizers are yet to announce which St. Marten teams will sail in the event, but the chances are that well known international yachtsman Frits Bus will head the list. He could be joined by teams led by Shag Morton of FKG Rigging and Luc Knol, winner of the silver fleet last year.

This mix of old-hands and first time competitors is a heady one. Although most competitors are from the upper echelon of Caribbean sailing, the Simpson Bay Lagoon will test them all equally. With fluky winds that can change speed and direction at an alarming rate, perhaps those with Lagoon experience will have an edge if they can handle the trying conditions as a cohesive team.

Competitors sail identical Jeanneau Sun Fast 20s provided by Lagoon Sailboat Rentals. These boats are maintained to the same high standard but, to allay any doubts, teams change boats after every race. Using a double pool system, team’s race against each other on day one to decide which of them will go into the second day of the event as part of the Gold or Silver fleet.

Sailed on the waters of the Simpson Bay Lagoon, the North Sails Regatta offers spectators the closest view of yacht racing in the Caribbean.

The event is sanctioned by the Caribbean Sailing Association (CCA) and run under the auspices of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club.

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