Heineken Regatta: The Diam 24od Shines Under the Caribbean Sun
The Heineken Regatta 2025, held from March 6 to 9 in Saint-Martin, once again lived up to all expectations. The “Serious Fun” concept of the Heineken Regatta was fully embraced by the Diam 24od Class. Under a blazing sun and in ideal conditions, the Diam 24ods put on a spectacular show, blending speed, strategy, and total commitment on the water. Once ashore, crews gathered every evening at the regatta village to relive the day’s races to the vibrant rhythms of the Afro-Caribbean music scene.
Eleven teams lined up for the event, including the top three crews from the WDT France 2024, ensuring a week of high-level competition. The trimaran Zeebest, helmed by Benoît Champanhac, stood out by posting the fastest time across all classes during the round-the-island raid of Saint-Martin, finishing in 2 hours, 29 minutes, and 16 seconds — once again demonstrating the impressive performance of the Diam 24od in Caribbean conditions.
A major innovation this year was the introduction of stadium racing just off Grand Case beach, alongside the traditional coastal courses. This new format was warmly welcomed by sailors and spectators alike, with live commentary provided by announcers usually heard on SailGP circuits. The downwind starts, set just off the beach, produced spectacular scenes, with daring overtakes and close-contact duels, confirming the Diam 24od’s versatility and its rightful place in the Caribbean’s finest sailing events.
To round off this world-class regatta, a prize-giving ceremony worthy of the biggest stages was followed by a live concert by The Wailers, ensuring a memorable finale to an event that will stay long in the memories of all those lucky enough to attend.
