SIMPSON BAY—Heineken Regatta founder Robbie Ferron received a surprise special honour Sunday night at the regatta awards ceremony for his over 40 years of dedication to the Heineken Regatta, the marine industry and Caribbean sailing in general.
Joined on stage by his own family who presented him with the Robbie Ferron Cup and a Roland Richardson painting, Sint Maarten Yacht Club General Manager Michele Korteweg also announced he receives the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus of the St. Maarten Yacht Club Regatta Foundation.
“As founder of the Club and the regatta, no one deserves this more than you,” said Korteweg.
Robbie’s eldest daughter, Michele, said: “He takes his sailing very seriously. His whole life has been dedicated to sailing, this island, and the marine industry as a whole, so we are very proud of him.”
In other highlights at the awards ceremony, Ian Martin’s crew on Spellbound were presented with an Oris watch and the Randy West Trophy for Most Worthy Performance in Multihulls presented by Jon Westmoreland after the team won Multihull 2. Martin donated the trophy to young crew member Flynn Hiddes (20) whose father raced with Ian on Atlantic Privateer in the Whitbread round the world race and who passed away a few years ago. It was Flynn’s first regatta.
In other awards, Salsa (second in Bareboat 1) received the Heineken Cup for Most Worthy Performance on Saturday. Island Water World 2’s youth team (third in class) skippered by Alec Scarabelli were presented with the Youth Challenge Cup by Commodore Michel Soons. Ross Appleby’s Scarlet Oyster received Most Worthy Performance for Sunday. The Shell Sol Cup was awarded to Austrian Ocean Racing Project.
The Team Golden Dog Cup awarded to a deserving charity went to Maiden and its all-women team for their work promoting Maiden Factor.org which spreads awareness of the need to provide education for young girls worldwide.
The Fastest Spinnaker Monohull around the island went to I Love Poland. Friday’s Most Worthy Performance went to Maguy-Baltics 1 who also won the Columbus Cup for Best Bareboat overall. Proseco, winner of Bareboat 4, was fastest Bareboat around the island.
Fastest Multihull around the island award went to the 82ft trimaran Ultim Emotion 2 presented by a Port of St. Maarten representative.
The Serious Fun Bridge Awards sponsored by Remax saw prizes given to the crews from Lady Nathalie, Panther, La Novia, Kali, and all-female crew Something Hot.
