Heineken Regatta 2015

Caribbean cheer Great racing, great Contest… that’s how the 35th Heineken St Maarten Regatta played out in early March with Contest 42CS Beluga scooping an impressive second in class in this world ranking Caribbean racing series. By anyone’s measure a striking result proving the true performance prowess of this really versatile, comfortable and capable fast cruising yacht. Raced annually, the Heineken Regatta draws a big, keen crowd, this year not far short of 200 entries and 2000 sailors with a heady mix from Volvo 60 to Melges 24, and mostly sailing to the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) handicap. Beluga sailed in CSA5 in the three day, five race event sailed in pretty boisterous wind and swell, and a good test of a well found boat. “It was so nice to see how everything worked so well,” says Contest Yachts CEO Arjen Conijn who sailed among Beluga’s afterguard, “and she just looked so good!”