Dominican Republic regatta starts tomorrow

Sean McNeill previews the Casa de Campo Regatta 2007 Presidente Cup

The inaugural Casa de Campo Regatta 2007 Presidente Cup is set to open tomorrow with 26 entries racing off the Dominican Republic. The overall winner will receive the Presidente Cup and a watch from event sponsor Corum.

The regatta was created to help promote the Casa de Campo Yacht Club and Marina. The deepwater port features 400 slips and has a 120-ton TraveLift. It is part of Casa de Campo, a five-star resort on 7,000 sprawling acres on the south side of the eastern end of the Dominican Republic.

Racing commences tomorrow and subsequent race days follow on Thursday and Saturday. The regatta will be scored under the PHRF handicapping system.

Two races per day are planned for Wednesday and Thursday. Saturday’s final race is scheduled to take competitors around Isla Catalina. The fleet could be bolstered by three superyachts, including the Bruce King-designed 150ft ketch Alejandra, striking with her traditional navy blue topsides, white boot stripe and red antifouling paint.

Friday is a day of activity for entrants. An exhibition match race regatta, featuring World Match Racing Tour President Scott MacLeod and noted sailing scribe Tom Leweck, will be held in the morning followed by a golf tournament in the afternoon. There’s also nightly entertainment planned.

"We welcome all the entrants and their families to Casa de Campo," said Tony Torres, Manager of Casa de Campo Yacht Club. "We look forward to establishing this regatta as a featured event in the Caribbean."

Gianfranco Fini’s Comet 51 Sport Bellissima is scratch boat in the fleet with the low rating of -10. The skipper is head of the Gianfranco Fini firm, a renowned architectural firm headquartered in Rome. Fini designed the Casa de Campo Marina and Yacht Club.

Racing will be held off Casa de Campo, on the south side of the eastern end of the island. The racecourse will be situated between Isla Catalina to the west and Isla Saona to the east. Saturday’s final race is planned to round Isla Catalina.

The Casa de Campo Regatta 2007 Presidente Cup is sponsored by Presidente beer. Official sponsors include Casa de Campo Yacht Club, Corum, Casa Life magazine, Bleu Marine, Naked Fish restaurant, Peynado Group, Tropigas, Sunix and Silgon.