PURE SAIL, PURE SPICE January 25 -29, 08

Over two hundred persons from Grenada and the Caribbean joined Grenada’s sailing festival team and new sponsors Port Louis Grenada at the marina’s Victory Bar for cocktails and champagne in September to launch the event.

Port Louis Grenada has committed to sponsoring the sailing festival for the next three years and, with festival organizers will be marketing the Sailing Festival internationally. The even will feature races in Workboat and Keelboat categories as well as Kayak races and Junior Races.

Attending the launch were Minister of Works Hon. Brenda Hood; Minister of Private Sector Development Hon Einstein Louison; Sailing festival Chairman Jimmy Bristol and his entire team; and Chairman and Founder of Savvy Grenada Peter de Savary.

Race committee officials told All at Sea they look forward to welcoming boats arriving into the Caribbean for the winter season to the Isle of Spice for the festival and were planning on making a presentation in November to the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria before the Atlantic crossing.

"Grenada has undergone a renaissance since the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. This lovely island is back on the international stage for all the right reasons, having successfully hosted the Super Eight matches for the Cricket World Cup," said Festival Administrator MaryAnn Williams.

"Peter de Savary is a keen sailor himself, and is as passionate in his commitment to support the Grenada Sailing Festival as he is to develop Port Louis to the highest standards," Williams said.

"Keelboat racing takes place over four days, with a mixture of passage, pursuit, challenging open sea (off the South Coast) and the tricky Grand Anse Bay courses, ensuring that skippers and crew are tested in every aspect of sailboat racing," Williams said. "Each day has its own sponsor, so chances to pick up a trophy (or four) are many, and on top of that the overall winners are rewarded on the final night as well." True Blue Bay resort is the host venue again this year.

For information and entry forms for the festival: www.grenadasailingfestival.com