For the 2nd year, Port Louis Marina in Grenada was the host venue for the intrepid Viking Explorers Rally 2022.
Grenada Tourism Authority, Camper & Nicholson Port Louis Marina welcomed the sailors and made them feel like at home.
As boats were arriving, they were welcomed personally by Chinel Sandy from the Grenada Tourism Authority and Port Louis Marina manager Zara Tremlett, as well as fellow sailors and the Viking Explorers staff.
After their arrival, participants enjoyed several parties and Sundowners offered by the Grenada Tourism Authority, Port Louis Marina, Grenada Yacht Club, The Petit Calivigny Yacht Club, Budget Marine and Spice Island Marine Services, and the Welcome Ceremony at the True Blue Bay Resort.
At the Welcome Ceremony, Nikoyan Roberts, Manager of the Nautical Department from the Grenada Tourism Authority, welcomed the sailors, thanking them all for having chosen this island as their destination after the Atlantic Crossing. Zara Tremlett also welcomed all sailors, and Oliver Solanas Heinrichs, Managing Director of Viking Explorers and Carlota Texeira, PR for Viking Explorers, thanked everyone for contributing to such a great and friendly group.
Participants received many gifts from sponsors, as each of them came on stage, and everyone was so amazed for being part now of this great family, where everybody knows each other. Some of the participants performed some songs on stage, while enjoying the Rum Punch, Finger food, and a Rum and Chocolate Tasting offered by True Blue Bay.
At the fun price giving, SY Namo, was awarded for being the newest boat, a Beneteau Sense 51 from 2018 and SY Meander, a Colvic 34 from year 1973 for being the oldest one. The price for the biggest boat went to SY Eleuthera, a Fountaine Pajot 60, from New Zealand, and for SY Kiah as the smallest boat,an Island Packet 380. The price was shared with SY Meander. The youngest captain was Jonas from SY Felicia av Stockholm (1975) and the oldest captain Chris Evans (1949), from SY Ari. The very special price, the “ Spirit of the Viking Explorers” went to SY Eleuthera, from New Zealand, whose crew made many good friends within the rally and had built up a strong camaraderie with all of them. , in the true ethos of this rally. A special award was also given to Dr. Howard Dryden and Diana Duncan from SY Copepod for their project GOES, having performed a research of plankton where 12 boats took part during the crossing.
A very emotional moment came at the end of the presentation, when the video of the Viking Explorers 2022 with all the memories since this fleet got together months ago got shown on screen. After that, the traditional Steel Pan Band “New Dimensions” performed while participants enjoyed the evening and the never ending rum.
Zara Tremlett, Marina Manager at Port Louis Marina comments,
“It is a huge team effort to arrange the logistics of the rallies and regattas coming in to Grenada. I am so please that Port Louis Marina can assist and help bring sailors to the island each year. It is a huge achievement to cross the Atlantic and I know many happy memories are made in the marina and on the island after. It is a pleasure to be a part of this!”
The rally Viking Explorers has been so far a tremendous success with this year´s event being indeed a very special one due to the Pandemic. The organization has had a big support by many, where everyone has contributed to the success, adapting to the continuous changing health protocols. Also a big challenge for the participants to first reach the Canary Islands and then getting ready under constant health protocol changes.
The concept of Viking Explorers seems to be liked by real cruisers wanting to cross the social way, in a smaller group, as they call themselves “The Friendly Family” and the organizers are looking already into the 6th edition with already 18 confirmed entries and many on the preliminary list.
To book a berth at Port Louis Marina, click here.