SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) - Get ready for a thrilling weekend of racing as the Sint Maarten Yacht Club (SMYC) gears up to host the highly anticipated 2024 Caribbean Dinghy Championships (CDC) from October 25-27!

This is more than just a regatta – it’s an all-out showdown of skill, speed, and team spirit, with 46 dinghy sailors from eight different countries battling it out on the waters of Simpson Bay. Sponsored by Motorworld and organized in partnership with the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA), this year’s CDC promises to be one for the books.

Teams from Antigua, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Saint Martin, and of course, Sint Maarten, will be competing in six boat classes – Optimist, RS Quest, RS Zest, ILCA 4, 6, and 7 – and the competition will be fierce!

Teams will be racing not just for class victories, but for the ultimate bragging rights: Best Overall Team. Will Antigua defend their crown, or will a new champion rise from the waves?

It all kicks off with a practice day on Thursday, October 24, followed by a welcome dinner to allow for the participants to connect as they are all passionate about dinghy sailing, for some it will be the ultimate opportunity to seize up the competition! Then the real action starts on Friday with the first round of racing.

Expect exciting starts, tight finishes, and plenty of emotions as competitors push their limits over three days of fierce competition. The final races will be held on Sunday, with the grand prize-giving ceremony scheduled for early afternoon, when the champions will hoist their trophies high. Daily prize-giving events will keep competitors on their toes throughout the weekend and add to the overall excitement.

Expect wind, speed, and smiles on Simpson Bay as the dinghies take to the water! Paul Henriquez, no stranger to Sint Maarten’s sailing scene, will serve as the Race Officer, ensuring fair and exciting races. Meanwhile, the jury consists of Steven Kern from Barbados (joining digitally) and Ian Hope Ross, ready to weigh in on any racing calls.

Food is covered by Zeebest, who will fuel the racers with delicious lunches each day, and Captain D’s Ribshack who will be serving up flavorful dinners to keep energy levels high.

One of the weekend’s most exciting stories is the arrival of St. Vincent, sending sailors to race in Sint Maarten for the very first time. They're beyond thrilled to make their debut, and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the racecourse! And of course, the home team, Sint Maarten, will be competing in full force, hoping to take home top honors in every class. They have hosted the CDC before and should be able to showcase top performance on home turf.

"The wind, the waves, and the energy of the sailors – it’s going to be an unforgettable weekend,” says Sam Peeks, racing coach at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. “With a mix of seasoned competitors and fresh talent, the excitement levels are through the roof. It’s not just about winning; it’s about celebrating the spirit of Caribbean sailing.”

 Whether you’re a die-hard sailing fan or just someone who loves watching a good competition, this year’s Caribbean Dinghy Championships is an event you won’t want to miss!

SINT MAARTEN (CAY BAY) - NV GEBE would like to address a video circulating on social media suggesting that the Power Plant is on fire. This information is completely false, NV GEBE said in a statement on Saturday.

“The smoke seen in the video was caused by a failure on the Turbo Charger for Engine 18, which resulted in temporary smoke emission. We understand the concern of the public, and we assure everyone that the situation is under control.

“As a result of this engine failure, some areas are (Ed. Were on Saturday) currently experiencing power outages. However, we are actively working on restoring power as swiftly as possible. Our team at the plant is busy resolving the issue to ensure the continuation of reliable service.

“NV GEBE remains committed to providing transparent communication with the public and will keep everyone informed of any developments,” the NV GEBE statement concludes.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Mirla Croes (Informatie & Advies), of the San Nicolas branch of the Aruba National Library/Biblioteca Nacional Aruba (BNA), received a selection of books, a poetry CD, and booklets from House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP), said Jacqueline Sample, president of the St. Martin publisher.

HNP projects director Lasana M. Sekou briefly met with Croes on October 4, 2024, during a visit to San Nicolas, to contribute the HNP titles to the library, said Sample.

“The junior scholastic booklets presented like Mr. Bibi – Pioneer in House Drawing & Design and Gassy – Champion Cyclist are about St. Martiners with unique experiences in Aruba generally and specifically in San Nicolas during the first half of the last century,” said Sample.

Books donated were Salted Tongues – Modern Literature in St.Martin by Fabian Adekunle Badejo, Brother Rich ... – Creative Writing in St. Martin, Edited by Rhoda Arrindell, and The Essence of Reparations by Amiri Baraka.

A collection of essays by acclaimed Bajan scholar and novelist George Lamming, a bilingual anthology of poems selected by Emilio Jorge Rodriguez, and the children’s book Ti Koko and Kush Kush by Patricia G. Turnbull were among the titles added, focusing on St. Martin, regional, and international writings and issues, said Sample.

While at the BNA San Nicolas branch, Sample viewed the exhibition “Slavery: Ten True Stories of Dutch Colonial Slavery” in the entrance lobby of the library.

One of the stories made reference to the St. Martin anti-Slavery legend Lohkay, said Sample. “For a more telling introduction of Lohkay, check out the book National Symbols of St. Martin,” said Sample.

“Over the years, several libraries and research centers in the Caribbean, including BNA, St. Maarten Library, Médiathèque Alfred-Degras, Curacao National Library, the Virgin Islands Caribbean Cultural Center, Médiathèque Territoriale, and UWI libraries have independently acquired books from HNP.

“While HNP authors are already represented in their collections, we periodically donate additional books to further expand their offerings, as part of our ongoing efforts to promote reading, writing, and publishing in the region,” said Sample.

SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) - The Sint Maarten Yacht Club (SMYC) was thrilled to host a lively and well-attended Open House on Saturday, October 5th. The day was filled with exciting activities, including free trial sailing experiences that allowed participants from all ages to experience sailing for the first time. Meanwhile, our more advanced sailors took to the water with confidence, navigating their boats independently.

One of the highlights of the day was the Rosé Sailing Competition, featuring four enthusiastic female teams competing in RS Quests. Congratulations to the Hardwell family with captain Harper, who sailed their way to victory and claimed the first place title. As part of their prize, mom was presented with a bottle of Rosé. 

Second place went to Laurie and Anouk with Tessa Reinders as their captain, and rounding out the top three was the SMYC office team, comprised of Dolein, Celeste, Natatia, Natatia’s cousin, Stephanie and captain Elja. The fourth team to finish was Anna and Maud, with Susan ter Haar as their captain.

In addition to sailing, the Open House offered arts and crafts activities. The bracelet-making station was a hit, with both parents and children eagerly creating keepsakes to take home. Barbara and Melanie from the social committee led the activity, teaching everyone interested how to make their own bracelets or keychains. “The atmosphere was vibrant with community spirit, as attendees enjoyed an assortment of fun activities”, said interim manager, Natatia Gefferie. “It was wonderful to see people of all ages having such a good time at the Open House.” She continues.

Although there was very little wind throughout the day, this provided the perfect opportunity for beginners to become familiar with the boats, the water, and the basics of sailing. Visitors were able to enjoy refreshing drinks from the bar, along with delicious johnny cakes and pancakes, generously prepared by Lucy from the social committee.

A big thank you to all our volunteers, staff, the social committee and participants for making this event a resounding success! Your support and enthusiasm continue to make the Sint Maarten Yacht Club a thriving community hub. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for more fun on the water!