Caribbean prepares for regattas in 2021

Caribbean Regatta organizers have confirmed their 2021 racing calendar despite the challenges presented by COVID-19.

While consistent protocols and requirements across the region are unlikely as each island is an independent country, the Caribbean governments are increasingly looking at travel bubbles between some islands to assist with inter-Caribbean travel.

In order to assist in the planning process and communication, the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) has created a Regatta COVID-19 Update page linking to each regattas website where any information on modification to the event and local protocols can be found.

The Notice of Race are online for Barbados Sailing Week, St, Maarten Heineken Regatta, the Caribbean Multihull Challenge, The RORC Caribbean 600, The Superyacht Challenge Antigua, The St. Barts Bucket, and Antigua Sailing Week.

Jaime Torres, Vice President of the CSA and Race Manager of Antigua Sailing Week, recognizes how, for the majority of islands, the yachting industry plays a significant part in creating economic activity. “Governments are focused on how to enable the industry to operate while ensuring the safety of visitors and the resident yachting and wider community. A key part of the success will be ensuring visitors adhere to protocols put in place to mitigate risk and community spread of COVID-19.

“Many islands have no or very few cases and therefore continuing to protect those nations against any further cases is a priority for everyone. With safety as a given, we invite our international and regional sailors to join us for a season of exciting Caribbean sailing in near perfect conditions made all the sweeter by the absence of racing this year.”

Lucy Jackson, owner of LV Yachting has been working with the CSA to flag issues and help the CSA understand the concerns of charter companies and can’t wait to get out to the Caribbean. “There are lots of teams keen to get back out on the water after a disappointing 2020 racing season in the UK and Europe. It is great to see the positive work being put in by the regatta organisers in the Caribbean to run COVID 19 safe events in 2021.”

2021 Caribbean Schedule
Jan 16-24, 2021 – Barbados Sailing Week – Barbados
Feb 5-7, 2021 – Grenada Sailing Week – Grenada
Feb 5-7, 2021 – Caribbean Multihull Challenge – St. Maarten
Feb 22-26, 2021 – RORC Caribbean 600 – Antigua
Mar 4-7, 2021 – St. Maarten Heineken Regatta – St. Maarten
Mar 10-14, 2021 – Antigua Superyacht Challenge – Antigua
Mar 18-21, 2021 – St. Barths Bucket – St. Barths
Mar 26-28, 2021 – St. Thomas International Regatta – St. Thomas
Mar 29-Apr 4, 2021 – BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival – BVI
Mar 31-Apr 6, 2021 – Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta – Antigua
Apr 11-17, 2021 – Les Voiles de St. Barths – St. Barths
Apr 24-30, 2021 – Antigua Sailing Week – Antigua

Event information: https://caribbean-sailing.com/regatta-covid-updates/
Charter information: https://caribbean-sailing.com/yachtcharter/