In its fifth year, the annual Bluewater Fun Sail Regatta was held last week from Lagos Marina.
The event began on Friday (September 14) morning with a registration breakfast, courtesy of Marina de Lagos, where skippers were briefed on competition rules and safety regulations.
Paul Mallet, Director of Bluewater Algarve told the Algarve Resident: “With 27 boats registered on the Friday we motored out into the bay with a gentle breeze blowing from the south, once in the bay we found no wind at all, not even a tickle, so we waited and luckily, a breeze eventually showed up.
“The course was set, the five minute gun was sounded and the countdown began. But to much disappointment, the wind disappeared again, initiating a very long wait that prompted organisers to open the bar set up for the occasion early, and sailing for that day was cancelled.”
On Saturday, participants arrived at a very foggy Marina with a grim-outlook on the day’s possibility for sailing.
“Regardless of the fog, we got everyone to motor out about 500 metres from the Marina, and to our surprise, the weather began to clear and a gentle breeze started coming in from the south,” said Paul.
With just enough wind to get the boats moving, the race finally began.
Triangle courses, also known as ‘around the cans’, used for the regatta enabled all the competitors to sail relatively easily.
Paul said: “The wind stayed with us for the rest of the day allowing us to get a second race in and then it was back to the bar for some light refreshment, shade and friendly banter.”
The third and final day on Sunday gave sailors the best winds of all the days.
“With 10-15 knots from the south west, we had two races, first around the cans and secondly a race was made from Lagos to Praia da Luz, then onto Alvor and back to the finish line in Lagos. It was a fantastic race to finish the weekend with.”
To conclude the event a prize giving and farewell party was held on Sunday evening, at a special sailors’ village marquee, set up in the Marina.
“The evening was perfect, and saw all guests enjoy a free bar, pig on a spit, a BBQ, and paella. Live entertainment was also given by the Jazz Bastards, who set a great party atmosphere,” Paul commented.
Prizes were awarded by Paul to the third place winning boat, Tonga, skippered by Ferry Jantzen. The second place winning boat, Seita 2, which is skippered by Antonio Viejas, and the first place winning boat, Carnage skippered by Paul himself.
“As the first place was won by myself, all prizes dropped to the next in line, giving Firefly skippered by Rob Clark the third place prize,” said Paul.
Prizes included a meal for four including drinks at the Lighthouse (Lagos Marina), boating equipment such as a boat lift, hard standing and antifouling, plus more.
“A fantastic time was had by all. Special thanks go to Marina de Lagos, Algarve Marquees and Premier FX for all sponsoring the event,” Paul concluded.
