2007 brought success—but 2008 didn’t start so well for the owner of the new yacht D’Trip. After participating for the first time in the 24th edition of the prestigious End-of-the-Year-Race in Curacao, the 43 ft Grand Soleil, sailed by the Curaçao All Women’s team proudly obtained a third place. Only two days later on January 1st, the euphoria was over. A Bonaire-registered motor boat, the Way Out, rammed the yacht in high speed at the starboard bow, wreaking quit a ravage and leaving a Curacao sailing team, with plans to participate in the St Maarten Heineken Regatta, in sackcloth and ashes.
Thanks to a quick action taken by the team of Curacao Marine boatyard, where the repair took place with the help of a Dutch specialist who had to be flown in, the repair started on time. As All At Sea went to press it looked like the yacht would be like new and ready to do the passage to St. Maarten at the end of February—ready to race in the 28th Heineken, where she also will promote the new Curaçao Heineken Regatta. The first edition is scheduled for November 2008. In our next issue, a step-by-step inside look at the repair.
