Moving day at Grenada Sailing Week

(January 30, 2020) – After a lay day yesterday, racing at Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week continued today with all classes enjoying a lively passage race from Grand Anse Beach on the sheltered west coast of Grenada to the south side of the island that’s more exposed to the trade winds emanating from the Atlantic Ocean.

Competitors reported 17 knots of wind with a modest ocean swell. All classes except the Classics also had additional short course racing on the South Coast of the Spice Island. There were race wins today for: Liquid (ANT), La Morrigane (FRA), Rasmus (AUT), C-MOS (TRI), Shangri La (BAR), Die Hard (GRN), Fadeaway (BAR), and Jabal (LCA).

In CSA 1, Pamala Baldwin’s J/122 Liquid (ANT) continue to impress in the big boat class scoring a 1-2-2 today opening up a five point lead at the top of the class from their nearest rival, Richard Szyjan’s Hobie 33 Category 5 (GRN). Rob Butler’s Reflex 38 Touch2Play Racing (CAN) stays on the podium. After Tristan Marmousez La Morrigane (FRA) did not start well, failing to finish the transition race, the team bounced back with two bullets.

“We broke our goose neck on the mast in the first race,” commented La Morrigane’s Marmousez. “We pulled into Prickly Bay and contacted Turbulence who support the regatta. We are so grateful to Richard (Szyjan) and his company. It was such a shame because we were so looking forward to the heavier conditions that the crew and the boat love it. We came out fighting and won the next two races which was fantastic!”

In CSA 3, Dieter Huppenkothen’s Swan 43 Rasmus (AUT) reveled in the conditions to score two wins today, propelling the team from Vienna to first in class. Norman Da Costa’a Soveral 42 C-MOS was leading the class but drops to second today after a 4-2, C-MOS is just a point behind Rasmus. Edward and Jonathan Kacal’s First 38 Petit Careme (TRI) is third in class.

“The wind and waves were perfect for Rasmus today,” commented Huppenkothen. “Rasmus is so exciting to race in Grenada when the wind blows. She will be 50 years old this year but she was built for these superb conditions. All of the Dieter Huppenkothen’s crew are so happy today.”

In the J/24 Class, Robbie Yearwood’s Die Hard (GRN) is back in business, leading the one-design fleet after 14 races. Die Hard scored three bullets today to set up a fantastic battle tomorrow, the last day of Grenada Sailing Week. Die Hard leads purely on countback from Gus Reader’s Fadeaway (BAR). Nick Forsberg’s Jabal (LCA) is third but just a point away from the leaders.

In the Classics Class Jonathan Gittens’ Morgan 41 Shangri La (BAR) scored their third bullet and now has an unassailable lead for the regatta. Walter Ollivierre Zemi (GRN) and Cal Enoe’s Free in St Barths (GRN) are tied on points for runner up spot. The two Carriacou Sloops have plenty to play for tomorrow, and fourth place Danny Donelan racing Savvy is always up for a good race.

Competition is from January 27 to 31 with a lay day on January 30.

Event information – Event details – Results – Facebook

Source: Louay Habib