Participants lining up for the Budget Marine Challenge set for this weekend

Sunday January 29th will be the second annual Budget Marine Challenge in Sint Maarten. This longstanding traditional race model, developed in Curacao, is aimed at local boats that want a solid day of racing with the extra interest factor of an anchor start. This year will be a one day affair with a lunch stop in Great Bay at Bobby’s Marina.

In the more racy boats, Kick em Jenny (Ian Hope Ross) will be up against John Gifford (Fiji Water) and Island Water World 2 (Arthur Banting). Joris van den Eynden will sail his father’s Panic Attack (it has recently been scoring well on rating in the Course d’Alliance).

In the only slightly less racy boats Bobby Velasquez (L’Esperance) is going to continue the epic competition with Budget Marine/Micron 99 (Robbie Ferron) but there will also be Ben Jelic whose J-aguar, J120 now is rebuilt and rebulbed. The new keel on J-aguar will have a bulb whose shape should be better matched to the hull of the J120. Ben has already shown his understanding of hull shapes through the modifications he did on Wild Devil.

Garth Steyn will be out on his Catallina 36, Moondance and he should have a good race against Timothy Young who has promised to not only launch but also sail his Beneteau 41f5.

Present forecasts for Sunday show a 13-15 knot wind speed.

Want to join us? Come to Lagoonies on Saturday evening at 6 pm to register. Cost is USD 20. This event is sponsored by Budget Marine, the Caribbean’s Leading Chandlery with the widest range of marine products.

Extra information about the race:

The first race will not start before 10 am from a starting area on the north side of the bridge in Simpson Bay somewhere between the bridge and Karakter restaurant. You will get sailing instructions that will require you to keep the crew below decks on the final minute before the start whilst the sails are down and at anchor.

During the lunch break you can park your boat free anywhere at Bobbys Marina unless the dockmaster specifically says you cannot on certain spots. You will have to pay for fuel and water of course. We are suggesting to have lunch at the Greenhouse but you can also bring sandwiches and have them on the nice shaded seating area that Bobby has.

After the Race …… no rush ……the prizegiving will be on Tuesday evening at Lagoonies at 6 pm so you can be fresh and relaxed.

With last year’s team of participants:

Participants lining up for the Budget Marine Challenge set for this weekend 1