Big variety at Grenada Sailing Week

(January 31, 2020) – The final day of Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week took place on the South Coast of Grenada with the trade winds pumping up to 20 knots in the gusts with a modest swell punctuated by bigger sets of rollers emanating from the Atlantic. There were race wins today for Whistler (BAR), Rasmus (AUT), The Blue Peter (GBR), Shangri La (BAR), Die Hard (GRN), Jabal (LCA), and Fadeaway (BAR).

Pamala Baldwin’s J/122 Liquid (ANT) is the overall winner of CSA1, with the young team scoring podium finishes in all ten races including five bullets. Richard Szyjan’s Hobie 33 Category 5 (GRN) was a solid second in class and Rob Butler’s Reflex 38 Touch2Play (CAN) beavered away to hold on to the last podium spot. Peter Lewis’s J/122 Whistler (CAN) finished the regatta in style taking the win in the last race.

“This is a great start to our season,” commented Baldwin. “Our consistency comes from great preparation from the team and the ability to minimize the effect of problems when they occur. The team is also very fit and when you are competing in up to three races a day, fatigue is a big factor in the last race because it can effect concentration which can cause errors.”

In CSA 3, Dieter Huppenkothen’s Swan 43 Rasmus (AUT) is the winner; in today’s two races Ramus won the first race, and after time correction, tied the second with Mathew Barker’s Alfred Milne sloop The Blue Peter. Norman Da Costa’s Soveral 42 C-MOS was second overall for the class just half a point ahead of The Blue Peter. Rasmus has been coming to the regatta for many years but this this the first time they have won their class.

The overall lead in the J/24 Class has changed every day of the regatta, but after 18 races it was Robbie Yearwood’s Die Hard (GRN) coming back off the ropes to win by a single point from Nick Forsberg’s Jabal (LCA). Gus Reader’s Fadeaway (BAR) won the last race of the regatta but finished third, three points behind the winner.

“We are called Die Hard because we never give up,” smiled Yearwood. “We are level-headed, never get twisted, and don’t harbour thoughts when things go wrong. That’s history we look forward not behind. The J/24 Class is one-design so it is very close and we get 18 races in which are tight fought and tactical. Socially we get together after racing help each other fix the boats and have a couple of beers together. We have an additional bet between us, so we have a great bottle of rum to enjoy!”

In the Classics Class, Jonathan Gittens’ Morgan 41 Shangri La (BAR) scored a perfect four bullets for the regatta. Cal Enoe’s Free in St. Barths (GRN)s won the battle of the Carriacou sloops ahead of Walter Ollivierre’s Zemi (GRN) and Danny Donelan’s Savvy (GRN).

“This is the best regatta in the Caribbean,” smiled Jonathan Gittens. “The competition is great and we have a big variety in sailing conditions. We have so much fun ashore, it is the perfect combination.”

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

Event information – Event details – Results – Facebook

Source: Louay Habib