Barbados formally kicked off the Caribbean crusing racing season over 7 exhilarating days on the excessive seas.
The week attracted crews and spectators from the USA, the UK, Italy, Australia, and even Poland. The finish of January crusing week was organized by the Barbados Cruising Club and the Barbados Yacht Club and sponsored by the Barbados Tourism and Marketing Inc (BTMI) and Mount Gay Rum Barbados
A Pivotal Year
Corey Garrett, Director of Caribbean and Latin America, Sports for the BTMI described the 2023 version of Barbados Sailing Week as a pivotal 12 months for the occasion. He stated it marked the start of a five-year advertising plan to advertise crusing week as one of many primary sporting actions in Barbados.
“We understand how important sports tourism is in Barbados and building it as a platform for locals and for our visitors will continue to do the destination well into the future. So, forming a strong partnership with the Barbados Sailing Association, the Barbados Yacht Club and the Barbados Cruising Club will definitely take us forward as a destination,” he acknowledged.
This 12 months the week was deemed some of the inclusive as occasions comparable to kiteboarding, wing foiling and remote-control boating have been formally added to the week of occasions. Along with the anticipated offshore and junior dinghy crusing races, there was additionally a enjoyable day which included a paddle browsing race and a treasure hunt, defined Jens Thraenhart, Chief Executive Officer of BTMI.
The Legendary Race
What continues to make the week legendary is the extremely anticipated Mount Gay Round Barbados Race.
The race dates again to the Nineteen Thirties and is held yearly on January 21, a nationwide financial institution vacation, in honor of The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, who was Barbados’ first prime minister, a crusing fanatic and the co-founder of the Barbados Cruising Club.
The Round Barbados Race can also be seen because the climax of the week for a lot of, together with Race Coordinator of Barbados Sailing Week, Chris Worme.
“My highlight of the event is the Round Barbados Race which has been a tradition for a number of years.”
“It has been going on since the early days with schooners and we have tried to develop it into a bigger event as we have managed to increase it now to a 7-Day Event,” Worme stated.
Nine boats from across the globe competed within the race and even a Wing Foil tried to make it across the island.
Spectators got the prospect to view the long-lasting race from 13 designated factors across the island. Some caught up with the motion whereas eating or ‘liming’ at La Cabane, Tapas, Animal Flower, Round House, Sea Shed and John Moore Bar to call just a few. Spectators might even observe the boats by way of the YB Races mobiles software, which lets you observe dwell boat races across the globe.
Barbadian Zachary Stuart was stationed at La Cabane brilliant and early to look at his daughter Savannah compete on the Rapajam. He spent the day following his daughter and the race across the island, making a cease at just a few viewing factors.
This was his first time watching the race and he was very proud and nervous to look at his daughter out on the waters.
The hottest viewing level was Animal Flower Cave, because the north level of the island is essentially the most difficult and enthralling level of the race.
Meg Matthews and her husband Bob have been vacationing on the island from New Jersey and heard concerning the week whereas visiting the Animal Flower Cave prior. Meg beforehand sailed to Barbados so watching the race was an thrilling full-circle second.
A Unique Race
Though the race could also be troublesome, it’s thrilling and consists of totally different features of crusing in a single race. That’s why Captain Matthew Barker retains coming again to the island to take part within the race and the crusing week.
He has been collaborating for 10 years and his boat, the Blue Peter positioned second total within the Round Barbados Race.
Describing the race, he acknowledged “The race is a lot of fun, it’s hard, it’s challenging but it’s worth it because then you finish it off with rum and a red cap,” he described.
For 40 years, sailors who take part in a Mount Gay-sponsored regatta have obtained a crimson cap that includes the Mount Gay brand, the title of the regatta and the 12 months. During the primary historic Round Barbados race, most boats sailed for the honour of the quickest time and a barrel of Mount Gay Rum. Today, this honor has transitioned into reaching the coveted Mount Gay Red Cap.
The Red Cap is an esteemed image of accomplishment within the worldwide crusing neighborhood which have to be earned. Around the globe, they are saying, should you win a crimson cap, you’re a sailor, so it is smart that after a enjoyable and difficult race, the week of the occasion ends with the long-lasting Red Cap Party.
Spectators, crews and crusing fanatics all gathered on the Cruising Club to have fun the sailors and a profitable week with dwell music, deejays and naturally Mount Gay Rum, in Barbados, the Birthplace of Rum.
Full Race Results for every occasion can be found right here.
For extra info on journey to Barbados, go to visitbarbados.org, observe on Facebook, and by way of Twitter @Barbados.
article courtesy of Rhe-Ann Prescod, Visit Barbados
