On November 9th, writer-photographer Joe Russell arrived on St. Maarten to announce that U.S. based WoodenBoat Magazine (www.woodenboat.com) has joined Presidente (Breweries Unlimited), The Moorings, Statia Island Government and De Wilgen as a major sponsor of the Golden Rock Regatta series scheduled to begin on November 13th in Great Bay.
Russell, the U.S. press liaison for the Golden Rock Regatta praised publisher Carl Cramer and editorial assistant Robin Jettinghoff for their support of this historical event. Though KATE, a wooden 12 meter yacht built on St. Kitts is the sole ‘wooden’ participant in this year’s race, WoodenBoat Magazine’s recent commitment ensures a robust wooden yacht class for the 2010, sixth anniversary running of the Golden Rock Regatta.
The regatta celebrates the commercial, political and social importance of St. Eustatia throughout the 18th century. This culminated in the return of a cannon salute on November 16th, 1776, to a U.S. flagged brigantine – Andrew Doria. The salute represented the first recognition of the United States as a sovereign nation by a foreign government.
This annual regatta will be punctuated every five years, starting in 2016, by a tall ship regatta starting from Philadelphia and culminating in the Oranjestad Roads on November 16th. A replica of Andrew Doria is under construction in Maryland (www.andrewdoria.com) and will participate in the tall ship event along with vessels from around the world.
The fleet for this year’s regatta will congregate at Bobby’s Marina at Great Bay on November 12th with a start up to Road Bay, Anguilla on the 13th. After daily races to Grand Case and Oranjestad (a day of closed course racing), the regatta ends in Oyster Pond, St. Maarten.
Television and print coverage of the event is scheduled and information for attending the post-race celebrations can be obtained by contacting:
Bea van Dijk
+599 554 8715
