Forty-five years and counting

Playmobil arriving at Isla Mujeres 500 nautical mile trip

Sails neatly stowed, as the skipper prepared to berth the Playmobil at the docks, three efficient deck hands secured boat fenders to metal cleats, working quickly and smoothly.  They have done this before – a time or two.  Another sailboat had successfully completed the five hundred nautical-mile Regata del Sol al Sol race. 

Forty-five years ago Past President of Mexico Miguel Aleman Valdez and his good friend Don Jose Jesus de Lima envisioned boosting tourism to the Caribbean side of Mexico by creating several sailing regattas.  

Don Esteban Lima Zuno - organizer

They chose American cities of New Orleans, Pensacola, St. Petersburg and Naples, and Mexican locations of Veracruz, Isla Mujeres, Progresso, and Cozumel.  Valdez and Lima lobbied Cuban President Fidel Castro to allow the American sailboats safe passage through Cuban territorial waters.  

The Regata del Sol al Sol is said to be the longest consecutively run international regatta in sailing history.

The island contingent of the race committee, headed by Don Esteban Lima Zuno and his family members, are instrumental in keeping this regatta fun and lively.  A number of the skippers have participated for upwards of twenty-five years.  One of the committee members is always on hand to greet the arriving participants, and ensure their smooth easy entrance into Mexico.  

Smiling officials greeting arriving boats

At the Ballyhoo docks smiling immigration and customs officials meet the captains, helping with the necessary paperwork, extending a warm island welcome.  

It would seem that the only time there was a problem was in 2012 when the skippers were required to clear customs and immigration in Cancun. 

The winning score: 29 Amigos, 28 Gringos

After dinner on Wednesday night we wandered over to the basketball courts to watch the annual match-up of our island team, the Amigos, versus the crewmembers’ the Gringos.  

It’s a wild, crazy and fun-filled game.  In the dying seconds of the game the Amigos squeaked by with another win: 29 to 28.  

That makes forty-two wins for the Amigos, and only two wins the Gringos.  High-five’s and laughter all around as the players congratulated each other, happily swapping sweaty t-shirts as souvenirs.

Laughter and high-fives for another good game!

But the real highlight for most of the participants is the children’s sailing event on Friday morning.  Stuffed to capacity with island youngsters the boats circumnavigate Isla Mujeres.  Squeals of laughter can be heard floating across the calm seas, creating indelible memories.

The Regata del Sol al Sol was created long before we came to the island, and will hopefully be sailing this course long after we are gone. 

http://www.regatadelsolalsol.org/

Hasta Luego          
Lynda and Lawrie

There's playing with, and then there's toying with .....

Gringos vs Amigos  44th year of Sol del Sol Regatta

The basketball spun through the air, swishing perfectly into the net.  Two points!

Before the ball had even completed its arc the Amigos team members were racing back down the court, confident in the outcome of the toss. 

The Gringos, the American sailors participating in the traditional Sol del Sol Sailing Regatta, and the Amigos, the local guys, have had this matchup many times before.

The Gringos have won this event only twice ....

At the beginning of the game when the organizers were being introduced, the announcer said in perfect English: "The Gringos have won this event twice.  Once in the last century.  And once in this century."  

A slight exaggeration, but basically true.  They have won only twice in forty-four years.

The Amigos, good-naturedly toyed with the opposing team like Harlem Globe Trotters teasing a high school team. 



Amigos toying with the Gringos



They passed to their teammates without even glancing at the intended recipient, secure in the knowledge the player would be in position. 

They sunk baskets without looking, occasionally flipping them backhand into the net.  Granted, they have a slight advantage in that most of the Amigos team members have played together several times for this annual Encuentro Amiso de Basquetbol.

At half-time the Gringos plotted to even up their chances by plying their opponents with free beer.  It didn't help. 

The local guys laughingly took the beers, and then drank water, lots of water to re-hydrate.     



One of the regular Amigo team members



Even with the energetic cheering of the assorted yacht owners and the stylish cheerleaders - in the end the outcome was the same;  Gringos 28 and Amigos 42.

Gringo cheering section

The lively game, and good-natured ribbing between the players was most enjoyable.  Sitting in amongst the various yacht owners, Lawrie and I, plus Brent Krausar were cheering for the home team. 

The Sol del Sol Regatta features sail boats that chart a course from Florida, then sail close to the western tip of Cuba, finally docking at Isla Mujeres.

Approximate course for Sol del Sol Regatta

This year there were a few changes to the Mexican Customs registration and check-in, causing major frustration amongst the yachters. 

Hopefully by race time in 2013 that will be sorted out. 

This event brings to the island a great group of people who are a financial boon to the local economy.  

Traditional sweaty t-shirt exchange!