HEINEKEN REGATTA: SMALL BOATS, BIG TALENT RETURN TO THE 43RD ST MAARTEN HEINEKEN REGATTA
2 December 2022 – Simpson Bay, St Maarten – The 43rd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta takes place from March 2-5 2023, with four adrenalin and fun-filled days of multi-class racing out of Simpson Bay. Hundreds of international sailors and their racing yachts have already ear-marked this bucket-list event in their diaries, eagerly anticipating the well-organized and varied racing that this regatta delivers.
A major attraction of the event is its variety. On the water there’s everything from Maxis with their highly-polished, high-performance professional crews, through to thrill-seeking catamarans, and close racing within the sportsboat classes, with skippers and crews ranging from Olympic sailors, world-class tacticians and navigators to newcomers. There’s the opportunity for anyone to come and have a go – whether a seasoned sailor, a first-timer on a crewed charter yacht or a group of friends hiring a bareboat. Even live-aboards and world travelers enjoy the Regatta’s “Serious Fun” by competing in the Island Time class races.
With over 35 countries participating, entries already received for 2023 will see some exciting battles in the highly contested small boat classes. The popular sportsboat divisions will see more than 25 yachts comprising up-and-coming along with legendary local talent from St. Maarten/Martin, Antigua, and Barbados, as well as from the USA and the UK.
Antiguan-based American Pamala Baldwin, who offers places on her J122 Liquid for young and rising talent to gain international racing experience, says the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is perfect for some of the most competitive racing in the Caribbean. She says, “St. Maarten Heineken Regatta offers everything in one package. There’s non-stop action on and off the water – pure adrenaline!”