SLYC Sailing Calendar 2011

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ROUND ST LUCIA REGATTA

2 DAYS : 19th & 20th FEBRUARY 2011

Ten boats lined up for the second Round St Lucia Regatta on 19^th February with leg 1 starting in the middle of Rodney Bay and ending in Vieux Fort.  The first boat over the line was veteran local Boat Cider of Rosie followed by Kaiso. The fleet headed for Pigeon Point and then hardened up for a windward beat towards the northern tip of the Island. The wind was blowing 10-12 knots to start with.  The first boat around the north cap was Cider followed closely by Caol Ila, Sweet Surrender and Kaiso.  After rounding the cap, the boats eased off a little on a close fetch. In the early afternoon the wind dropped completely and one or two yachts with the current were finding themselves perilously close to the rocks.

Mary Murray, a Pearson 42 and Avocet a Pacific Seacraft as well as  Cider decided to retire back to Rodney Bay. The rest of the fleet for safety reasons decided to motor sail to Vieux Fort. One or two boats decided to do a spot of fishing. Kaiso caught a Spanish Mackerel much to the delight of the young crew.   Despite the light conditions the Vieux Fort team were on hand to welcome the boats over  the line.  The fleet anchored in Anse Benson and a water taxi was arranged to take the crew ashore.

All the various crews headed to the Old Plantation Restaurant, a traditional creole establishment where the food is prepared in coal pots. Fresh chicken and fish was served and everyone enjoyed a great evening

LEG 2

Crews woke up to seemingly perfect conditions with a 10-12 knot breeze blowing. When the horn went,  Kaiso was first over the line 08.30 followed by Sweet Surrender. Several boats set kites which made a spectacular site as they headed towards the majestic Pitons.  Sweet Surrender, a Beneteau 46 gradually pulled ahead. Towards the Pitons the wind shifted north and then started to drop. Near Soufriere the wind dropped to barely a whisper.   By lunchtime, there was  still barely any wind and boats were lucky to register  1 knot in  speed.  It was a frustrating time for the crews with especially those sitting without shade in the scorching heat.  One by one boats retired until only the Beneteau 46 and Caol Ila, the Hanse 54. One of them was determined to win.   Their persistence paid off as the wind started to build by mid afternoon 10 knots was blowing from the north east.

Sweet Surrender was first to cross the finish line at 16.44 followed by Caol Ila at 17.14.  Prize giving was presented at the clubhouse where first prize was given to Sweet Surrender who won a free Haul out & pressure wash, courtesy of IGY Marinas.  Second prize went to Caol Ila who won vouchers for Delirious restaurant and Café Olé.  There was live music and free Heineken beer handed out for crews and all enjoyed the occasion despite the fickle winds.

Sean Fuller Sailing Captain
Have a look at the pictures https://picasaweb.google.com/SaintLuciaYachtClub

DIAMOND DASH RACE

Rodney Bay – Diamond Rock Martinique  – Rodney Bay

St Lucia Yacht Club Sailing & Social Calendar 2010 / 2011

YOUTH SAILING PROGRAMME:

EVERY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON

SATURDAY: ALL DAY

INFO: LILY lilybergasse@yahoo.com 484.2517

MAX: toddymaxmax@hotmail.co.uk 719.8406

INFO J24’s MAX = YOUTH & ADULTS

INFO SAILING EVENTS: SEAN seanfuller@talk21.com 722.0077

SLYC Sir John Compton Memorial Trophy

SLYC Round St Lucia Non-Stop Race 21st August 2010

Emancipation Day Race

ANNUAL SLYC EMANCIPATION DAY TROPHY RACE 31^st July 2010

Rodney Bay to Marigot and Return Race

Despite an unsettled weather forecast, 9 boats turned out for the second annual Emancipation Day Race organised by the St Lucia Yacht Club.  The smallest Boat was a 16’ Fireball and the largest Breeze Away, a 50’sloop with a scattering of J24’s, the popular 24’ race boat.  Two of the J24’s were crewed by youth teams.

The race conditions were near perfect with a 12-14 knot breeze blowing from the north east. The race started at 10 am.  just off the St Lucia Yacht club start line at Reduit Beach.
Claudia Vogel, a J24 took the lead early on but the main fleet were very closely grouped as they headed towards a rounding mark at Pigeon Point. The fleet then headed south to Marigot Bay on a run with the wind almost behind them and then the wind moving more on the beam.  The J24’s put up spinnakers which gave them an advantage as they took the lead followed closely by the larger keel boats which prefer higher wind strength.

Just outside of Rodney Bay, near Barrel O’ Beef Rock, the 16’ Fireball with two crew capsized with the crew ending up in the water. The IGY safety rib was close by for assistance and towed the boat back to the club.

The fleet headed for the Hess mark and then the finish line outside Marigot Bay. Claudia Vogel was first to finish followed by Attitude and Jabal. The boats headed into Marigot Bay for a lunch stop and then returned to the start line at 2 pm. The start line was between the red buoy and the Marigot Marina Patrol boat.

The larger boats Breeze Away, Kaiso and Out of Sight got off to a flying start in the race going north with the wind almost on the nose. Out of Sight took a course close inshore and gained extra speed approaching Barrel O’ Beef rock.  There were close duels between the boats as they approached the mark on diverging courses, making for some exciting racing.  The fleet rounded the Pigeon point mark to starboard and then headed for the finish line with Out of Sight first over the line off Reduit beach.

The finish places on elapsed time for the race from Marigot to Rodney Bay were First, Attitude, second, Claudia Vogel and third Jabal.

Overall first three places on elapsed time based on a handicap system went to to the J24’s:

1. Claudia Vogel
2. Attitude and
3. Jabal

CONGRATULATIONS to the Claudio Vogel crew as they are our youth sailors (Luis Meixner, Marcus Sweeney, Stephanie Lovell, Jasia King, Scott Anthony) WELL DONE !!!

Thanks go to prize sponsors Heineken (free Heineken cans for all participants), Digicel (mobile phone & miscellaneous items) , Rain Forest Skyrides (voucher), St Lucia Rums (Bounty Rum) Café Ole (voucher), as well as Edwin Chavez from IGY Marina for assistance with Race support, Ted Bull & Adam Slayed (Rodney Bay start & finish line) and Bob Hathaway from Marigot Bay Marina for support at the Marigot finish line.

Special thanks to the organizers Sean Fuller (Stand-in Sailing Captain),  and Danielle (pictures) (Social Secretary) http://picasaweb.google.com/SaintLuciaYachtClub

Submitted by SF & DDR

click on picture for pictures

Saturday 12^th, Sunday 13^th & Monday 14^th December 2009

Hosted by St. Lucia Yacht Club in cooperation with the Yacht Club de la Martinique

Diamond Dash sponsored by Diamonds International

On Saturday 12^th December at 09.00 a reduced entry of seven boats turned up in squally conditions for the start of the St Lucia to Martinique race series known as the Sir John Compton Memorial Race. The annual event is held in honour of the late Prime Minister of St Lucia, a keen yachtsman who served the island for over 30 years. The start was off the St Lucia Yacht Club in Rodney Bay and within the fleet included two ARC entries Akanara and Boundless and also two Martiniquan boats. The smallest entry was a J24 skippered by Edgar Roe.

As the yachts headed off round Pigeon Point, they were soon into the teeth of a strong north easterly blowing at between 25 and 30 knots. Akarana, a Swan 46 which had only recently finished the ARC Atlantic race, took the lead as the boats headed off to Fort de France , a distance of some 25 miles. The fleet soon encountered big rollers accompanied by some heavy rain squalls with gusts up to 35 knots. Some boats had two reefs in their mainsails as they headed on a close fetch.

This was the first occurrence of the race for two years. Last year’s race was cancelled due to the general strike in Martinique. The race was being hosted by the Yacht Club de la Martinique for the first time as previous races ran to Le Marin on the south west coat.  The first boat to cross was Akarana followed by Vaguely Noble, a Martiniquan boat which won on handicap. The winds were gusty and testing right to the finish off Fort de France.  Some boats encountered damage along the way. Kaiso suffered a torn genoa leech more than 10 feet long but the crew managed to stitch a repair overnight.

The boats berthed at the docks provided courtesy of the Yacht Club de Martinique. Later in the evening, the Club hosted a dinner for all the participants which was attended by the St Lucian Consul General Keats Compton. There was entertainment in the form of a traditional costume and dance troupe which was enhanced further by an impromptu performance by one of the male crew from Kaiso dressed in drag.

The following day entailed a leisurely sail down to Grand Anse D’Arlet, a bay on the south east side of Martinique. All participants met up for a classic gallic lunch with plenty of wine. As there was no public holiday in France on Monday, it was left for the fleet to arrange an ad hoc start. The time and the start using a rusty boat as ODM and a mark on one side was arranged by Edgar Roe on Loose Cannon living up to the name by firing the starting gun. Needless to say he wasn’t over the line.

The return leg from Anse d’Arlet includes a provision to round Diamond Rock to starboard. All boats record their time when they reach Diamond Rock on a bearing of 270 degrees. The weather for the start of the return leg started off squally with winds up to 22 knots. Akarana was first to Diamond Rock after putting in two tacks. They were followed by Loose Cannon. The weather cleared by mid morning to leave clear skies  as the boats again head on a close fetch back to Rodney Bay on account of the strong west flowing current. Akarana, the Swan 46 was the first to cross the line after approximately 4 hours sailing. Kaiso , A Sovereign 400 manage to squeeze in front of Loose Cannon and came in a few minutes ahead.  Loose Cannon was followed by HyTime which was limping along slowly after suffering sail damage during a tack.

Later in the afternoon, prize giving was held at the St Lucia Yacht Club with prizes awarded by Lady Janice Compton. Akarana won first overall and Diamonds International awarded first prize to Loose Cannon for ‘The Diamond Dash’, sponsored by Diamonds International, being the fastest time between Grande Anse D’Arlet and Diamond Rock. Prizes were also awarded with the Skipper and crews each averaging several bottles of Bounty Rum and Chilean wine to take home thanks to St Lucia Distillers & Peter & Co.   Heineken beer was provided courtesy of Windward and Leeward Brewery.

Lady Janice Compton donated a picture to the Yacht Club featuring Sir John Compton at the helm.

All in all a great event was enjoyed by participants and thanks go to the sponsors: Heineken, Diamonds International, Peter & Co, St Lucia Rum Distilleries, Delirious, Spinnakers , Rain Forrest Sky Rides and to the St Lucia Yacht Club and Yacht Club de Martinique for organizing the race!

Submitted by Skipper Sean (Kaiso)

SLYC “EMANCIPATION DAY RACE 1^st August 2009”

Appropriately on this day the two sailing areas of St Lucia, Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay celebrated the occasion with a friendly sailing event joining the two sailing resort bays in competition on the water. 2 races were held starting in Rodney Bay at 10am and finishing around one and a half hours later. This race was an unusual start sequence where yachts started at pre determined times according to their own handicaps as determined by their measurement ratings, thereby giving the slower boats an earlier start with the intention of getting the boats to the finish at Marigot Bay as a more collective group.

14 yachts turned out to compete on the almost perfect sailing day conditions, 15 knots of wind from the ENE, sunshine and a gorgeous blue Caribbean sea—MAGIC!

Perfect for some but as is the fate of others, a dismasting of the yacht Doubloon from Discovery at Marigot Bay put paid to their racing for the day. Luckily there were no injuries and the mast was recovered by the experienced crew without any assistance from the race committee and returned safely back into Rodney Bay marina.

After a short break in Marigot for lunch where all the yachts rafted up, the game was on for the return battle! This, albeit a beautiful sailing breeze which had whipped the fleet down to Marigot earlier now turned into a beat into the wind or at least a fine fetch to the Pigeon Island turning mark into Rodney Bay and then to the SLYC finishing line in front of the beach. Horn blowing to greet the finishers and to record their times kept the scene of fun and sport going on for the visitors and guests and for the anxious parents awaiting the return of their sailing youngsters.

Prize giving followed their trip ashore, wet and tired but ready for the club BBQ and refreshments kindly donated by Heineken.

Click on picture to go to web album

Our Sponsors, Heineken, Diamonds International, Rodney Bay Marina, Marigot Bay Marina, Discovery Marigot, Rain Forest Sky Rides and Digicel made this, now to be the annual Emancipation day event, possible. Representatives present were duly thanked by the committee for their participation.

The new Trophy, which was kindly donated for the event by Frank Capers Senior, was duly won by his son Frank Capers junior in the club J24 Grayling and the oldest participant in the event!  71 !

The two races were individually scored but amalgamated to give the final positions as follows:

Racing class:

1^st.    J24 “Grayling”  Frank Capers and the winner of the Overall Trophy

2^nd J24 “Loose Cannon” Edgar Roe

3^rd J24  “Banana Wind” Marcus Sweeney

Cruising class:

1^st “Beneteau 50 ” Spirit of the Wind” Christian Richings

1^st “Elvira D 49”  Sun Odyssey  Ulrich Meixner

3^rd “Sovereign 40 “Kaiso” Sean.Fuller

Bosun Ted Bull

Photography and filming by our professionals Danielle and Ian from the SLYC.

St. Lucia BMW J24 Invitational Championship 6th-7th-8th November 2009

Click on picture to go to web album

St Lucia Yacht Club hosted the Third St Lucia BMW J 24 Invitational Championship over the weekend in Rodney Bay. With teams from Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad and St Lucia, six teams sailed eighteen races over the weekend to decide the winner.

Hosted in the “The Landings” private Marina with teams staying in five star luxury apartments and two beautiful BMW’s on show this regatta was very much a five star event. Friday nights briefing and cocktail party was held on “The Landings” marina with the six J’s tied alongside made for a wonderful sight.

Racing started Saturday morning right outside the marina just off the beach with great viewing for those lazing on the beach or aboard the Endless Summers large cat giving great viewing on the water. Courses were short windward leeward’s with twenty minutes races giving close exciting racing. After the mornings six races it was very tight at the top with the two St Lucian teams Trinidad and Grenada split by just a few points. Short lunch break and off again for a final six afternoon races with clear blue skies ten knots of breeze you could not ask for better racing conditions. Again the sailing was extremely tight with many different teams up the front and positions changing minute to minute. After a long days racing the six teams headed back to the Marina and a few well earned beers and to check how they ended up for the day. Again it was extremely close amongst the top five with only three points separating Trinidad, Barbados, the two St Lucian teams and Grenada.

Sunday dawned with more blue skies and perfect sailing breeze and a few headaches after a night in Rodney Bay! The Trinidad team came out fast with four bullets to basically seal the regatta while some of the other crews suffering from the night before took a little time to wake up and made some bad errors with over the line problems for Edgar in St Lucia one, plus a mixture of penalties for other teams let the Trini’s slip away to an unassailable lead but second to fourth was a close fought battle right to the last race with again just a few points separating them all. The top three were Edgar Roe, St Lucia 1 in third, Robbie Yearwood from Grenada in second and Stephen Bushe with Andrew, Wesley and John from Trinidad taking the trophy.

Again many thanks go to BMW “Prestige Motors” as the main sponsor along with the “Landings”, “St Lucia Distillers” and “Peter and company” for prizes and the committee boat II Restless. All monies raised holding this event goes towards the youth sailing program held by the Yacht Club.

Michael Green (SLYC Vice Commodore)

Click to go to the picture albums.

SLYC OPTIMIST RACING FOR GROWN FOLKS

SUNSET GET TOGETHER + BIRTHDAY PARTY

SLYC COMMODORES BALL Saturday 19th March

The evening started with sparkling wine & appetizers on the beach and after a while we all went upstairs to enjoy the dinner that was prepared by volunteers & staff. Many danced the night away as you can see in the pictures album.

A big Thank You to Monique (our temporary manager), Jannell, Juliana, Ricard & Genevieve (our wonderful staff), Lily (appetizers & dessert) Stephanie & Raina (for helping serving), Duncan (who managed the bar downstairs and who kept on carrying stuff up and down the stairs), Kennedy (the DJ who played the perfect music to create the perfect atmosphere) and all the others that helped out.

Also a big Thank You to all people that joined us and made the evening successful.

Last but not least, we really appreciate the donations for the Youth Sailing Programme.

I hope you enjoy the pictures and that you will be joining next time as well. (We’re planning already!)

Danielle (SLYC Social Secretary)

LUNCHES AVAILABLE ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY.

Every Sunday we serve a special meal!
BAR FOOD AVAILABLE IN THE EVENINGS.

Catering possible for special events.

HOLIDAY SEASON 2010 PICTURES

“LET’S GET TOGETHER” PARTY 2010!  

CAROLS AFLOAT 2009 Christmas Flotilla

“It is Christmas in the Heart that puts Christmas in the air” (W.T. Ellis)

CAROLS AFLOAT 2009

What a way to some up the inaugural Carols Afloat. I don’t think any one of the people who participated would be able to argue with that.

On Tuesday the 22^nd December a total of 13 uniquely decorated boats and 2 IGY RBM boats participated in what was hopefully the 1^st of many Carols Afloat Christmas events. Certainly from this writers view point the event was a tremendous success! The boats that participated brought the joy that is Christmas spirit from their hearts and souls to many boats around the Rodney Bay Area.

On Tuesday afternoon, if you happened to be passing the IGY Rodney Bay Marina around 4.30pm a great many preparations could be seen, be it large inflatable Santa’s (palm tree included)(thanks to Hullabaloo) or as many large decorative flags as could possibly be acquired from various sources!

At precisely 5.30 (Caribbean time) all of the 15 boats participating met outside the entrance to the Rodney Bay Marina, craft participating ranged in size and shape from the lead boat “Hullabaloo” through various sizes of yachts (some of which had only just arrived on island through the ARC event last month) down to the St Lucia Yacht Clubs crew on board “Lucia” an Impulse 21 keelboat.

Come 6pm the whole graceful procession set of with our in house DJ pipeing an eclectic mix of traditional carols with a few carib vibes mixed in for good measure.

No sooner had we set off than disaster struck! One of the many Christmas torches on “Lucia” died so we had to improvise; with our extensive instructor background prepared for every event a spare mag-light was brought forth and held up the show for us. Oh and a few more unfortunate of us hit bottom near pigeon island.

After these few teething problems the rest of the tour went extremely well with most getting into the Christmas spirit by singing joyous melody’s, at least this was the case on “Lucia” as we couldn’t hear much over the noise of our outboard motor!

With a cool beer in sight the flotilla headed back from the terrors of the open seas into the “Well Lit” inlet for a fly by on the Edge restaurant and the end of the parade.

After tying up all crews converged on H20 restaurant and bar for the Prize giving and free beer courtesy of Heineken brewery.  Prizes were given to the best decorated, most improvised, best crew uniform as well as a whole host of others! All prizes were donated by local companies, amongst which featured “Fire Grill”, “Delirious”, “The Edge” , “Columbian Emeralds”, “Café Ole”, “Rain Forest Sky Rides” , “Steel Pan Band Harmonites”, “Spinnakers”, etc.

In all an extremely enjoyable evening was had by all and if you are to talk to anybody who participated I’m sure you’d receive many a tall tale of the high seas, possibly even a few about the joy brought to all through the wonder of Christmas and all who participated.

Special thanks goes to : -

IGY Rodney Bay Marina (free birth for the night for the participating boats & DJ Mickey), St Lucia Yacht Club, All sponsors and the boats – “Hullabaloo”, “Lucia”, “Catar”, “Kaiso”, “Gizmo”, “Nomad”, “One Time”, “Boldly Go”, “Reel Extreme”, “Twice Eleven”, “Guiding Light”, “Fair Encounter”, “Endless Summer” and both IGY boats that participated. I’m sure that next year the fun will continue and for many years to come.

Submitted by Callum (Sailing Instructor SLYC)

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Beach Lunch BBQ 2009

New Years Eve 31^st December 2009

“World ARC welcomes in 2010 with a Bang! (News article from World Cruising Club Website)

World ARC 2010-11 participants enjoyed a fantastic New Year’s Eve party at the St Lucia Yacht Club last night. With a complimentary barbecue and drinks, and free bubbly at midnight, the New Year was welcomed in with style.

St Lucia Yacht Club, located near the entrance to Rodney Bay on the warm sands of Redruit Beach, provided the perfect viewing platform for the spectacular fireworks display, which illuminated the bay to loud cheers from the revelling crowds beneath.

World ARC participants took no time in joining in with the local crowds in their New Year’s Celebrations, with the street parties carrying on into the small hours. Even with a week still to go before setting sail, it seems the World ARC 2010-11 has already socially become a success!

Many participants have chosen an adrenaline-packed way of getting rid of their New Year’s hangovers today – on the Tree Top Canopy Adventure Tour. Heading into the rain forest of St Lucia’s eastern coast, adventurers zip through the air on 11 different lines between the trees at up to 50ft above the forest floor – rapidly cleansing their heads of any over-indulgence from last night!”