Magnificent water spectacle during Heineken Regatta Curaçao
Plenty of racing and demonstrations in Anna Bay
Willemstad – There’s a good reason that the theme of the Heineken Regatta Curaçao is ‘Real Different’. There will be a large variety of races taking place in different water sports disciplines in different classes, which the public will be able to enjoy from the embankments of the Anna Bay. Next to the competition, there will be several exciting water sports demonstrations, including jet skiing, wake-boarding and kite surfing (if the weather permits). Heineken Curaçao & Bonaire and the Curaçao Sailing Festival foundation, along with their partners Curaçao Ports Authority, NIBanc, Banco di Caribe, ENNIA, Curaçao Tourism Bureau and UTS welcome everyone to the Regatta Village at Kleine Werf and to Brionplein, to come enjoy all the competitions and demonstrations. The first overall winner of the Heineken Regatta Curaçao will receive the prestigious NIBanc Cup.
On Friday November 7th, the Heineken Regatta Curaçao will be opened with a Captain’s Cocktail Party hosted by NIBanc. During this night with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, music and live entertainment by Juni Julliet, the NIBanc Cup will be presented to the public.
The NIBanc Cup has been designed by Waterford Crystals of Ireland and has traveled a long distance to Curaçao. The Cup represents international diversity, harmonious relations and powerful teamwork; qualities which not only typify Curaçao, but which also symbolize the tradition of international yacht racing.
Plenty of racing in and outside Anna Bay
Several boat types in different classes will show their mettle during the regatta. The yachts will sail four races in six different classes: the Racing Class I and II, the Racing Cruising Class, the Cruising Class, the Open Fun Class and the Multihull Class. All races will start and finish in the Anna Bay. On Saturday, the yachts will start at 9.40 a.m. and 1.40 p.m., and on Sunday they will start at 9.10 a.m. and 12.40 p.m. There are currently over 25 participating yachts.
The krioyo boats, the traditional fishing boats, will also compete witch each other, yet not in large numbers due to the recent storm. The krioyo boats will leave at 10.20 a.m. and 2.20 p.m. on Saturday and at 9.50 a.m. and 1.20 p.m. on Sunday. The yachts and krioyo boats are expected to finish around 4 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
YSCO (youth sailing) and CSSA (Sunfishes) have joined forces to organize team races on Saturday and Sunday, in which youngsters will sail in Optimists and adults in Sunfishes. The races will take place in the Anna Bay between Handelskade and Brionplein. The Opti and Sunfish team races will start at 10.25 a.m. and 2.25 p.m. on Saturday and at 9.55 a.m. and 1.25 p.m. on Sunday.
The windsurfing competitions, in Formula, Non-Formula and Open classes, will be sailed in an arc starting right in front of the Anna Bay. Particularly good places to watch this competition are from the Riffort or Plaza Hotel.
The microboat competitions will take place in the channel connecting the Anna Bay to the Waaigat. Microboats are boats from roughly 60 cm to 1 m long, which can sail by themselves after the owner has trimmed the sails in such a way that they can sail a course independently.
The celebrity match races will be sailed on Saturday at 10.25 a.m. and 2.30 p.m., as well as on Sunday at 1.30 p.m. Several prominent figures and regatta sponsors will be among the crew. It will be a true knock-out race where the best boat can call itself the winner.
Also of note is the Schottegat Challenge fishing competition, where fishermen in small boats will challenge each other on the Schottegat. The Schottegat Challenge is sponsored by UTS.
Let’s not forget about the kids!
Children are obviously more than welcome at the regatta. They will have a great time at the Kids Pavilion on the UTS Family Boulevard at Brionplein. The Family Boulevard and the authentic culinary delights from Curaçao, presented by the Curaçao Tourism Development Board, will provide a wonderful experience that no family should miss.
On top of this, children will be able to try their luck on the embankment with traditional bamboo fishing rods on Saturday from 10 to 11.30 a.m. At noon, the prizes will be awarded by magician Tom Presti. This event will be organized by Budget Marine.
Just before Alison Hinds takes the stage on Sunday night, the coveted NIBanc Cup will be awarded to the overall winner of the first edition of the Heineken Regatta Curaçao.