After last winter’s very successful Inaugural Mango Bowl Regatta, the St Lucia Yacht Club is sparing no effort in attempting to make this year’s event bigger and better! Negotiations are ongoing with last year’s sponsors, sailing clubs, race officials, marketing agents, overseas participants and island based sailors.
Organizers have invited and are expecting a number of overseas participants from the region including Barbados, Grenada, St Vincent, St Maarten and Martinique, from whence come the majority of Surprise Class boats. With a local fleet of six J24’s, plus around 20 cruising class yachts owner-operated by local St Lucians, there is every reason to believe that participation will surpass last year’s 31 entries.
The Skippers Briefing takes place at 6:00 pm on Friday November 29 at the St Lucia Yacht Club, followed by a barbecue at the club and the usual St Lucia Friday Night Jump-Up at Gros Islet.
Racing will begin on Saturday morning adjacent to the St Lucia Yacht Club in Rodney Bay, and continue after lunch with a big party in the evening. A further session of racing will be held on Sunday morning with the prize giving at 4:00 pm. A spectator boat will be in attendance at all races for members of the public and press who wish to be part of the regatta.
The St Lucia Yacht Club and IGY Rodney Bay Marina, are working together to turn out young St Lucian sailors through the Youth Sailing Program. The main objective is to provide a new area of employment opportunities, but in the short term our new sailors are already participating enthusiastically in regional regattas and giving fellow competitors a run for their money!
