WDT Caribean 2023 is over, 2024 is on the way
by Diam24onedesign 20 Aug 2023 05:32 PDT
WDT Caribean 2023 © diam24onedesign.com
For the 2nd season of Diam 24od regattas in St Martin, the WDT Caribbean, which began in November 2022, came to a close on May 13th with the Grand Prix de Pinel, after 6 events in which 10 teams and over 40 competitors battled it out.
While the Cry Baby crew dominated the proceedings, as they did last year, it is clear that the gaps have narrowed, the general level is improving, and experience and practice are multiplying.
Pierre ALTIER, the skipper of Cry Baby, the big winner of the season (see Team and Competitors rankings), has been able to pass on his passion for the Diam 24od: after discovering the D24od in 2020, he is now in charge of commercial development for the Caribbean and North America.
"The 2023 season was superb, we were able to start structuring this young class, parking, training and the challenge, the 6 events took place in varied conditions, at each grand prix we were able to welcome new crews and all live the same experience, they are subjugated by this sport-boat, as if it had been made for the superb conditions (wind, sun and sea) that we have here".
"This season we've also been working hard on safety, and at the request of the organisers, we've been looking at the main risk, capsizing. After the teams got involved, it turned out to be just a case of going off course. The risk exists, as it does in diving, and we would like to see capsizing in the D24od becoming a basic thing"
"Another of this season's highlights, which is going to feed the stories being told on the pontoons of ocean racing, is that during the Heineken Regatta 2023, a real-time ranking for the fastest boat was awarded to a large multihull. But for the record, after a second calculation and taking into account the distances actually sailed, the title of fastest multihull around ST Martin went to the Diam 24od Cry Baby"
"For 2024, the fleet is going to grow, which will enable us to meet the growing demand for 'Easy Regatta' charters. We need to find new parking areas, the level is rising, we need to follow the class rules more closely and work with the neighbouring islands to develop Diam 24od sailing, the conditions here are perfect for D24od sailing! "