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 yr for the occasion. He mentioned it marked the start of a five-year advertising and marketing 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 yr the week was deemed one of the crucial inclusive as occasions reminiscent of 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 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 mentioned.
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 a couple of. Spectators may even monitor the boats through the YB Races mobiles utility, which lets you monitor stay boat races across the globe.
Barbadian Zachary Stuart was stationed at La Cabane shiny and early to observe his daughter Savannah compete on the Rapajam. He spent the day following his daughter and the race across the island, making a cease at a couple of viewing factors.
This was his first time watching the race and he was very proud and nervous to observe his daughter out on the waters.
The hottest viewing level was Animal Flower Cave, because the north level of the island is probably 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 tough, it’s thrilling and contains totally different points 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 taking part 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 acquired a purple cap that includes the Mount Gay emblem, the identify of the regatta and the yr. During the primary historic Round Barbados race, most boats sailed for the dignity 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, for those who win a purple 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 fans all gathered on the Cruising Club to rejoice the sailors and a profitable week with stay 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 data on journey to Barbados, go to visitbarbados.org, comply with on Facebook, and through Twitter @Barbados.
article courtesy of Rhe-Ann Prescod, Visit Barbados
