The bay of Antsiranana is hosting the first edition of the Sookany Trophy, a dhow regatta that honors traditional sailing while promoting maritime heritage and tourism.
While the bay of Antsiranana, known as the second-largest natural bay in the world, is already famous for international kitesurfing and windsurfing competitions, it is now preparing to write a new page in its maritime history with the launch of the first-ever Sookany Trophy regatta, highlighting traditional sailing. The event takes place over three days, from July 17 to 19, on the legendary Ramena beach.
According to Koezy Company, the main initiator of this nautical event, thirty-nine traditional dhows and nearly one hundred and fifty sailors will compete on a demanding course in the heart of the “Diego Bay” during this first edition. The festivities will begin with a grand nautical parade bringing together all the vessels in the waters of Ramena, a spectacle that will officially mark the opening of the competition.
More than just a sporting competition, the Sookany Trophy aims to promote the dhow, an iconic vessel of northern Madagascar and a symbol of the ancestral know-how of the Antsiranana maritime communities. In the northern dialect, “Sookany,” which means “rudder,” evokes mastery, leadership, and the ability to stay the course in the face of challenges—values that perfectly embody the spirit of this regatta.
The crews, composed mainly of fishermen, are divided into three groups of thirteen dhows. After the parade, a draw will determine the order of the groups. Each round, covering approximately 34 kilometers (18.6 nautical miles) and lasting about three hours, will qualify the top five dhows from each group for the final. The first group will compete this afternoon, while the other two will continue their races throughout Saturday.
While the first two days are dedicated to qualifying phases, the grand final, scheduled for Sunday, July 19, will bring together the fifteen qualified vessels. At the end, the top three crews will stand on the podium and receive the trophies of this first edition, which is intended to become a must-attend event on the Antsiranana nautical calendar. The stakes are particularly attractive, with the winner taking home a reward of ten million ariary.
Beyond the sporting competition, the event focuses on promoting maritime heritage, developing tourism, and boosting the local economy. Spectacular races, intense emotions, and an electric atmosphere await the general public at the heart of this great regatta.
Furthermore, the promoters wish to combine tradition, innovation, and territorial attractiveness. The event will also be a true popular festival, with cultural activities, contests highlighting local traditions (vakodrazana competitions), social actions, and health awareness campaigns for a thousand women (screening for female cancers). Regarding safety, each participating sailor will receive a life jacket.
According to Billy Geoffrey Gaspard, manager of Koezy Company and promoter of the Sookany Trophy, this nautical event is not limited to a race; the organization wants to make this dhow regatta an annual event that highlights a centuries-old maritime heritage.
“In a region historically turned towards the sea, the Sookany Trophy was born from a simple ambition: to give the sea back the place it deserves in Madagascar’s identity. Our goal is to make this regatta a regional, then national, reference, while promoting maritime heritage, the skills of sailors, and the exceptional tourist potential of the region, and above all, to generate economic benefits for local communities,” he explained.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-17 06:12:03 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/sookany-trophy-la-tradition-des-boutres.html