It’s all go for the Heineken Regatta in St. Maarten with 256 entries, including two Volvo Ocean Race winners. The event starts on Thursday 1st March, 2007, with an added day of Spinanaker racing in 7 classes. 57 boats have lined up for the new ‘Commodores Cup’ sponsored by Budget Marine on Thursday. Budget Marine Director Robbie Ferron also happens to be Race Chairman and a co-founder of the Heineken Regatta. On Friday 2nd all 256 entries will sail in 20 classes. The reggatta runs until 4th March.

Hurrican Force winds, 45 feet waves and freezing conditions lead to the death of Steve Hobley after the catamaran he was delivering turned over. The yacht was being delivered from France to the new owners in the USA and encounteres a fast moving storm off Bermuda. Steve Hobley was at the helm and in the fight to maintain the yacht did not have time to put on his survival suit. The yacht capsized and Steve survived for 9 hours in the freezing waters before dying of hypothermia. Olof Templeman and Kevin Klinges, fellow crew members were rescued by North Carolina Coastguard and treated for hypothermia in Bermuda. The rescue had to be mounted from North Carolina because Bermuda does not have a Coast Guard service.

On Saturday 3rd March, 2007, at 2 p.m. a ‘Hare and Tortoise Swim’ is being held in aid of Cobbs Cross Primary School. The funds will be used to build a reading room and a computer lab. The swim begins at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina and ends at the Catamaran Club. There are eight categories, with first place trophies and second place prizes. Categories include: Male, Female, Fastest Hare with and without fins, Tortoise 50+ years and Juniors 14-16. ABSAR- Antigua Barbuda Search and Rescue will keep an eye on the swimmers. All are invited to attend and we hope a good few yachties will join in.

Why wait for the next big boat show when so many new models will be on display from 5^th – 7^th May at the ‘Debut Weekend – the Launch of the Season’ at Swanwick Marina.  Two new Elans from Premier Yacht Sales will have their UK debut alongside a new Bavaria from Peters Opal.  Plus the Elan 340 fresh from winning European Yacht of the Year at Dusseldorf.

It was smiles all round aboard the new Oyster 655, which undertook her builder’s trials at the end of September 2006. The 655 is a new design by Rob Humphreys in conjunction with Oyster’s own design team. The all new 655 is, in many ways, a slightly smaller sister to the Oyster 72 that won the Rolex/ Royal Yacht Squadron Race Around the Isle of Wight last year and Cruising Class 1 in Antigua Sailing Week this season.