Golden Rock Regatta – November 12-16
On November 16, 1776, with a copy of the Declaration of Independence on board, the brig Andrew Doria approached St. Eustatius (Statia), deployed the red-and-white striped Continental Colors, and fired a 13-gun salute. Governor, Johannes de Graaff, the commander of the fort, ordered that they reply with an 11-gun salute. Statia was the first foreign power to recognize the independence of the United States. To commemorate these events, starting two years ago, the Golden Rock Regatta has been held annually to focus attention on this forgotten outpost of a bygone age.
For the third year, the Golden Rock Regatta fleet will gather in Great Bay, St. Maarten on November 11 after taking possession of their boats in Oyster Pond and attending a welcoming party at Captain Oliver's Yacht Club on November 10. For the first time, the first destination is St. Barth on November 12. From St. Barth the fleet will depart for Statia. From there, the regatta will go to St. Kitts the next day, where a typical West Indian Jump-Up complete with a jazz band will entertain the sailors. From St. Kitts the fleet will return to Statia for the traditional awarding of a prize at historic Fort Orange. After that, the fleet will return to St Maarten.
The Golden Rock Regatta consists of five races going from island to island. Participants from the surrounding islands are invited to join in at any point of the regatta. Each day has it's trophy to race for and entries are accepted on a day-by-day basis at a fee of $50 per race. See www.goldenrockregatta.com for more details.
Race 1
November 12, 2007
The St Barth Pursuit Race
Great Bay, St Maarten to Gustavia, St Barth; free night on the town
Race 2
November 13, 2007
The St Barth to Statia Race
Gustavia, St Barth to Oranjestad, Statia; prize giving at Blue Bead;
street party in Lower Town
Race 3
November 14, 2007
The St Kitts Pursuit Race
Fort Oranje, Statia to Basseterre, St Kitts; prize giving and party on
the beach at Frigate Bay
Race 4
November 15, 2007
The St Kiits to Statia Race
Basseterre, St Kitts to Oranjestad, Statia; Fort Oranje prize-giving
party; Fort Oranjestraat Festival
Race 5
November 16, 2007
The Statia Day Pursuite Race
Yachts return to Oyster Pond, St Maarten; prize giving at Captain
Oliver's Restaurant.
Our friends at All At Sea also have a feature up about the Golden Rock Regatta: http://www.allatsea.net/
Posted by: Anthony![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/st-barts/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 18, 2007 9:45 AM