PAGE 14 CARIBBEAN COMPASS DECEMBER 2009 —Continued from previous page “Inspired by Competition — Enhanced with Compassion”, the organizers aim to raise funds and awareness for hospice care on St. Croix. Continuum Care, Inc. is a Medicare-certified USVI company pro- viding hospice care in the US Virgin Islands. Fiscal non- profit sponsorship, provided by the St. Croix Foundation, offers donors 501(C)(3) tax-deductible sponsorship options at several levels. For more information see ad on page 17. February’s Tobago Carnival Regatta: ‘Radicall’ Niki Borde reports: “Awesome!” was one of the many words used to describe the Tobago Camival Regatta 2009, as sailors and spectators alike witnessed spec- tacular performances put on by the latest inclusion: the Windsurfing and kiteboarding competitors. Last year’s successful re-branding of the regatta that has been held in Tobago for the last 25 years has sailors worldwide wondering what surprises lie in store for them in 2010 — and Regatta Promoters Limited have no intention of letting them down. Two days after the world-famous Trinidad Camival in 2010, Tobago will host a spectacular show of its own, the Tobago Carmival Regatta from February 19th through 21st at Heritage Park, Pigeon Point, Tobago. With the continued support of the Tobago House of Assembly and the Tourism Development Company, next year’s regatta promises plenty of sailing action for the traditional big-boat racers, and the bar has been raised for the Bum Boat, Windsurfer and Kiteboard sailors as well, with far more extreme races and freestyle courses. Last year’s Bum Boat division attracted a crowd of more than 90 racers and their fans from Bequia, Grenada, Carriacou and St. Vincent. 2010 will see an added Treasure Hunt race that starts in Pigeon Point and ends in Buccoo Bay, culminating in a full day of festivities at the home of the famous “Sunday School” party. One of the primary goals of Regatta Promoters Ltd is to expand the participation of the local population in the sport of sailing; as a result the Tobago Optimist race will play a major role in bringing young local sail- ors into the 2010 competition. Dubbed a Festival of Wind, itis one of the most all- inclusive regattas in the region and will include one more surprise for the sailing enthusiasts and beach- goers alike, but Regatta Promoters are keeping mum about it! Those wanting to know will have to make their way to Tobago and continue their Carnival cele- brations on the shores of Trinidad’s sister isle. For more information visit www.sailweek.com. Stars Align for Second RORC Caribbean 600 Trish Jenkins reports: A star-studded fleet is lining up for the second annual RORC Caribbean 600. As the name suggests, this is a 605-mile race around the Caribbean islands. The 2010 race will start on February 22nd from Antigua, and is already amassing a fleet starring some of the best sailors from around the world. The race record holder, the 100-foot super maxi ICAP Leopard, owned by London property millionaire Mike Slade, will be shipped from Sydney in January after sail- ing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. Taking the same ship as Leopard will be the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race winner, Niklas Zennstrom’s JV72, Ran, which will also be attempting to win the Rolex Sydney Hobart. Joining them will be 80-foot Beau Geste, whose owner Karl Kwok hails from Hong Kong and has a crew of pro- fessional sailors with lots of America’s Cup experience. From the US we can expect to see two very compet- itive boats: the STP 65 Rosebud, owned by Roger Sturgeon, who won the 2007 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, and Tom Hill’s brand-new Reichel Pugh 75 Titan. Last year’s overall winner, Adrian Lee’s Cookson 50, Lee Overlay Pariners, will be back to defend her title against opposition from her sister ship, Privateer, which is based on the US East Coast. From Italy, Danilo Salsi’s Swan 90, DSK Pioneer, will also be back, and one can expect to see some of the Class 40s after their Atlantic crossing in the ‘Solidaire du Chocolat’ two-handed race from France to Mexico. John Burnie, one of the founders of the race and a member of both RORC and Antigua Yacht Club (who support the race), says, “This race is destined to become one of the classic ocean races, ranked alongside the world-famous Rolex Fastnet and Rolex Sydney Hobart races. The quality of the competitors means that the world’s media will be focused on Antigua and the Caribbean next February.” John will be sailing Region Guadeloupe, the ORMA 60 trimaran that he chartered for the 2009 race. For more information visit www.caribbean600.rorc. org. South Grenada Regatta to Round Out February The dates of the South Grenada Regatta 2010 are February 26th through 28th, 2010, the last weekend in the month. The event, based at Le Phare Bleu Marina, will feature somewhat shorter courses than last year (more time for fun ashore!) and a third race will be added. The Junior Sailing will be organized on the Saturday, and Sunday will be for relaxation, family and fun. One other significant change is the registra- tion fee — now only USS50! For more information see ad on page 17. Inaugural BVI Kite Jam for March March Ist through 5th, 2010, will see a unique kite- boarding experience presented by the BVI Tourist Board. BVI Kite Jam is aimed at building awareness of the BVI to the international kiteboarding community. The event will bring together amateurs and profession- als with competitions, demonstrations, and technique clinics taking place in key locations including Necker Island, the North Sound, Virgin Gorda and Anegada. Sir Richard Branson, an avid kiteboarder, conceived the event after staging an impromptu race with friends between Necker Island and Anegada. BVI Kite Jam will kick off on February 27th with a VIP Party at the Fat Virgin Café on Virgin Gorda. Additional events, competitions, parties and meals will be hosted at Necker Island, Bitter End Yacht Club, Anegada and Moskito Island. In addition, the event will support green and eco-friendly operations by obtaining a Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta Certification in conjunction with BVI Kite Jam accom- modation partner Sunsail Yachts. Clean Regattas is a third-party certification program that helps regattas, yacht clubs and sailing programs voluntarily achieve higher environmental standards. For more information visit www.bvikitejam.com. —Continued on next page CLEAR SKIES FORECASTED FOR THIS SAFE HARBOR Seru Boca Marina, Curagao’s finest private harbor, has openings for dockage. Located outside the hurricane belt in the protected waters of Spanish Water Bay, Seru Boca Marina is considered one of the finest and safest yacht anchorages in the Caribbean, SE Oca MARINA ® The most advanced design on Curacao. ® Floating docks engineered in Holland. ® Accommodation for 68 yachts up to 150 ft. / 15 ft. draft, ® Electrical power (127 and 220), ® Cable T.V. and potable water available. ® Marina staff monitors VHF radio channel 67 and are available Porta Blancu, PO, Box 4816, Curagan, M.A, Tel. (399 9) 767-9042, fan (599 9) 767-9003 E-mail: stharba@ attglobal.net www. santabarbaraplantation.com to assist boaters in docking and leaving the Marina, as well as to assist in locating pence services as needed. ®Seru Boca Marina is a safe harbor that offers 24 hours security, For information on rates and facilities, call (599 9) 560-2599 = Be sama Barbara PLaittaTion AD SPANIS OS WAT ES