MARCH CARRIACOU SAILING SERIES 2010 by Laura Smith Tanga Langa 3 off Wayward’s stern. Here in Carriacou, Wayward beat Tanga Langa 3, but a couple of weelcs later in Grenada the roles were reversed. This is Carriacou Sailing Series, January 13th through 16th, 2010. Four brothers, Jerome, Herbie and Tony McQuilkin and Jacques Johnson, and friends too numerous to mention, join together to throw a regatta that rivals anything I have ever seen. It’s about family, and about friends that have been together for so long that they are fam- ily. Then there are the newcomers that are welcomed so lovingly you can’t help but feel as if they are family, too. Carriacou, located north of Grenada, has a vista filled with other islands. If you've never picked up a paintbrush, you would want to here, to try to capture its beauty and keep it with you in case it was your bad luck to have to leave it. My friends that have sailed here have all said the same thing: “I was going to Carriacou for the week- end and stayed for the week.” On the Sunday before the regatta I attended a very special event in the village of Windward — a boat launching. After grabbing a Stag beer, 1 walked down a small path along the black sand beach. Eventually it opened onto a small lot that emptied into the sea. My first thought was “no way”. The boat was huge. There was no mechanism for picking the boat up and placing it into the sea. Instead, after church, everyone from the village and people from all around the island congregated around the boat and it was gently pulled by the hands of men, women and children. This event took about five hours and was accompanied by music from the church choir, rum punches, and friends catching up with each other. I can only equate this expe- rience to giving birth. There’s some pushing and some screaming and then, “stop, don’t push!” Wooden planks and rollers are then redistributed at the bow of the boat and the whole thing is repeated. It’s scary and joyful. At last the final shove and she’s out of the womb and into the sea. Everyone admits she’s a true blessing! A much-needed light drizzle set a smile for all and we yacht crews were off to pre- pare for the Carriacou Sailing Series. This event, now in its 11th year, has moved from its original date in November to mid-January, making it the kickoff to the Southern Caribbean Sailing Circuit, which also includes the Grenada Sailing Festival at the end of the month and the Tobago Carnival Regatta in February. With only 12 entries in Carriacou this year boats were divided into Racing Class and a class for Melges 24s. It was a great opportunity for skippers and crews to get back into the racing rhythm and prepare with relatively low pressure for the bigger event in Grenada (see reports on page 13 and 14). Awaiting some late arrivals, Jerome McQuilkin opened the skippers’ briefing at Tyrell Bay Marina just two hours late, which was one hour better than last year. Teams relaxed in the tent to the grooving DJ and enjoyed several hours of an open bar. Daily breakfast at the Marina was delicious and appreciated, prepared by Jacques Johnson of St. Lucia and his crew. On the first day of racing action, January 14th, I crewed on Wayward (a Beneteau Oceanis 43 from Trinidad) with Carriacou-born Jerome at the helm. He took us out into Tyrell Bay for his pre-race boat blessing and sail check. First a splash of rum on the deck and then the bottle was passed to each of us; as instructed, each of us remembered someone that could not be with us. It was a poignant moment for all of NDMINOSA ANOL HIIAS YHN1 us — and I was glad that I had eaten some breakfast! The course was a tight one with the start just one mile from Tyrell Bay. A post- poned start created a tiny bit of frenzy and then we were off. In Racing Class, Richard Szyjan’s Hobie 33 from Grenada, Category 5, could not be caught and took first place. Wayward came in second and Rasmus, a Swan 43 captained by Dieter Huppenkolten, was third. The Melges 24 Class results had an all Trini line-up: Crash Test II in first, Paul Amon’s Drunken Monkey in second, and Wasabi taking third. Aprés racing, all teams were invited to a lobster barbecue on Sandy Island. We were transported, complete with the band, on the tug Kathryn for a festive afternoon of Jacques’ magical cooking featuring seasoned grilled lobster, potato salad and garden salad. The party really started rocking on the transfer back to Tyrell Bay Marina with a big lime on Kathryn's deck. Race Day Two had a surprise, with Glyn Evans’ Beneteau First 47.7, Tanga Langa 3, showing up at the start, fresh after sailing up from Grenada. This day’s course (approxi- mately 17 miles) stretched out to the Sisters Rocks and the islets of Mabouya, Jack Adan, Saline and White. It was a stunning day with windswept skies and calm seas. Thanks to an unexpected donation of around EC$3 to the wind god by a crewmember, local boat- builder Hope McLawrence, Wayward got several lifts to secure second place. Category 5 held first again, and Jerry Stewart's Carriacou-based Hughes 38, Bloody Mary, grabbed third. In the Melges 24 Class, Day Two had the same top three results as Day One. After racing, a barbecue was held in the tent at the marina with Jacques and his boys serving up grilled fish and steaks. We were once again dancing to the great music from Harrison Fleary and the Carriacou String Band. Race Day Three featured a modified version of Day Two’s course, approximately 14 miles, with Rasmus knocking Category 5 to third and Wayward placing second. The Melges 24 Class winners’ list was again identical to Days One and Two. At the January 16th prizegiving ceremony, the overall winners in Racing Class were announced: Category 5 coming in first place, Wayward second, and Wajang, Darcy Carr’s Trinidad-based Beneteau First 10, being elevated to third thanks to Rasmus's disappearance from the podium on Day Two. The Melges’ overall results — Crash Test III first, Drunken Monkey second, and Wasabi third — were no surprise. Dinner was at the Lazy Turtle on the shore of Tyrell Bay. Chef/owner Jean- Baptiste (JB) Bocquel has it all, with a great location (you can arrive by dinghy or it’s a short walk from the marina), amazingly delicious food, awesome music, attentive staff and some secret-recipe olive oil that I highly recommend on his pizzas. Late at night, it just wouldn't be right if you didn’t head to Lady Di's floating Hallalujah Bar. This converted fishing boat has been serving up the best, yes, I'm sticking to it, the best rum punch I've ever had. One thing: after one of these, be careful on the way to the head. If you don’t have your own dinghy, she offers free dinghy service. Finally, a big thank-you to Race Officer James Benoit and sponsors Peter Peake of Peakes Yacht Services, John Walker of Delta Logistics and Real McCoy (the commit- tee/support boat), and Jerome McQuilkin of Maritime Management Services. I hope to see you next year. For more information visit www.sailingcarriacou.com Carriacou's a sailing-oriented place. Here, a Windward vessel launching Inset: Harrison Fleary and his string band. Johnson Hardware Ltd. FOR YOUR MARINE HARDWARE, AND MORE Chain & Rope Anchors & Fenders Electric Wire Marine Hoses Bilge Pumps Lubricants & Oils Stainless Fasteners Stainless Fittings VHF Radios Flares & Life Jackets Snorkeling Equipment Fishing Gear Antifouling Paint Paint Brushes Epoxy Resins Sanding Paper & Discs Hand & Power Tools Houseware & Cookware Rodney Bay, St. Lucia @ Tel: (758) 452 0299 @ Fax (758) 4520311 @ e-mail: hardware@candw.lc