Posted by:
BIGDENX
(---.48.8.67.cfl.res.rr.com)
Hey MIKENTARA and all,
The weather for HR-09 was exceptional although high winds altered the course on some of the race days. On Saturday a few incidents at the start due to cruise ships, a demasting on Friday, a few minor collisions and a stanchion through the port aft gunwale of one boat I saw on the way in.
The entertainment was enjoyed by all. I'm into roots reggae and Percy has the voice to make the arm hair stand up when he does Marleyesgue numbers and Carib. stacatto rap . "Smile, you're in St. Maarten" was met with whoops at Port de Plaisance. I wish Percy played more venues and later into the night than he does but he's a perfect example of "Island time"
Orange Grove, the Netherlands based group with SXM roots rocked Kim Sha followed by the Wailers on Sunday night and into Monday morning. Listened to OG and was up front for The Wailers for about an hour when we exited for Piano. The feature act was somewhat underwhelming to most, and the crowd possibly weren't expecting the lead singer to a skinny white kid. They did a number of Marley numbers familiar to all and kept the crowd happy. A strong Latin influence dominated the other venues and again the audiences were pleased.
A bad turn of events for a Florida based bare boat team that were sailing a Beneteau 35.5 out of the MOORINGS at Oyster Pond. They got beat up by the breakers on the way to port through the channel and control became impossible when the engine cut out. You may have read they ran aground but they didn't. A series of breaking waves caused the problems that eventually found them on the reef. We spent time with them yesterday on the trip from SXM to MIA and they were shaken up, bruised and a broken wrist on one of the gals. They were short minutes from being drowning victims.
Lost the names but I'll include a pic later.
Denis