SANTO DOMINGO.- With the announced bi-annual Casa de Campo Race in February, 2009, promoters say a new sailboat distance racing tradition is born. The race to the West Indies will start February 13 from Fort Lauderdale and finish in the exclusive resort, in La Romana (east), the Web site www.sail-world.com reports.

“Casa De Campo, popular to golfers around the world for its acclaimed Pete Dye courses, will showcase their new 370 slip marina, the most complete and prestigious in the Caribbean. The International Farr 40 class recently announced that they will have their Rolex World Championship there in 2010,” it said.

The sailboats in the race, to cover a distance of 900 miles, will skirt the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and then head to Dominican Republic’s eastern tip, before turning south for the run to the finish, sail-world.com said.

“A unique welcome to each and every boat headlines a long list of dividends for participants. A gala awards party, access to the top ranked golf course in the Caribbean and 2 days of windward/leeward racing for the Casa de Campo Cup are included in this exciting package,” adds the report

The destination’s appeal would attract a “meaningful” fleet, said Storm Trysail Commodore John Fisher. “Casa de Campo is committed to making this a special experience for all who participate.”