Yachting-Grenada Week Round-Up

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image of Grand Anse Beach Grenada picture credit V.kap at en.wikipedia
Grand Anse Beach Grenada picture credit V.kap at en.wikipedia

By our editorial staff

The regatta hosted every year by the Caribbean island of Grenada is a must for  serious yachtsmen who appreciate warm, clear seas with a cooling trade wind blowing through palm trees, sandy beaches and a jug of rum at the end of the day served up by friendly locals.

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Race week was held in 2014 in the last week of January from three locations near St George’s, the capital and largest town with a third of the island’s 100,000 population.

Grenada, lying at the southern end of the Windward Islands, 100 miles north of  South America’s Venezuela, is 21 miles long and 12 wide, although it gained independence from Britain in 1974 it remains a part of the Commonwealth.

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Forty yachts took part in the regatta which included racing afloat, fun ashore and on the beach. Boats taking part ranged from a classic 63 footer from nearby Trinidad, to a J24.

The Frers’ 43′, Jaguar, crewed by our correspondent Michael O’Connell, won its class and received a 300 year old bottle of rum from sponsor’s Mount Gay.

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After a couple of days hectic racing, Sunday was a lay day with increased focus on local entertainment at Grand Anse Beach. Over 500 gathered for an afternoon of bands and partying.

The local work boats and beach catamarans took part in the festivities competing for a first prize of US$1,000 equivalent to a year’s’ wages for many. Ashore stalls of local foods and drinks added to the carnival atmosphere as relaxed folk danced to bands on floating pontoons and joined in the pirate evening!

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