First Aruba-Race for sailing yachts was successful

Press release hosted under courtesy of Sunfish Club Aruba

 

Oranjestad. –  On Sunday 6 July 2008, the first ever Aruba-Race for sailing yachts was held. After time corrections, the race was won by Eva Luna (Aruba), followed by Sagirarius (Aruba) and Venus Callipyge (Curaçao). The catamaran Curzancat received line honors for crossing the finish line as first ship.

 

Participation numbered 10 sailing yachts of which two from Curacao and eight from Aruba. Total race distance measured 18 nautical miles. Wind predictions for the day were favorable with wind speeds at approximately 15 knots (4 Beaufort). The Search & Rescue Foundation Aruba (SARFA) guaranteed security on the water.

 

The race began at 11:00 am with the starting line located along the Eastern Oranjestad harbor entrance across the Surfside Marina. All yachts were already in the starting area as the five-minutes to start signal was signaled. With the minutes counting down the view of ten sailing yachts circling close to each other in the middle of ‘Paardenbaai’ was magnificent. During the start there were no problems and all ships were careful not to start too early. One yacht, Teishi, started 16 minutes late after getting trapped in an anchor line.

 

From the harbor entrance the yachts headed windward to Barcadera. This stretch was challenging as the yachts encountered a 1.5 knots current against them. To avoid this current the yachts had to sail as close as possible to the shore. This meant tacking frequently and sailing tactically. Soon the fleet scattered with a group of four yachts emerging at the front of the pack: Tranquillo, Sagitarius, Melody and Venus Callipyge. Somewhat behind them a second group emerged consisting of Eva Luna, Cruzancat and Pionier. The back of the fleet was formed by Anoek, Andante and Teishi who had started late.

 

From Barcadera the yachts headed downwind to Punta Brabo. This stretch was also challenging due to wind gusts and shifts making it difficult to keep spinnakers under control. Next the yachts continued to Arashi with wind speeds increasing 6 Beaufort. The larger yachts benefited from the stronger winds as they gained substantial reaching speeds here. At Arashi and across the Divi Phoenix Resort the yachts used some buoys of Aruba Hi-Winds before finishing at the Manchebo Beach Resort. 

 

After the race a protest was filed against Tranquillo which unfortunately led to the disqualification of this yacht. Finally the prize ceremony was held around 6:00 pm at Bucuti Yacht Club Aruba during a well attended social gathering. For pictures of the first Aruba-Race for sailing yachts you may visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/59708538@N00.

 

Besides the annual ‘Roundtrip Aruba’ for sailing yachts, Aruba now has a second event for larger sailing yachts. The ‘Roundtrip Aruba’ is not a race but a leisure trip for sailing yachts regardless of their size. This year the ‘Roundtrip Aruba’ will be held on Saturday, the 6^th of September.