Whilst many local residents are gearing up to spend Easter camping on the land, Cayman’s sailing community are busy preparing to take to the ocean for the annual Round the Island Easter race.
The 60th Easter Round the Island Sailing Regatta, sponsored by Harbour House Marina annual regatta takes place traditionally on Good Friday (29 th March) and involves sailboats of various sizes starting off from within North Sound early in the morning and racing around to a finish line on seven mile beach. The races start is out the North Sound’s main channel in a clockwise direction for 42 miles.
Skippers will already be eagerly watching weather forecasts, as the wind and waves play a big part in how fast they can complete the race.
Some boats that do not feel up to undertaking the long voyage round, can also take a shortened route in a westerly direction down seven mile beach to join the rest of the fleet for the after race party at Sunset.
In stronger than expected Easter northeasterly winds are expected, gusting to over 20 knots is predicted. The sunny skiies and big winds will unfold as the sailors likely hoist their colorful spinnakers past the East End lighthouse and Bodden Town coast line midday Good Friday March 29th. A few of this years entries are Arktos, Adrenaline, Blue Runner, Mirikama, Seawind, Jellicle, Orion, Dragonwood and PowerPlay.
There is a second shorter race on the Saturday March 30th going from Sunset House back to the sound that completes the circumnavigation.
Harbour House Marina have been the sponsor of the event for many years and will again be providing the prizes to the winners and a ferry service on Friday nights for sailors to go ashore at sunset house.
If any sailors are interested in joining in the race, they can find more details and entry forms by emailing [email protected] or contacting the Cayman Islands Sailing Club 947 7913.
There will be a skippers briefing on the Thursday night (28 th March) at the Cayman Islands Sailing Club from 6pm.
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