In the first week of March, almost 1,000 sailors gathered on St. Maarten. The 45th edition of the legendary Heineken Regatta also attracted thousands of spectators. No wonder, as the sailing conditions were almost perfect: apart from a few exceptions, steady winds made for four days of thrilling racing, with lively parties ashore in the evenings.
The anniversary event was characterised by the motto "Serious Fun". Anyone longing for warmth and sunshine in view of the still frosty temperatures in this country should take a look at the videos. The organisers have summarised the highlights of the individual race days in pictures, some of which are enough to make you rave.
Dramatic start with circumnavigation of the island
The first day of the regatta began with a bang. With 12 knots of southerly wind and choppy seas, the fleets set off on challenging offshore courses. While the CSA Multihull 2 and Bareboat classes sailed to Blowing Rock off Anguilla, the other participants tackled the legendary circumnavigation of the island. In CSA 1, "Sailing Poland" initially took the lead, but was ultimately beaten by "Leaps and Bounds 2".
The fastest time for monohulls with a spinnaker was achieved by "Selma Racing - Sisi" in 2:37:32 hours. The XP 50 "DNR" took the lead in CSA 2. A wind hole near Creole Rock, which brought the fleets back together, caused some excitement. In the multihulls, the Diam 24 trimaran "Zeebest" shone with an impressive time of 2:29:16 hours. A fierce squall on the east coast and the subsequent cross to the finish made for a dramatic end to the opening day.
Tactical duels in changeable winds
On the second day of the regatta, the sailors were faced with challenging conditions with light, shifty winds of between 4 and 12 knots. The race committee reacted flexibly and set a mixture of courses around turning marks and rocks as well as up-and-down courses. Each fleet completed two to three races with starts against the wind.
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In the Melges 24 class, the local teams fought exciting duels after the Puerto Rican boat "Exodus" had to retire due to a broken mast. Each race saw a different winner, and the finishes were sometimes razor-thin. "Apollo" extended its lead in the CSA 4, as did "El Ocaso" in the CSA 5 and "Zeebest" in the Diam 24. Donald Nicholson from "Apollo", who was in front for the entire regatta, enthused:
We love the races here. All the teams push each other to perform at their best. You don't get that at every Caribbean regatta."
Spectacular beach stadium racing
The third day of the regatta offered spectators a special highlight. For the first time, a beach stadium race of the Diam 24 trimarans took place on Grand Case Beach. Ten of these nimble 24-foot trimarans fought thrilling duels on a course that ended just a few metres from the beach. The crowds at the famous beach bars followed the spectacle with live commentary.
"Zeebest" initially dominated, but was dethroned by "Opteamwork.dev" in the third race. At the same time, the other classes sailed their races in Cole Bay and Simpson Bay. After a "ceremonial wind dance" by the race committee, the breeze freshened to 10 to 12 knots. "Maëlia" confidently won all the races in CSA 6, while "DNR" and "GEM" in CSA 2 and "JoyI" and "Cara" in the bareboat classes fought exciting duels for the top places.
Grand finale in picture-book conditions
At the end, St. Maarten showed itself from its most beautiful side. Perfect wind conditions and bright sunshine provided the backdrop for a spectacular last day of racing. The race committee had laid out challenging courses along the southern coast. Past the famous beaches of Maho and Mullet Bay, the numerous spectators were treated to a breathtaking sight as the sailing fleets competed with the aeroplanes taking off and landing.
"Pata Negra" in CSA 3 and "El Ocaso" in CSA 5 finished the regatta unbeaten. "El Ocaso" thus also secured overall victory and the trophy for the "Most Worthy Performance Overall". In the fiercely contested CSA 2, "DNR" prevailed against "GEM" and "Kinship". "La Novia" successfully defended her title in the Multihull 2 class, while the Italians on "Leaps and Bounds 2" defeated the Volvo yachts in CSA 1.
Focus on diversity and inclusivity
The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta 2025 also set an example beyond the sporting competitions. On 8 March, International Women's Day, the increasing female presence in sailing was celebrated. Several all-female teams took part, including the bareboat crew "Dreamboat". The "Salish Sisters" from Vancouver received the trophy for "Women in Sailing".
Women such as regatta chairman Cary Byerley and head of marketing Meg Reilly also made their mark on the event behind the scenes. The organisers also placed great emphasis on generational diversity and inclusivity. The "Caraibes Diesel" team won the SXM Youth Challenge with two young brothers at the helm. A three-generation crew, including a 96-year-old sailor, even sailed on board the "Kinship". Special races were organised for young sailors and people with disabilities.
Record participation in the multihulls
The 45th edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta marked a milestone for the multihull classes. With eight CSA multihull boats and eleven Diam 24 trimarans, it was the largest multihull field in the history of the event. The Diam 24 class in particular experienced a boom and doubled its number of participants compared to its debut in 2023.
The new beach stadium format in Grand Case proved to be a crowd-puller and is likely to push the class even further. The CSA multihull fleet impressed with its diversity - from ocean-going trimarans to 72-foot catamarans, from Leopard cruisers to G4 racing boats, everything was represented.
Party atmosphere in the Regatta Village
The Regatta Village in the Port de Plaisance developed into the beating heart of the event. The marina-side location offered the perfect mix of regatta atmosphere and Caribbean flair. Right next to the podium for the daily award ceremonies, the Sailors Bar provided a lively atmosphere. A varied food court spoilt the guests with local and international specialities.
A total of 12,973 visitors flocked to Regatta Village over the four days of the event. In the evening, live acts such as local stars Tamillia and King James as well as international stars such as calypso king Trilla G and soca queen Alison Hinds fired up the audience. The crowning finale was the performance of reggae legends The Wailers, who gave the audience goosebumps with their classics.
