St Eustatius to host Golden Rock Regatta in November 2006
Sailing competition includes teams from the Netherlands, USA, Austria, St Maarten, St Kitts and St Eustatius
The St Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation
Oranjestad, St Eustatius (September 2006) – St Eustatius, affectionately called Statia “The Golden Rock,” is poised to welcome Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the jolly participants of The Statia First Salute Race on November 16, 2006 in the prize giving finals in the second Golden Rock Regatta. “The new kid on the block” of Caribbean sailing competitions, the Golden Rock Regatta is known as the only regatta in the northeastern Caribbean that involves races between multiple islands.
The Golden Rock Regatta hosts races between the islands of St Maarten, St Kitts, St Barts and St Eustatius. Coordinator Juul Hermsen is already experiencing significant growth in the number of participants over last year. “We will host teams from the Netherlands, USA, Austria, and St Maarten, St Kitts, St Eustatius. Current records show a total of approximately 20 boats with about 150 participants, organization included,” says Hermsen. Some interest is also expected from Belgium, UK and Germany.
What makes the Golden Rock Regatta exciting is that it coincides with the Annual Statia-America Day Week of Activities, which is expected to have Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands as the guest of honour this year. These celebrations are held to commemorate the historic First Salute to the United States of America on November 16, 1776.
This year marks the 230th anniversary of St Eustatius becoming the first foreign nation to officially recognize America’s independence. History teaches that The Brig Andrew Doria sailed into the roadstead of Oranjestad, the capital of St Eustatius 230 years ago, deploys the red-and-white-striped continental colours and fires a salute of thirteen guns. On the insistence of the Governor, Johannes de Graaff, the commander of Fort Oranje replies with 11 guns. These shots would echo around the world.
On Monday, November 13, 2006 the first race, The St Maarten/Statia Pursuit Race starts from Great Bay, St Maarten in the early hours ending in Oranje Bay, St Eustatius. On Tuesday the St Kitts Races are scheduled at Frigate Bay. On Wednesday the St Kitts/St Barts Race commences in Basseterre, St Kitts and ends in Gustavia, St Barts.
The Statia First Salute Race starts in St Barts and ends in St Eustatius. Here sailors will be welcomed by islanders during the ever-popular annual St Eustatius Fort Oranje Street Festival brimming with a potpourri of cultures, sweet calypso music and tasty Caribbean delights. Participants in the Golden Rock Regatta will experience no dull moments during one week of sailing on open seas while visiting four totally different islands. Each race will culminate with nightly award ceremonies and festive parties enhanced by cool breezes under a tropical moonlight. The five-day-long 2nd Golden Rock Regatta races culminate on November 18, when charter yachts return to Oyster Pond in St Maarten.
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