Thursday 30th January

Race Day 4 sponsored by Mount Gay Rum distributed by Bryden & Minors for the interCaribbean Airways & Pure Grenada Sailing Week. 

The fourth day of racing at the interCaribbean & Pure Grenada Sailing Week 2025 delivered exhilarating action on the water as the large fleet with Multihull, Simplified, Classic, CSA1, and CSA2 classes continued their battle for supremacy. Meanwhile, the light keelboats with the J class and Beach Cat class, took to the course for their second day of intense competition. With steady trade winds and clear Caribbean skies, conditions were near perfect for another thrilling day of world-class sailing.

The day opened with a brisk 19mph wind from the northeast, with strong gusts reaching 26mph, setting the stage for tactical racing across all divisions. The strong winds added an extra layer of complexity, testing crews’ navigation skills and adaptability to judge the gusts to their full advantage. While there were no significant tidal influences, the high winds made the day particularly difficult for all participants, including the two committee boats, start and finish plus marker team boats.

The first race of the day faced an initial delay due to the mark boat’s late placement of the yellow marker at the start line. Consequently, the first class of the day the Multihull began 10 minutes later then planned, sailing course number 6. Spirit of Everest took an early lead and crossed the start line first.

The Simplified and Classics classes had a joint start also on course 6. While all boats started, Bluejay of Portsmouth had a delayed start in the Simplified class, whereas the Classic fleet got off to a smooth and timely beginning.

CSA2, with eight registered boats, started their first race on course 3, but only five boats were present at the starting line. Sassafrass joined the fleet later and was able to compete in the other races. Rasmus also joined later, but Sea Wyf faced technical difficulties and did not race at all. 

CSA1 had a delayed start on course 5. All boats were ready to start when a strong gust took the class flag from the gantry being used for the start procedure into the sea. Fortunately, on-water photographer Tim Wright retrieved it and returned it to the committee boat. Which only delayed their start by 10 minutes.

The J Class had a clean start on course 1, with a tight contest between Jedi and Joxer, but Jedi ultimately crossed the line first.

The Beach Cats class started at 09:45hrs, also on course 1. Only two boats, Tora and Getaway, lined up initially, as Apex was absent. However, Apex arrived later in the day, much like CSA2’s Sassafrass and Rasmus, and was able to compete in subsequent races.

Throughout the day, the strong winds and rough sea conditions made for unpredictable racing. Some course markers drifted off position, causing some confusion and leading to three protests being filed. At 10:37hrs, the race committee decided to abandon the active CSA1, CSA2 and J class races due to a runaway marker. The specifics of the protests will be addressed by the protest committee headed by international judge David Pelling.

This led to a second round of start procedures for CSA1, CSA2, and J80 classes. The CSA1 re-start was particularly dramatic when a crew member from Category 5 fell overboard shortly after crossing the start line. Thanks to the swift response of a nearby mark boat, the sailor was quickly rescued and returned safely without disrupting the race or delaying the start procedure for the following class.

The third and final race of the day was run on course 10, transitioning from Le Phare Bleu Marina to Port Louis Marina. The start sequence began at 1:15hrs with a rolling start for all seven classes.

Apex, arriving just in time, participated in the final race but was flagged as ‘OCS’ (On Course Side) at the start. They acknowledged their error, returned to the proper start position, and restarted legally.

After three consecutive days without any protests, four protests were filed on Race Day 4. One was heard by the protest committee and found to be invalid. Another was resolved amicably before reaching the protest committee. The remaining two protests were not pursued further.

The Race Day was sponsored by Mount Gay Rum, a long-time supporter of sailing and has been sponsoring regattas since 1939, making their Red Cap Party one of the most anticipated events of the week. The party was held at Victory Bar & Restaurant within the Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, where a special announcement was made by Marina Manager Zara Tremlett and a representative from SOL Petroleum EC Ltd. about the upcoming opening of a new fuel station at the marina. The new station is expected to open in March and will improve access to fuel for the many boats that visit Port Louis Marina every year.

Notable Performances & Looking Ahead

• Spirit of Everest continued its dominance in the Multihull class.
• Jedi displayed tactical brilliance in the J Class, securing another victory.
• Category 5’s dramatic overboard incident was handled swiftly without disrupting the race.
• Beach Cats Class deserves special recognition for their resilience. Despite brutal conditions, they completed their courses with determination and vigour.

Return Participants who come back to Grenada Sailing Week year after year were acknowledged during the evenings prize giving ceremony by Board of Director Chairman Brian Sylvester. He acknowledged their loyalty and dedication to the culture of sailing and for their continued support and enthusiasm, making the Grenada Sailing Week regatta an unforgettable and much anticipated event on the Caribbean Sailing Association calendar of events.

Weather Forecast & Expectations

Looking ahead to the final day of racing, conditions are expected to remain similar to today. Winds are forecasted to be around 23 km/h, but as always, actual conditions may differ on the water and the courses are more inland, close to the award winning Grand Anse Beach. With the competition heating up, sailors will have to be at their best to secure podium positions.

With special thanks to all our Sponsors including, Island Water World, Mount Gay Rum distributed by Bryden & Minors, Clarkes Court Boatyard & Marina and Sea Hawk Premiere Yacht Finishes. Venue Sponsors include, The Original Slipway, Las Iguanas, Carriacou Marine, Le Phare Bleu & Island Fever Tropical Tavern, Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina & Victory Bar & Restaurant and Prickly Bay Marina. Premier Sponsors Camper & Nicolsons Marinas, Sol EC Ltd. Spice Island Marine Services, National Lottery Association NLA, North Sails and Falmouth Harbour Marina Antigua. NSS Grenada Charters, Vibe Seltzer, Doyle Guides, Driftwood Fine Yacht Services, Island Dreams Yacht Services, Sea Safety, Home Hospitality Grenada, International Support Group, Glenelg Spring Water, True Blue Bay Resort, J&J Printers, Shadowfax Charters.