Oyster Regatta Grenada
The last day of racing at the Oyster Regatta Grenada, sponsored by Raymarine was once again blessed with lively trade wind conditions. 20 knots of breeze, gusting at times to 25 knots, provided lively conditions for the magnificent Oyster fleet. A 12-mile course with an offshore mark set to the west meant a downwind start followed by a tight fetch to Glovers Island and a reaching finish towards Grand Anse Beach.
Class Two was away first and a very competitive start had Sue and Harvey Death’s British Oyster 56, Sarabi hitting the line with pace alongside Richard & Angela Parkinson’s Oyster 575, Sophistikate but Oyster 53, Star of India sailed by Ray & Birgitte Charmak judged the line to perfection to cross first. Class leader, British Oyster 575, Dreamer of Hamble, skippered by Chris Glossop also got away well and the favoured pin end and stayed out of bad air to take up the lead. Beautifully sailed, Dreamer of Hamble opened up a lead that was never really compromised. Taking line honours and the win for the third occasion, the Dreamer of Hamble crew raised their hands crossing the line to celebrate victory in the race and Class Two overall. Sophistikate held out to claim second in the race by just 12 seconds from Sarabi. However Sarabi finished in the top three every race and was second overall with Sophistikate placed third for the regatta.
Harvey & Sue Death and daughter Alice come from Cambridge in the UK and although Harvey loves motor racing, he has virtually never yacht raced before. “We didn’t commission Sarabi to race, next week Sue’s family are arriving and we will be cruising around Grenada and the Grenadines but I am competitive and I have really enjoyed the regatta, especially as the strong winds have definitely taught us a few things about how to manage the boat. All credit to Chris (Glossop), Dreamer of Hamble who has been so fast and a lot of that is down to the racing experience of his team.”
“We have had a smashing time in Grenada, it is my favourite Caribbean island.” Smiled Sue Death.“No racing next week though! It is time to chill out, relax and enjoy ourselves; swimming off the back of the boat in the beautiful locations we plan to visit, and firing up the barbecue and enjoying a sundowner in the cockpit.”
An identical course was set for the last scoring race of the regatta, which proved to be the most competitive in the four race series. The Oyster 82, Rivendell, skippered by Benjamin Jackson sailed a superb race to take the gun with Oyster 82, Starry Night of the Caribbean crossing in second place less than a minute later. Bill Dockser’s American Oyster 82, Ravenous II was third over the line. However, after time correction, Starry Night of the Caribbean was awarded the win and effectively the class title.
‘It has been very competitive and we have thoroughly enjoyed the regatta.” Smiled Starry Night of the Caribbean skipper, Roger Whyld. “It is not that often that we can mix it up with three other Oyster 82’s and I am sure if Pandemonium was not participating in the Oyster World Rally, she would have been here too. Hopefully we can have another great turn out soon as it has been so much fun to sail with the Starry Night of the Caribbean crew and all on board have had a great regatta.”
An exhibition Pursuit Race was held after the last scoring race of the regatta with each yacht given their own start based on their performance during the regatta. Joe & Cathy Leitch racing Oyster 575, On Liberty held their nerve to win the Pursuit Race by a comfortable margin. John McTigue’s Oyster 56, Blue Dreams was second and Roberto Bisiani’s Italian Oyster 72, Bill & Me was placed third.
After racing, Oyster Regatta sponsor Pantaenius represented by John McCurdy awarded the best starters of the day a celebratory bottle of champagne. John has done so every day at the Oyster Regatta. “Starts are incredibly important but also tinged with risk and it has been delightful to see that although this has been an incredibly competitive regatta, the competitors have acted in a safe and courteous way throughout. The Oyster Yachts are racing but the ethos of the regatta is that safety should always come first and rightly so.”
The aptly named Victory Bar and Restaurant at the Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina was the venue for the final party for the Oyster family. Delicious canapés and cocktails by the pool with fire dancers lighting up the ensemble opened the evening followed by the final prize giving ceremony. Guest of honour was Senator Brenda Hood who was joined by Nikoyan Roberts from the Grenada Board of Tourism.
“It is a pleasure for me to be here and I would like to thank everyone for participating in the Oyster Regatta,” Commented Senator Hood. “The regatta brings a lot of revenue to Grenada and the people really appreciate that you have chosen our beautiful marina as your venue. I hope you have all enjoyed your second visit to Grenada and that you will come back again, we understand the importance of yachting to Grenada and we understand the trickle down effect that your regatta will do to promote sailing here. What you see here is what you get and for those of you who believe in the Almighty God, we say that when God wants a vacation, he comes to Grenada!”
David Tydeman opened the proceedings and was assisted by Oyster Shareholder, Klaas Meertens. “A warm thank you to Grenada for giving Oyster such fantastic support and friendship in organising and hosting the regatta but the biggest thank you of all must go to the Oyster owners. Without them we couldn’t have a regatta at all and we know that the Oyster regatta programme is incredibly popular.
The awards ceremony was followed by a plate served sumptuous taster menu accompanied by fine wine and was well received by the Oyster family. After dinner, a terrific firework display lit up the marina and for those who had enough energy, live music and dancing, concluded a week-long regatta with terrific sailing and social parties.
Written by: Louay Habib
Photos: Mike Jones
