Tahiti Pearl Regatta - Preview

All set for the Tahiti Pearl Regatta © Tahiti Pearl Regatta

Warm up

Things get serious tomorrow with a warm up race scheduled early in the afternoon, that will take all 38 entrants to a 7 mile inshore lagoon race. The trade winds have been steady and strong every day since the beginning of the week and all 250 international sailors should get a good taste of what sailing in Tahiti is like. Calm waters, esmerald sea, breathtaking views... and some tricky coursse for those not familiar with coral reefs. Beside the passes of the lagoons, every one here agrees that sailing in French Polynesia offers no major navigational challenges. It really is all about fun and enjoying the wonderful landscape.

Trade winds

In Polynesia, the dominant winds blow from the east, with a northerly touch between novembre and march, with speeds between 5 to 15 knots. The dry season is between the month of April and October and the trade winds take an more south easterly course. The Tahitians called it Mara'amu and it has a very "Mistral " look, with gusts up to 40 knots. The Mara'amu can blow for several days. Another peculiar thing in French Polynesia is the tidal range. Fench Polynesia is known for its Amphidromic point, where tides have no lunar influence, only solar influence, with high tides at noon and midnight every day.

The tahiti Pearl regatta competitors will also keep an eye on Venturi effects caused by the high mountains, some of reach measure over 1 000 meters.

Program

At sea

Wednesday May 16th – Uturoa (Raiatea)
15h training race (7 MN)

Thursday May 17th - Races 1 & 2
8h30 Raiatea > Bora Bora (27,3 MN)
14h30 Bora Bora Banana (4,5 MN)

Friday May 18th - Race 3
8h30 Bora Bora > Taha'a (21,8 MN)

Saturday May 19th- race 4 & 5
8h30 Raiatea Banana (5,7 MN)
12h30 Tour de Taha'a (19 MN)

On land

Thursday May 17th, Hollywood party
Hôtel le Méridien, Bora Bora

Friday May 18th, polynesian night
Motu Céran, Taha'a

Saturday May 19th Crew party
Motu Pearl Village, Taha'a
Cocktail, Price giving ceremony, meal, crew parade, concerts by Raiatea Connection & Playful Robots, No Moon Party...

www.tahitipearlregatta.org.pf