SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) - The first Statia Bash sailing event in 25 years took place over the weekend.
Seven (7) participating boats set sail on Saturday morning with an imaginary start line between Pelican and Beacon Hill for a 4–5-hour reach to Statia.
Everybody was excited, sails were trimmed and the boats were off!
Early afternoon the fleet arrived in Statia where they anchored and docked on the west side of the island and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon snorkeling, swimming or exploring the island. Nats Kitchen put together a great gathering with tents, food and music for the SXM Visitors.
As some sailors slept on board, other sailors enjoyed a peaceful night in the Old Gin House Hotel.
On Sunday morning the fleet departed back to St. Maarten at 11.30 AM.
It was really special to see some of St Maarten’s legendary sailor’s sons taking part in their own boats and doing so well.
Namely Jolyon Ferron, Ryan Hope Ross, Jake Martin, Appie Stoutenbeek and the following generation Luke Swart and Zoë Shillingford.
Whilst it was not classified as a race several prizes were handed out for top performances.
Line Honors to Jolyon Ferron on Bandit.
More Zessin with Ryan Hope Ross would have won on Handicap if there was one.
Jake Martin on Spellbound too, a popular day charter catamaran for best Multihull.
Imagine with the Maritime School of the West Indies crew onboard won the Rum for the biggest fish on Sunday.
Caraibes Diesel won the closest estimated arrival time.
Dauntless put in an awesome performance and surely would have won some rum, unfortunately they were disqualified for going to the wrong bar post-race.
Charlie Stoner won the Rum for the hardest working crew member, changing sails all day long to satisfy the egos of our ageing veterans Shag and Ian on Let it Be.
It was definitely a weekend for in the books and a format to repeat next year! Stay tuned.
Thanks to the St Maarten Medical Center there were five (5) survivors from the last event. Our doctors keep us sailing.
