Maxi Racing For Budding Sailors

Supersail Cayman officially launched the Grand Cayman Maxi Challenge last Saturday at Sunset House. The Challenge, the first of its kind in Cayman, allows budding sailors the chance to race against each other on board two 80ft yachts.

Supersail owners, Michael HIGH and Neil GALWAY, came up with the concept in response to the growing interest in non-conventional ways of spending leisure time.

“It’s all about tourism diversification,” said Mr High. “We wanted to offer visitors to Cayman something new to do, beyond visiting Seven Mile Beach and the Sandbar.”

The three-hour, twice a day, Maxi Challenge is aimed primarily at cruise ship and corporate customers but Supersail also offers residents days, usually held once a month. No experience is required to take part and guests can choose to either work the boats or relax and enjoy the adrenaline-fuelled excursion.

“Not many people get the chance to get on board yachts like these as they are so expensive,” said Mr High, adding, “It is like the Americas Cup with the two yachts racing against each other.”

Both yachts, which can accommodate up to 22 guests per trip, have a crew of professional sailors to instruct guests and push the boats to their maximum performance.

The maxi yachts were designed for the Whitbread Round The World Race, the forerunner to the Volvo Ocean Race, and were built to withstand gruelling conditions. They are capable of reaching boat speeds of 30 knots and more.

One of the yachts, Celebrity, won the 2001 Sydney-Hobart Race and in December 2002 set a new speed record for the Round Ireland.

Fore more information on the Grand Cayman Maxi Challenge visit the supersail website at the address below.