The inaugural Sookany Trophy delivered on its promises at Ramena. Sailing, culture and maritime heritage marked the event in Antsiranana. The arrival of the dhow Diana, which took first place, thrilled the Ramena population as the crew is well-known in the village.
After three days of competition, the first edition of the Sookany Trophy, organized on Ramena beach, concluded last Sunday in a festive atmosphere. Between maritime tradition, sporting performance and tourism ambitions, Antsiranana offered a spectacle worthy of its bay's reputation. The event ended on a note of success.
This major sailing dhow regatta, continuing the legacy of the former "Bangra" festival, transformed the bay into a vast celebration space where sport, culture and development sailed in the same wake. For three days, the event brought together residents of Ramena and surrounding localities, as well as numerous Malagasy and foreign visitors, in an atmosphere that was simultaneously sporting, festive and cultural. It revived a maritime tradition deeply rooted in the history of Ramena Bay and reminded us that, for generations, wind and sea have shaped the lives of coastal communities in northern Madagascar.
Cultural entertainment surrounded the regatta. Traditional rhythms resonated on the beach, dances brought together young and old, while visitors discovered the riches of local heritage.
From the early hours of the first day, Ramena transformed. Streets came alive, merchants set up their stalls, families and visitors converged on the beach. Conversations mingled with the sound of waves and the rhythm of wind. Children ran on the sand while elders watched, with a certain pride, the majestic dhows preparing to set sail.
Through the preliminaries, only fifteen of the thirty-nine dhows initially entered in the competition secured their place in the final. From the first light of day, the coast of the mythical Ramena beach came alive again. On the beach, crews made final adjustments to their dhows. The sails, still slack, awaited the breath of wind that would soon decide the fate of the finalists. Sailors exchanged a few words in hushed tones while families and supporters, already numerous, settled along the shore. The atmosphere was electric.
In the bay, silence lasted only moments. Tension was palpable as the vessels aligned one last time on the starting line. The colorful sails of the dhows stood out against the horizon while hundreds of spectators held their breath. Following a spectacular competition, the Sookany Trophy delivered its verdict. More than just a simple regatta, this first edition, organized by Koezy Company, revealed the full potential of a maritime heritage capable of becoming an engine for economic and tourism development in the Diana region.
After the starting signal, white sails bearing the logos and emblems of partners filled with the trade winds, locally called "Varatraza". The final was thrilling, accompanied by applause and encouragement from the public. The vessels then launched, gliding elegantly on the calm waters of the world's second-largest natural bay, after Rio de Janeiro.
From the shore, applause erupted. Eyes followed the dhows slowly drawing their trajectories offshore, in a ballet where each change of direction required precision, experience and perfect knowledge of the winds. The dhow, guided by the "sookany" (wooden rudder), had only the sail to move forward or slow down. On the beach, encouragement sometimes drowned out the sound of waves. Each change of direction could swing the race.
After a hard-fought race, the dhow Diana-1, bearing the sail in the colors of BRED bank and commanded by the crew led by Jocelyn Botralahy, crossed the finish line first. Its mastery of navigation and perfect reading of the winds allowed it to win this first edition of the Sookany Trophy. The victory was rewarded with a first prize of ten million ariary, plus several gifts offered by event partners.
Beyond the nautical competition, this event distinguished itself with a rich program of cultural entertainment, contributing to the dynamism of local life. The event also generated significant economic and social benefits for the municipality, particularly for small merchants, street vendors, craftspeople and tourism actors. Food stalls were full. Vendors of drinks and grilled fish served the crowds.