14 October 2019
October 7, 2020 – Simpson Bay, St Maarten – The Caribbean comes to Annapolis in this special collaboration between the St Maarten Heineken Regatta, Ocean Racers race team and the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) at the United States Sailboat Show. Sights and sounds from the Caribbean regattas liven up the docks and exclusive Caribbean Happy Hours sponsored by Heineken end every day in the true regatta spirit.
Ocean Racers and their Pogo 12.50 racing yacht, Hermes, are back at the Annapolis Sailboat Show with 2 years of racing experiences around the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas to share. During the winter regatta season, Ocean Racers are based out of St Maarten, home of the St Maarten Heineken Regatta celebrating its 40th Anniversary March 5 – 8, 2020, and together they are bringing the Caribbean up North.
“On behalf of the St Maarten Heineken Regatta, we are incredibly excited about this opportunity to work together with Ocean Racers and represent the Caribbean Regattas at the Annapolis Sailboat Show. This is in full partnership with the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) and many of its members, showcasing the fantastic opportunities of racing in the Caribbean — whether with your boat, a bareboat or a race boat like Ocean Racers! Every Regatta in the Caribbean has its own unique identity, and you will find that every destination stands out on its own as well. Whichever Regatta or Caribbean Island you choose, the racing is guaranteed to be spectacular, sailing in beautiful turquoise waters with favorable trade winds,” said Michele Korteweg, General Manager St Maarten Heineken Regatta.
A floating dock alongside Hermes will transport boat show goers right into Caribbean Regatta life. Watch highlights from all the Caribbean regattas while relaxing in the classic Caribbean ambiance — complete with a hammock and beach lounge atmosphere. Earn entrance to the Heineken sponsored Happy Hour by completing Caribbean Happy Hour Challenges (#CHHChallenge) during the day at the show.
The Caribbean Happy Hour Challenge is a media scavenger hunt to have some #SeriousFun at the Sailboat Show. A list of 20+ challenges will be posted, and show goers are invited to post photos and videos of their interpretation of the clues to social media. From finding Hermes’ wings to selfies with YouTube stars, participants will venture throughout the show completing challenges with the goal of earning a ticket to the exclusive daily Heineken Happy Hour 5-6 PM.
The Caribbean Regatta Party Dock is located adjacent to Ocean Racers’ Pogo 12.50 Hermes on Dock D at the Annapolis Sailboat Show and open to the public to enjoy daily until 5PM. There will be Daily Dock Talks hosted 3-4 PM for an open discussion of sailing topics including Ocean Racing 101 and getting to know the Caribbean Sailing Association events personally.
St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
Celebrating its 40th anniversary next year, this Regatta just keeps getting better. Four days of world-class racing with some of the world's most seasoned sailors, hailing from over 35 countries. This is truly a Regatta for everyone including professional teams sailing Maxis, Monohulls and Performance Multihulls to holiday-makers on chartered Bareboats to live-aboard families cruising the Caribbean. Crystal clear waters and cooling northeast trade winds give the pristine conditions for spectacular racing just off the coast of St. Maarten. And with Heineken as title sponsor, the racing days blend seamlessly into four nights of exceptional parties. This event is your bucket list must-do! Come and enjoy life in the Caribbean, come for some Serious Fun from March 5 - 8, 2020!
For full information on the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, including results, photos, videos, party and band information, and much, much more, visit: www.heinekenregatta.com
Ocean Racers
Ocean Racers is an international sailing team and network whose mission is to build the sport of ocean racing through access and opportunity. The team is run by co-founders and co-skippers Morgen Watson and Meg Reilly, who race around the world on their Pogo 12.50 Hermes. Since the team’s inception in 2015, Ocean Racers have competed in the IMOCA and Royal Ocean Racing Club circuits and have supported the offshore sailing careers of young Volvo Ocean Racers and World Champion sailors. Follow the team @oceanracers and learn more on www.oceanracers.net
Caribbean Sailing Association
The mission of the Caribbean Sailing Association is to promote sailing within the region, and Caribbean sailing to the world. The CSA also administers Rating Rules to provide a simple and fair handicap system for racing. Additionally, the CSA serves as a forum for yacht clubs, regattas, sailing organizations and sailors throughout the Caribbean to coordinate interests and events, exchange ideas and best practices, and combine voices to achieve broader exposure to the international community.
