Regatta season is upon us

Regatta season has started in Coconut Grove. The Orange Bowl Regatta, based at the Coral Reef Yacht Club, always comes around during the holidays. That's when you start to see sailors up and down South Bayshore Drive on the days between Christmas and New Years's. I already saw some sailors shopping and getting ready for the regatta which runs from December 26 to 30 this year.

Along with sailing, events are heldo like College Sailing Forum (college night) and an Opti Competitor's Dinner, there is a raffle and more.

Boat trailers will be taking over Regatta Park again, not pleasant for residents but part of the program.

The M32 Class is kicking off the New Year with Act One of the M32 Miami Winter Series which runs from January 6 to 8; February 10 to 12 and March 9 to 12, the March event is part of Bacardi Sailing Week. They too will be setting up camp at Regatta Park.

Three new teams will be joining the Winter fleet: Pieter Taselaar and Team Bliksem; Rick DeVos on Team REV; and Ryan DeVos on XS Energy. For Team Bronco, Convexity, Escape Velocity and Liftoff this will be the return for the third year.

“After a successful five event M32 Series North America this summer we are very excited to be back in Miami. The conditions for racing are fantastic and the venue in Coconut Grove fits our needs. We have a close partnership with the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and we look forward to getting lots of winter racing,” according to James Pleasance, Director North America - Aston Harald Sports | M32 World. “The interest around the class is continuing to grow and we will have up to nine teams join us in later events.”