Pineapple Cup Montego Bay Race: Montego Bay Attractions, Jamaica

In its 39^th year, this event has continuously attracted yachts from around the world. The event is a true test of the skills of yachtsmen worldwide and covers 811 nautical miles, passing through the Bahamas and the Windward Passage. Starting at Port Everglades Inlet, Fort Lauderdale, the racers traverse a course with varying conditions to arrive in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Prizes include the beautiful Swarovski Crystal Pineapple Keepers' Trophy, the Silver Seahorse Trophy in the IMS division and the Arawak Trophy in the PHRF. The record to beat was set in 1971, that of three days, three hours, forty minutes and seven seconds. This was won by SV 'Windward Passage.' It all promises to be great fun. Entry forms are available online.

Pineapple Cup – Montego Bay Race - February 6, 2009

The Pineapple Cup has long been an ocean racing classic. The race started in 1961 and has run either annually or biannually ever since. Past winners are a Who's Who of ocean skippers and yacht names. Ted Turner won three times in Vamoose ('67), Lightnin ('73) and Tenacious ('79); the Johnson family won in Ticonderoga ('65); John Kilroy won twice in Kialoa ('75 & '77); and Jack King won in Merrythought ('91).

Past competitors claiming line honors include Sir Peter Blake on Condor ('79), Larry Ellison on Sayonora ('97) and Roy Disney on Pyewacket ('99). Other notable past entrants include the venerable yacht Windward Passage, which maintained the overall elapsed time record from 1969 to 2003. Steve Fossett also made a run in the 90^s at the overall race record in the catamaran Lakota.

The Pineapple Cup

Immediately after the start, the racers cross the Gulf Stream for the Northwest Providence Channel. The middle of the race usually offers a fetch down the eastern side of the Bahamas Island Chain towards the tip of Cuba. The final stretch is a sailor's dream: a 240 mile downwind sleigh ride from Cuba's eastern tip, known as Windward Passage, to the finish at Montego Bay. Typical 20–plus–knot aft trade winds and rolling, following seas push the racers downhill into the sunset toward the finish, where they're greeted at the finish line with the traditional case of Jamaica's finest Red Stripe beer.

Tourist Attraction Montego Bay - Place of interest to visit on your Jamaica Holiday

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