(Simpson Bay, St. Maarten)- Over 100 boats registered for the special 45th anniversary of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta! The Regatta Village at Port de Plaisance welcomed sailors from all around the world for a week of “Serious fun in the sun”!
Within the fleet were boats from 28 nations from around the world with strong presences from countries like Poland, Canada, Great Britain, USA, and Netherlands, and homegrown St Maarten talent. There were also teams representing distinctive countries like Czechovia, Ireland, Switzerland, and Australia. Here’s how it all went down for the top J/Teams sailing the event.
Day 1: Sun & Ferocious Squalls
What a combination to experience for their first day on the water! The regatta started off with a bang as the fleet experienced everything Mother Nature had to throw at them- baking sun, light winds, and ferocious squalls with gustry winds and heavy, but brief showers!
In Simpson Bay, there was one start line for the whole fleet! The racing fleets were sent off by their respective class for the iconic Around the Island race.
It was a choppy downwind start with winds averaging 12 knots from the South and teams headed west towards the first turning mark – where they would either head towards Anguilla or around the island. The race boats had a colorful start, as most made the decision to hoist their flying sails for the first downwind leg as the breeze filled in.
Throughout the day, sailors were treated to dynamic skies and varied conditions including some sunshine and fierce squalls on the east side of the island that completely enveloped the fleet. Fleets racing to Anguilla and back were lucky enough to avoid the path of the squalls.
Day 2: Light winds, Dynamic Scenery
The second day brought contrasting conditions and iconic St. Maarten scenes along the Dutch coastlines. The morning started with blue skies, bright sunshine, and a light breeze as teams gathered by the two start lines in Cole Bay and Simpson Bay.
A variety of courses were set by the Race Committee with a combination of round the marks and rocks towards Pelican and Table Rocks, and windward/ leeward courses within Simpson Bay.
The day brought a fluctuating breeze of 4-12 knots and upwind start lines were set to kick off 2-3 races for each fleet throughout the day.
It was a scene of diversity out on the water, as courses collided and fleets merged together – fitting for the key value of the day being celebrated by the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, “inclusivity.” The fleet had to weave between massive super yachts and huge “rust-bucket” tankers on their way down their respective legs on the race course.
In CSA 4, the J/133 BELLA J crew from Canada is half from Nova Scotia and half from Newfoundland. For several years, owner Ray Rhinelander has provided his boat to young Canadian sailors for inshore and offshore racing experience. BELLA J has had some competitive racing the last 2 days against a well-matched fleet.
Day 3: Beach Stadium Racing
The third day saw non-stop racing action happening on both the Dutch and French sides of the island, with a special Diam 24 beach-stadium race in Grand Case! The forecast was described as light and variable. But, once again, sailors were prepared for a day of challenging conditions. In hopes of better breeze, the Race Committee performed a ceremonial wind dance as the boats headed through Simpson Bay Bridge for the penultimate day of racing.
“The wind dance performed by the crew of Start Boat B had the desired effect. A gentle sea state with a warm 10-12 knot breeze prevailed,” said Race Committee Chair Rob Rowlands. A unique group of race courses was planned for the day, with most of the CSA fleet enjoying windward leewards to the east of Simpson Bay.
Day 4: Iconic Sights for the Finale
The final day of racing was nothing short of legendary to wrap up an amazing 45th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. Fleets made their way to their designated start boats out in Cole Bay and Simpson Bay. It was a delayed start waiting for the wind to fill in; so fleets were running the line, sailing through a sea of spectator boats who were waiting for the action to start. The Race Committee reset the course 3 different times, but finally, conditions were delivered! Once the wind arrived, it sustained, giving sailors a champagne sailing day on the crystal-clear water.
The courses created by the Race Committee were a mix of random legs and windward-leewards, taking fleets along the southwestern Dutch coastline – making their way to Maho and Mullet Bay Beaches. This is where the magic happened. It was a sea of colors as fleets approached the shoreline on their downwind legs, while planes soared overhead and landed at Princess Juliana International Airport.
The competition has been as close as ever, with many fierce match-ups within each class creating close standings that were settled out on the race courses.
J/122 EL OCASO Sweeps CSA 5 Division
“Given the wind conditions, our boat was really favorable. We’re really happy with our performance. It’s an amazing regatta, the seas here are always enjoyable, and we had a great time together. We’ll be back for sure!” said crew member Steve Rigby after the final day of racing. EL OCASO went on to win the entire St. Maarten Heineken Regatta with a crew full of friends and family counting only bullets in their scoreline.
J/121 APOLLO Nearly Sweeps CSA 4 Division
Like their stablemate, Don Nicholson’s J/121 APOLLO started off the regatta with a 2nd place, then they “ran the table” with a string of bullets to handily win their division with just 7 pts net.
J/105 MORE ZESSIN Silvers CSA 6 Division
After years of collecting silverware, Jordan Mindich sold his venerable J/105 ECLIPSE to friends of his in St Maarten. The new owners- Ryan and Ian Hope-Ross- were eager to give it the old “college try”, renamed her MORE ZESSIN, and won the silver medal for their efforts on their first try!
The atmosphere on the water today was something special. The turning mark at Mullet Bay delivered exhilarating scenes for the spectator boats and crowds on shore. Cheers erupted while race boats whipped around the mark as planes were landing and taking off. As the day was wrapping up, teams came over the radio thanking the Race Committee for their hard work, great organization, and particular course selection over the last four days, especially given the tough conditions.
The day on the water ended with a celebratory Bridge Show at the 2:00 PM Simpson Bay bridge opening. The Sint Maarten Yacht Club was packed with spectators to watch teams decked out in costumes putting on their finest performances. Shirts were off, Heineken was sprayed, sailors went up the masts, and there was even a proposal (she said yes!).
The final day of the 45th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta was, fittingly, a “celebration.” This year it was celebrating what makes the Regatta unique in its 45th anniversary. The scale of this internationally acclaimed, bucket-list event is one you cannot describe until you come and experience it for yourself. The diversity and inclusivity are at the forefront of our values, and are represented on the water and on shore. Everyone is welcomed – sailors and tourists from all around the world, and island-wide locals.
What better way to close out this celebratory anniversary than with a legendary party? As mentioned by Oceans Tribute this year, “The racing is only part of it. Good music and great beer was enjoyed by all! It’s nice seeing everyone from the water in the Village.”
Sailors filed into the Regatta Village for the final prize giving at the main stage before live entertainment kicked off the good vibes. Then, it was time for the grand finale– The Wailers!! The reggae legends, originally founded by the famous Jamaican artist- Bob Marley, put on an iconic performance as a packed crowd grooved to Caribbean vibes all night long.
The magic of the regatta would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of our hundreds of volunteers. From building the Regatta Village, Race Committee, Volunteer Care, Hospitality, and much, much more, the volunteers are the heart of the Regatta.
A huge “Thank You” to all of the sponsors who help create such an incredible bucket-list event: Heineken, Veuve Clicquot, Port de Plaisance Resorts and Yacht Club, SEIKO as the official Regatta timekeeper, St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, St. Martin Tourism, Shipwreck Shops, Gill, Real Auto, Vie L’Ven, Sint Maarten Yacht Club, Windward Islands Bank, Divico, Avis, Exofor, Sol, Sunsail, Flow, Port St. Maarten, Seahawk, and Island 92 Radio.
It was an exceptional end to an incredible 45th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta! Mark your calendars for the 46th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta – March 5-8, 2026!
For more Heineken St. Maarten Regatta sailing information here.
