Back at full speed

It took a year or two for the magnificent Caribbean winter racing circuit to get fully back up to pace after a terrible hurricane season followed by the handbrake of the pandemic. Now the circuit is shining brighter than ever

As the northern hemisphere cools and winter sets in, sailors from around the globe set their sights on the warm, turquoise waters of t he Caribbean. The Caribbean race circuit has long been a magnet for sailors seeking competitive thrills and tropical splendour and with a multitude of regattas, each with their own flavour, a hundred plus boats add this destination to their annual racing calendar. For both seasoned professionals and enthusiastic amateurs, the region offers an unparalleled mix of exhilarating races, stunning sailing conditions, and vibrant local culture.

Let’s start with the basics. The Caribbean offers some of the most consistent and favourable sailing conditions in the world. Trade winds provide steady breezes, typically ranging between 15 and 25kts, ensuring exciting and competitive races. The Caribbean race season boasts a diverse calendar of events, including world-renowned regattas such as the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, Antigua Sailing Week, and the BVI Spring Regatta. However, let’s not just go for the obvious, some of the more competitive and fun racing is happening in the Southern islands, with Barbados and Grenada kicking off the regatta season with their events in January.

Barbados Sailing Week is hosting feeder races after their event to Grenada Sailing Week and the Caribbean Multihull Challenge in St. Maarten in early February, strengthening the connection between the islands and regattas. Does anyone need more incentive to start the racing season in the Caribbean early?

‘2025 will be an exciting year for Barbados Sailing Week, offering free dockage for participants throughout the entire week, six days of social activities including kite surfing and wing foiling competitions. Bareboats are also welcomed in their own class this year, and particular attention will be paid to multihulls, splitting records by length, so new records will be set for 2025,’ says Marianna Polacka, organiser of Barbados Sailing Week.

The Caribbean reliably offers some of the best sailing conditions in the world.

Grenada Sailing Week is proud to announce that the event is still happening, despite all the destruction that was caused by the passage of Hurricane Beryl, which saw the eyewall of the storm make landfall directly over their beloved sister island Carriacou.

‘We are confident that we will have everything ready for our start in Carriacou and now more than ever, the islands need this injection of capital, which our regatta brings, explains Brian Sylvester, chairman of Grenada Sailing Week. ‘There's also a need for emotional support, which is a critical component of the rebuilding process, that the sailors bring along through their competitive and excited spirit,’

The beauty of the Caribbean racing circuit lies in its inclusivity. The events attract top-tier sailors and a wide range of boats, from professional crews on state-of-theart racing yachts to families and friends on leisurely cruisers. Whether you’re navigating a cuttingedge multihull or a beloved liveaboard, there’s a race for you. The camaraderie and sportsmanship fostered in these events are second to none, making every participant feel welcome.

With the addition of the Caribbean Multihull Challenge in St Maarten, the multihulls have found their sweet spot in the Caribbean with this standalone event, catering specifically to their type of racing with long distance racing rounding Saba, St. Barts and St Maarten throughout the four days, while smaller cats get to play closer to shore.

Above: HH 66 Nemo at full tilt en route to winning the 2024 Caribbean multihull challenge

This event attracts high-performance and sporty multihulls and, with the latest addition of the rally, expands their offer even further. The rally is a fantastic platform for sailors who like to participate in events, but rather not race their home: all of the fun and no worries!

It made the other events consider the needs of multihulls and how to make their events more attractive for this class, resulting in growing multihull classes throughout the Caribbean Regattas, as well as a potential overall trophy for multihulls that participate in multiple Caribbean events.

Participating in the Caribbean race season is remarkably accessible. If you own a boat, shipping it to the Caribbean is straightforward, with numerous services specialising in yacht transport, such as Peters and May and Sevenstar Yacht Transport. Alternatively, many sailors opt to charter a boat ready to race upon arrival. For those wanting the walk-inwalk- out racing experience, there are race-charter boats to meet the broadest range of racing levels and budgets. The choices are yours, from 70ft pay-for-a-spot carbon raceboats to pro-prepped racer-cruisers and large fleets of liveaboard performance cruising yachts. This flexibility means you can arrive with just your crew and gear, ready to race. For an overview of available charters for the 2025 season, check out: www.caribbean-sailing.com/ yachtcharter

The Caribbean islands are well prepared to host international sailing events, some with as much experience of 50+ years, boasting excellent marina facilities, professional repair services, and comprehensive provisioning options. Popular hubs to be stationed from are St. Maarten, Antigua and Tortola, as these islands offer top-notch amenities, ensuring your boat is raceready and your crew is comfortable.

The level of competition is just as high in the Caribbean as it is in the USA or Europe, if not a little higher. People travel from around the globe to participate in these world-class sailing events and bring their best game.

The perfect combination of wind, climate and scenery.

The regattas offer racing using the CSA rating rule. This rule was developed in the 1960s based on the specific Caribbean conditions. It allows freedom to update and upgrade as necessary and required changes are witnessed within the region and implemented. Input comes from measurers spread out over the Caribbean, who are working with different boats and racing conditions/preferences, keeping the rule relevant and based on new developments in boat building.

The ability to provide ratings last minute accurately and provide a complete certification within a day is one of the major benefits of the CSA Rating. The Caribbean is the playground of so many sailors; whether they bring their raceboat or cruiser, they can all be tempted to participate in the prestigious racing events in the Caribbean knowing a measurement can be completed last minute and at a fair price.

‘Besides a monohull and multihull rating, it developed a simplified rating rule to accommodate sailors that are in the region and want to be part of the events, without having to take out their stoves to have some level of competition. This is shown in many of the events offering a “Serious Fun Class”, or “Club Class”, making the Caribbean circuit more popular among cruisers hanging out in the region,’ explains president of CSA and former chief measurer, Bastien Pouthier.

Above: the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, world-class racing paired with non-stop entertainment ashore.

While the races are undoubtedly the highlight, the Caribbean race season offers much more than thrilling competition. The islands are famed for their hospitality, vibrant nightlife, and breathtaking natural beauty. Post-race parties are legendary, with live music, local cuisine, and plenty of rum. Off the water, explore pristine beaches and historic sites, or dive into the crystalclear waters to discover vibrant coral reefs. Bringing your family along and adding a vacation to your bucket list adventure seems like an easy decision to make.

The Caribbean race circuit is a must for any sailor looking to combine their passion for racing with the allure of a tropical paradise. Its mix of challenging races, inclusive atmosphere, and the ease of participation make it an irresistible destination. Whether you’re a professional racer or a casual sailor, the Caribbean welcomes you with open arms and steady winds. So, pack your bags, gather your crew, and set sail for an unforgettable adventure in one of the world’s most enchanting sailing destinations.

Click here for more information on the Caribbean Sailing Association »