Racing Around the Islands

Racing in the St. Croix International Regatta. Dave Barnes Photo.

The 20^th Anniversary St. Croix International Regatta, held out of the St. Croix Yacht Club on the U.S. Virgin Island, will be held a month later than usual, from March 9-11, with the same signature prize of the winning skipper’s weight in Cruzan rum. Also new is more distance racing, says race committee chair, Jim Kloss. “We’ll introduce the new ‘Hook’ race around Point Udall, the easternmost point of the United States.” The ‘Island Challenge’ is yet a third first-time change. Visiting sailors simply record their elapsed time from departure to arrival at the Coakley Bay marker off the island’s north shore, and the yachts reporting the fastest passage on corrected time will have their registration fees refunded. For information, call (340) 690-7317; scycregattadirector@gmail.com; or visit stcroixyc.com.

Ten straight days of racing 

Competitive sailors seeking maximum racing bang for their vacation-time buck should book themselves a flight to the Virgin Islands in March. Race, cruise and even match race during a 10-day stretch that starts with the 39^th annual International Rolex Regatta (IRR) hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club March 23-25, and finishes up with the 41^st Annual B.V.I. Spring Regatta (BVISR) out of Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola, which concludes April 1^st.

Even those who don’t own a yacht won’t be left on shore this year at the IRR. Crew and charter opportunities abound. For example, women are welcome to sail with the U.K.’s Captain Annie O’Sullivan on her Elan 37, Diamonds are Forever, under her Girls For Sail race-charter program. O’Sullivan is also booked to race in the B.V.I. too, which makes it perfect for those who want to sail the back-to-back regattas on the same yacht. Gals and guys who want an adrenalin-pumping experience can sign on to crew aboard the Open 60 Le Pingouin, which won the Velux 5 Oceans Race. A Beneteau 36, Farr 40 or 65, and several IC-24s are available for charter as well.

There are five ways to sail and win in the B.V.I. The Sailing Festival, March 26-29, features a round-trip sail for racing and cruising classes up to the Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC) in Virgin Gorda. Sailors can race the BEYC’s Hobie Waves and Getaways in the Sailing Festival’s lay-day Nation’s Cup Challenge. Jump aboard IC-24s for the Gill B.V.I. International Match Racing Championship, March 28-29. The traditional BVISR sets sail March 30-April 1. Finally, the third annual International Yacht Club Challenge will take place during the BVISR in one-design Sunsail yachts. For more information, visit: rolexcupregatta.com or bvispringregatta.org.

New web-based Antigua &
Barbuda Marine Guide

Headed to Antigua Classic Regatta or Antigua Sailing Week in April? Go to antiguamarineguide.com. You can now research your visit on the Internet via an online version of the Antigua & Barbuda Marine Guide.

A record 60 yachts, including the 183-foot Andre Hoek-designed schooner, Athos, are expected to set sail in the 25^th Antigua Classic Regatta, set for April 15-20.