The Aruba International Regatta would like to thank its sponsors and partners for making the 14th edition of the sailing extravaganza very successful.
Our sponsors and partners contributed diverse resources and products and helped build and operate a regatta village capable of handling the event over two days, June 28 to 30, 2024, at the Naptali Henriquez park beach front.
Some regatta highlights included Zane Winterdal’s win, unseating longtime, senior sunfish champion Richard v/d Wal. The youngster also went on to win the travelling Ernie Kervel trophy, won by Richard last year.
Finnigan Foht, a young sailor from Florida, on vacation on the island with his parents, won the Optimist races — his first win, and his first international win.
Iona de L’Isle won the Sailqubes Silver races fighting against bigger and older opponents.
Captain Annemarie Melchers, raced Galena for the first time, winning the trophy as Best Rookie of the regatta.
Also from Curacao, a sunfish competitor, Ingeborg Hessing, who pledged to return next year.
Captain Vivian Hankart, raced Ragamuffin for a victory over Tranquillo, captained by crew-mentor Anthony Hagedoorn. When students win, you may start calling the teacher MASTER!
For me, says foundation president Rik van der Vaart, the highlight of the regatta was the record number of kids sailing on the water, enjoying the wind, the waves, and the competition, with their peers.
Thank you sponsors, we could not have done it without you!
ALBO ARUBA General Contractors; Aruba Airport Authority; Aruba Tourism Authority; Aruba Bank; Studio Advisory; Romar Trading; Bon Bini Cargo Services; Integrated Security Services; Trampolin Pa Trabou; Varadero Aruba; Marketing Plus NV; Tranquillo Sailing Charters; Deepwater Marine Shop; Bula Surf Shop; Marcus Wiggins; Scuba Safari; Op=Op; Swift Trading; Royal Aruba Aloe; Setar; Aruba Wine & Dine; Jolly Pirates; Budget Marines; T2Pan; Son — Sound Optimizing Network; CX Events & Cashless Solutions; Aruba Active Vacations; Satex; Aruba Ports Authority; Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino; Pizza Hut; Costa Linda Beach Resort; Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort; Aruba Marriott complex; and Stichting Neptali Henriquez, allowing the regatta access to their area. Thank you WRCA, Stichting Rancho, and SYWA, Aruba’s sailing school for your partnership.
