One woman, one man, one boat.
Despite menacing weather and the withdrawal of beach cats and Pico’s (because of pollution in Fort de France Bay), the dynamic members of the Club Nautique Le Neptune du Lamentin gathered together 43 couples and their boats to take part in the classic double-handed regatta ‘One woman, one man, one boat’. After lunch and some last-minute instructions, the 43 crews, divided into four categories (Monohull 1 (23 boats), Monohull 2 (14 boats), Tempest (4 boats), Cruising Multihulls (1 boat) all took to the water under a violent squall which allowed some to perform some free and uncontrolled maneuvers and others to gain some serious speed.
The weather conditions gradually improved to allow the race to finish beneath a beautiful sunset and a light breeze. The four courses allowed competitors to cross each other regularly and finish en masse at the Cohe du Lamentin in spite of their varying potential speeds. Three hours after their departure, the crews found themselves at the prize giving and a snack offered by Fort de France’s Sea Services Ship Chandler which once again covered competitors with prizes thanks to additional partners: Cousin Cordags, Matt Chem, Total Caraibes, Authentic Models, Saint James.
Results :
Cruising Multihulls : DRABENEC
Tempest : CARAIBES IMPORT
Monohull 1 : CHAPLA
Monohull 2 : MAYRO
Martinique in February :
Although little practiced by sailors from neighbouring islands, despite the challenge it poses, the Non-Stop tour of Martinique will take place over the 3rd and 4th of February. Around 20 boats divided into two classes (Racing and Cruiser-Racing) take part each year. The start is given by the Club Le Neptune on Saturday evening, and the sailors savour, after a difficult nighttime passage in the Dominica channel, five or six hours downwind sailing under spinnaker as far as Marin—16 to 20 hours’ challenge in total.
The next big CNN Challenge (Club Nautique le Neptune) is the 2nd edition of the Martinique Carnival Regatta over the 17th, 18th and 19th February. This international regatta already brought together 15 boats for its first edition, including some from neighbouring islands like Guadeloupe. These three days of racing, to the rhythm of the Carnival, promise once more intense competition on the water and lively evenings.
