Bequia Easter Regatta 2014 welcomes new sponsors

The Bequia Sailing Club has announced that long-time Bequia Easter Regatta sponsor, the St Vincent Brewery, will be returning as Platinum sponsor of Regatta 2014, with their premium brand Hairoun beer.{{more}}

Hairoun joins Gold sponsor Mount Gay Rum, Silver sponsor United Insurance, Bronze sponsors Mountain Top Spring Water and the SVG Tourism Authority, and additional event sponsors – the Bequia Beach Hotel, the Frangipani Hotel and Action Bequia – in providing vital support to Bequia’s internationally renowned regatta. The generous financial contributions of C. K. Greaves (St Vincent), Sandrock Bequia, Sugar Reef Bequia, WIP/French House, De Reef Bequia and Quik Print (St Vincent) play an equally important role in ensuring the event’s success, as do the contributions of numerous smaller donors, the Sailing Club said.

Following on from their record-breaking 53-yacht entry in 2013, the organisers are anticipating another strong turnout for their 33rd edition, which will run from 17th – 21st April.

“Everyone in the cruising community knows what a tremendous feel-good factor there is during Bequia Easter Regatta,” says Bequia Sailing Club spokesperson Nicola Redway, “so even though Easter is late this year, Bequia is still the only place to be if you are looking for the best fun you ever had at a small island regatta!”

Although much increased in size and status, for 33 years the Bequia Easter Regatta has never lost its unique small island appeal. The sight of at least 30 locally built sprit-rigged double-ender boats competing with legendary skill on the same waters as 50 or so yachts of all shapes and sizes, has no equal. This year, the double-ender fleet will be competing in three races – two Hairoun Challenges, on Easter Saturday and Sunday, and the final Mount Gay Challenge on Easter Monday.

“Lay Day,” Easter Sunday, is when most yachtsmen take the chance to relax and enjoy the spectacle of the start of Sunday’s Hairoun double-ender Challenge in Friendship Bay, enjoy the Sandcastle Competition and Family Fun Day at the Bequia Beach Hotel, or just to chill out with the landlubbers on one of Bequia’s many beautiful beaches. A fearless few, however, will choose to compete in Easter Sunday’s Hairoun “Round the Island” single-handed Yacht Race – the ultimate seamanship challenge for the solo sailor and his yacht.

In addition to sponsoring Easter Monday’s final double-ender race, Gold Sponsor Mount Gay Rum will also be lending its name to the full day of yacht races on Good Friday, culminating in a special Mount Gay Prize-giving at the Sponsors’ Welcome Reception at the Frangipani that afternoon.

Bequia’s specially designed series of six races for the J24 class, including the United Insurance J24 3-Race Challenge on Easter Saturday, and the award of the J24 Southern Caribbean Champion Trophy to Bequia’s overall J24 winner ensures that this is the one event that is able to attract J24s from every nation in the region.

With thrilling local double-ender races, and superbly run yacht races for a variety of monohull classes, including two One-Design classes, there is no doubt that the region’s cruising and racing community, and visitors and residents alike are all eagerly looking forward to yet another exciting and highly competitive sailing event for 2014.