Three Days of Competition, Concerts, Events Provided 'Serious Fun'
PHILIPSBURG:--- Sailors and boating enthusiasts from around the world gathered in St. Maarten (www.VacationStMaarten.com) by the thousands to participate in celebrations and races during the 34th Annual St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, which took place March 6 - 9, 2014. A remarkable 211 registered boats in 21 classes took part in the event, while visitors and residents enjoyed lively parties each night with energetic performances by LMFAO, Kes and Orange Grove.
In one of the closest and most dramatic concluding days in the long history of the Caribbean's biggest annual boating event, 20 division winners in a fleet of 211 boats were crowned on March 9 to wrap up this year's Regatta.
At the outset of this third and final day of competition, the end results, and potential victors, in nearly a dozen individual classes were too close to call. With just a few points separating the top boats in nearly all nine of the CSA classes, in two of the Bareboat divisions and in a Lottery class, everything was riding on the last race of the series from Marigot to Simpson Bay.
The Regatta's top prize for the "Most Worthy Performance Overall" went to Rich Wesslund's J/122, El Ocaso, the winner of the event's biggest division, the 18-boat CSA4 class. El Ocaso's crew received their prize from St. Maarten's Hon. Prime Minister Ms. Sarah Wescot-Williams, who was gracious in her remarks honoring Wesslund and his team, while also recognizing the hundreds of international sailors who had descended on the island for the event. It was the second time Wesslund's Florida-based squad earned this high honor.
Organizers for the 34th Annual St. Maarten Heineken Regatta worked tirelessly to create the perfect formula for three nights of island fun, with a performance by the Caribbean pop group Kes The Band during the Caribbean Jam night on March 8. The event headliners LMFAO, the world-renowned group famous for their hit songs "Party Rock" and "Sexy And I Know It," performed during the Legendary Party on Sunday, March 9, 2014 along with St. Maarten's own Orange Grove.
A number of local musicians and entertainers were also on hand during the Regatta's celebrations to keep the crowds dancing including: the Soualiga Brass Band, Koolberry Jam, Percy Rankin' & The Bonfire Band, Fred York, DJ Etienne The Kid, Partydude Jason, Mighty Dow and Christine Gordon.
For over three decades, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has showcased the top boats and sailing - and has become equally famous for its world-class slate of parties and musical entertainment - in the Caribbean. Each year, the annual competition, which consists of round-the-buoys contests and point-to-point destination races against the backdrop of St. Maarten's breathtaking coastal views, lives up to its worthy motto: Serious Fun.
For more information on St. Maarten, visit the official site of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau at www.VacationStMaarten.com.
