The spirit of adventure and innovation
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Disasters bring out the best and, occasionally,
the worst in mankind. We saw both after the
devastating effects of hurricanes Irma and
Maria on the Leeward Islands in September.
Lawlessness rapidly ensued in parts of
St Maarten, yet most communities quickly
rallied. Hotels cooked food to help those whose
homes had been destroyed, local businesses
drew together, neighbours helped and
sheltered one another.
Staff at Nanny Cay Marina in Tortola in the
British Virgin Islands quickly regrouped and
made this an access point for a Royal Marines
relief effort and others. They cleared damaged
boats and made water supplies available.
In Antigua, local sailor and businessman
Carlo Falcone and his son Shaun, together with
America’s Cup tactician Chris Draper and a
team from Antigua Yacht Club Marina were in
the vanguard to get fi rst responders and
supplies to Barbuda. Trinidadian sailors
clubbed together to deliver supplies and aid to
Dominica. These are a few of many examples.
It will be a long time before these
communities are back to where they were, but
the islands are emphasising that they will be
open for business this winter. They need that
business more than ever. If
you are there this season or
next, don’t miss those
places where your visit can
make a real contribution.Elaine Bunting Editor
Twitter @elainebuntingIN A time of need
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Congratulations to Ellen MacArthur Cancer
Trust, whose skippers and crew of young
people recovering from cancer have sailed
all the way round Britain in the Trust’s 44ft
yacht Moonspray.
Some 125 people
took part in the
2,206-mile
voyage, split over
17 legs. See our
feature next
month.Our test editor, Toby Hodges, has been sailing one of the
most eagerly awaited new production yachts in years, the
foil-equipped Figaro 3 monohull. The new Beneteau,
developed with designers VPLP, is on the shortlist for
European Yacht of the Year and you can see it at the big
autumn and winter shows.What will happen to the Volvo
Ocean Race now that CEO Mark
Turner has gone (see page 10)? He
has been instrumental in
changing the direction and
popularity of sailing. It’s a great
shame they have pulled the plug.Peter Phipp/ travel shots.com / Alamy