Change of schedule

St Maarten Heineken Regatta tighten their belt

The St Maarten Yacht Club announces a change to the event schedule for the 2009 edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. Upon careful review of the financial costs for the organization of the upcoming 2009 29th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, and in consideration of the world wide recession, projections strongly predict a loss for the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Organization. In order to avoid any threat to the long-term continuity of the event, the organizers have decided to consolidate more of the sailing control centers and regatta parties on the Simpson Bay Beach. While the party on the Marigot waterfront will remain, this will unfortunately mean that the normal party on the Great Bay Promenade will be moved to Simpson Bay for the 2009 edition.

The Sint Maarten Heineken Regatta is operated by the nonprofit organization, the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, and as a nonprofit organization they cannot project nor absorb losses. The high chance of a reduction in the number of participating boats and entry fees, as well as heavy expenses already made in the purchasing of promotional media, all in connection with the enormous recession that is taking place worldwide and here on our Island of St. Maarten, makes it essential that the club reduce its expenses. Although they anticipate a healthy event in March, the Yacht club has already observed a drop in the number of smaller vessels visiting the island this season, as a result of the recession and the increased costs on the island.

The Sint Maarten Yacht club has taken this decision based on the first consideration that the event must be carefully protected from breakdown due to any losses for the St.Maarten Heineken Regatta that would impact the future. It is important to note, the race courses will remain the same. As a side effect, some of the many volunteers of the yacht club and sponsors may benefit from temporary relief in stress and finances, due to the fact that the complex logistics of moving base so often will be reduced for this one year. Heather Tackling, the Director of the St Maarten Heineken Regatta adds, “This move is necessary in light of the many uncertainties we face, and hope everyone understands that this move, although perhaps temporary, can help protect the long-term health of our island’s Regatta.”

At this time, we do not anticipate this particular change being permanent, and we certainly hope the financial conditions improve for the island, the government and our many sponsors. We want to thank the businesses and patrons in the boardwalk area for the great cooperation they have showed over the past few years, and we hope they can continue to benefit from the large number of tourists that will still visit our island during this year's St Maarten Heineken Regatta.