The 44 catamarans are built up, the trade wind is blowing, the first pitch poles are a fact and the sailors are on fire. It is time for the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta. Despite Friday’s news about the Tornado losing her Olympic status, the competitors enjoyed the fantastic sailing conditions on two hulls off the island of Aruba. The smiles on their faces weren’t washed off. They received a warm welcome by the ATA at the annual opening party in the garden of Holiday Inn. After a delicious dinner the local music and dancers stole the show.

Saturday’s program will start with a practise race, followed by a lunch offered by Colgate and the first two official races. This year’s fleet shows again great strength with F18 European Champion Mischa Heemskerk (NED), 2005 winner Stuart Gummer (GBR), runner up for many times Richard Allen (GBR), 2001 winner William Sunnucks (GBR), two times winner Xander Pols (NED), 2003 winner Gunnar Larsen (NED), record holder Round Texel Wouter Samama (NED) and former winner John Moret (NED). Although the winners of 2006, Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis (NED), are not present, the competition will be tough. The top ten of the overall standing will race with a tracking and tracing device of Setar. Their positions will be displayed on a big screen on the beach and on the internet, which makes the battle for victory more interesting for people onshore.

Special edition stamps

The regatta has become a tradition, which is rewarded with a special edition stamps, proudly presented by Post Aruba. The catamarans of the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta decorate stamps of four different values. These collector’s items are available at the post office.

The Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta starts off today and will finish on Thursday November 15 after ten exciting races. The VIP-race will be held on Sunday November 11th and Tuesday November 13th is lay day.

For more information, video, tracing and tracking, photographs and reports, please surf to www.arubaregatta.com

In addition to title sponsors Heineken and the Aruba Tourism Authority, the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta is also sponsored by Hapag Lloyd, TNG Swiss Watches, KLM, Holiday Inn, Does & Cadushi, Yamaha, Patria, Young Improvement, Magic Marine, Coca Cola, AWA, Anthony Veder & Co, Aruba Watersports Center, Colgate, Palm Tours, Pelican Watersports, Seaworld Explorer, Aruba Real Estate and Aruba Aloe.