What do you get when you combine socialites, competition for prizes from Cartier, a tropical isle, and a good cause? A really good time!

By Stephanie Wilson

Socialites are known, amongst other things, for their steadfast devotion to countless good causes. When it comes to lending their names, time, and dollars to events that have a “for the benefit of” attached, it seems that the ladies who lunch come out in droves.

The younger set of such women of the world cleared their normally cluttered schedules and headed south to the Turks & Caicos for the Princess Race, sponsored by glittering gemstone powerhouse Cartier. The event took place from Thursday, April 26 through Sunday, April 29, complete with friendly competitions that had the participating ladies vying for the grand prize: a Cartier watch.

Jet Lag Productions lent their good name to the weekend, which was a three-day adventure sporting event and charity fundraiser that let the lovely ladies show their athletic skills in a myriad of competitions that let the inner jousters shine through their polished princess exteriors.

Fabiola Beracasa, socialite extraordinaire, co-hosted the weekend. Contributions were raised from participants and guests for the benefit of Innocence in Danger, an organization that brings public attention to the plight of children who had been victims of trafficking and sexual abuse. Competitors included personality Tinsley Mortimer, actresses Carmen and Kiera Chaplin (granddaughters of Charlie Chaplin), Duchess Michele de Hasburg, Selima Salaun (owner of Selima Optique), Vanina Holasek (owner of Holasek Gallery), and Jaci Reid (host of the Hamptons’ VH1 Save the Music), amongst others.

The weekend began with the princesses being shuttled from Manhattan to Turks & Caicos via Florida. Upon arrival on the tropical isle, the ladies checked into the grand suites at Grace Bay Club, located on Grace Bay beach, recently honored as “Resort of the Year” by Island Destinations. A welcoming evening allowed the girls to get to know each other before retiring to their respective domains to get some much needed rest for the grueling days ahead.

The Princess Race began early the next morning with sea kayaking around a series of buoys with the fastest group taking home the points. The next competition had the ladies showing how low they could go, as they competed to see who could grab flags planted at various depths beneath the water’s surface. The winners dove more than thirty feet! Day two began with a Jet Ski race, followed by a beach volleyball tourney that let the girls get down and dirty in the sand. Golfing rounded out the weekend’s activities.

After days of exhausting competition, Annelise Peterson and Triana Trujillo emerged victorious, claiming the coveted Cartier timepieces. “Those who settle for second place do not know what it feels like to win, especially when a Cartier is involved! But a positive attitude and great friends are the best part of the process,” said Annelise. The duo, both of whom work for Valentino (“I am a working princess,” laughs Annelise), credited their success on their great teamwork, and ability to encourage each other throughout the competition. Jill Marshall and Karin Greve came in at a close second, and were awarded a weeklong stay at the Alexandra Resort in Providenciales courtesy of Prestigious Properties. Karin Greve was also awarded a bottle of Cartier Champagne for being the “Sweetest Princess” during the friendly competition.

Cartier ensured that no contestant walked away empty handed, creating a Cartier Charity “Love” bracelet for each participant, which is a mini 18kt rose gold bracelet engraved with the word love, placed on a delicate pink silk cord. In spirit of the weekend, Cartier donated $100 for each bracelet presented to the Innocence in Danger charity.
Annelise was honored and excited to be a part of such an event. “It was really fun to take a group of friends outside of the whole New York hustle and bustle, and be in a place where we can really get to know each other,” she says. But she warned to not let the Princess title fool you. “The idea of it being called a Princess Race was a little disconcerting, because I am definitely not a princess who is afraid to get dirty. But the idea of women coming together, competing, and concentrating was wonderful. It was fashionable women willing to go out there, have fun together, and play hard, and I thought it was a great idea. I feel very privileged to be included in the group.”

The Princess Race is taking its good cause and heading out to the Hamptons this August, where the sparkling socialites will have the opportunity to compete in their native kingdoms.