Southern Straits Returns April 15-17, 2022

The Doctor wasn't needed today, as a solid SSE system breeze and some localized showers brought plenty of breeze and with it a great degree of variety to the race courses. Winds again ranged from as little as 7 knots to upwards of 20 knots in the localized squalls. The variance in the breeze was to the liking of some and chagrin of others.

The second week of the event is starting to take shape with some interesting story lines developing. In Star land, the series leader after 4 races, defending Olympic Gold Medallists from GBR Percy/Simpson, received their second yellow flag for kinetics (pumping rule) in Race 5, forcing them to withdraw from that race.

Barbados is the official title sponsor of the 2011 Beneteau First 36.7 North American Championship in Toronto, Ontario. This year’s race, from September 8 to 11, marks the 10th anniversary of this North American Class Regatta event and is the first time it will be held in Canadian waters. The weekend will host multiple sailing races over four days and on-shore events including an evening celebration at the National Yacht Club on Friday, September 9, 2011 featuring Barbadian entertainment and a themed menu from the Caribbean’s first and only Zagat rated island.

'It is our distinct pleasure to partner with the National Yacht Club for the 2011 Beneteau championship,' said Cheryl Carter, Senior Business Development Manager for the Barbados Tourism Authority.

The motto for the Heineken Regatta in Sint Maarten, now in its 31st year, is perfect in both conception and execution. And if the festivities so far are any indication, this year’s race series will be another exercise in 'Serious Fun.'

They’re already halfway there. Ground zero is the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, a two-storey building right beside the lift bridge leading to Simpson Bay Lagoon. From the yacht club you can’t help but stare out at the fleet of megayachts moored and berthed in the lagoon.

Great wind made for ideal conditions to run a double round robin, comprising 36 races, for the nine skippers competing for the Grade 3 York Cup Match Race at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club on Saturday, August 7th. Hats off to Chris Cook, the PRO, for his expert race management over the weekend with course changes, square lines and perfectly timed races.