Venezuela has some of the most beautiful cruising and racing waters that I have ever sailed so it was great to learn that the area outside of the marina section of Puerto la Cruz was the choice spot selected for the South Caribbean Ocean Regatta the last weekend of August. The regatta was held over three days using the outer islands as starting and stopping venues thus giving participants the opportunity to visit and stay over during the event.
This year the race began in front of Bahia de Posuelos, just outside of the Bahia Redonda Marina, and ended in Playa el Saco, which is on Chimana Grande, one of the many islands in front of Puerto la Cruz. The regatta is open to cruising boats, both visiting yachts and locals, with many locals coming from the surrounding area; this year brought forth four boats from Puerto Azul. There were 14 entries in all, dispersed among four categories: Racing – Racing/Cruising – Cruising and Open (small boats).
The event was started 11 years ago by the sailing school, Escuela de Vela Americo Vespucio, in El Moro and led by Professor Umberto Costanzo, who has run it ever since. It always ends on a nearby island where participants stay overnight for feasting and dancing. Umberto’s son, Maurizio Costanzo, runs North Sails and participates yearly, and was much encouraged by this year’s event.
“We are trying to promote sailing in the islands and encourage participation of all of the boats in this area,” said Costanzo. “We want for people to see the beauty here and to use our islands so we are promoting working with the different restaurants on the outlying islands for a more comfortable and enjoyable regatta. Included in the entry fee are two dinners and two breakfasts for two people so we feel that together we can make a real happening. Next year we hope it will be even larger as more and more foreign boats discover the event and want to participate.”
TOP WINNERS
RACING CLASS
1ST – MASCALZONE
2ND – J-24 VENEZIANA
3RD – U – EE06
CRUISING RACING
1ST – OLAFO
2ND – SAGA
3RD – DIVERSION
CRUISING
1ST – S. LORENZO
2ND – M.F.L
Free Class
#6764
#6763
