KATS Presented Sportsmanship Award
For International Rolex Regatta

Having sailed very well against 19 of the best sailors in the highly competitive IC 24 class in the 2006 International Rolex Regatta at St. Thomas U.S.V.I the weekend of March 24 through the 26th, the team returned back to their home in the BVI's directly after the finish of the final race Sunday. The team had a deadline to meet on the return to the BVI's having to tow the race boat, support boat, with the  "mother ship" Yacht Tarawana back to the sailing base in Sopers Hole, Tortola before sundown to avoid the many reefs between St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands.
 
Having reached home, the team, coach, and sailing director, all had a great feeling of accomplishment over the weekend. It wasn't until the following day that the coach and director learned that the team was applauded in their absence by all of the racers at the awards presentation at St. Thomas. Learning of the situation, the yacht club was contacted, and the founder of the KATS program Mr. Tom Gerker took it upon himself to fly to St.Thomas to collect the "perpetual" trophy, which in strict yachting tradition never leaves the holding club.
 
St. Thomas Yacht Club was gracious enough to part with the trophy so it could be presented to Team Tortola, at the BVI Spring Regatta opening ceremonies tonight. The BVI Spring Regatta is one of the premier regattas in the Caribbean, which draws sailors from all parts of the world, hosted by the Royal British Virgin Islands Yacht Club.
 
Team Tortola sailors had no idea that they were picked by the judges of the event over 93 other competing yachts in the Rolex until tonight when they were hailed to the stage and were presented the Sportsmanship Award by the original donor of the trophy, Mr. Richard Woolridge, who is also the builder of the IC 24 class yachts, and makes Tortola his home.
 
The KATS program would like to thank both yacht clubs for their support, and all of the other volunteers and donators to the program, to allow the opportunity for the young boys and girls of the BVI's to learn about the sea and ultimately race in world class regattas.

International Rolex Regatta
Sportsmanship Trophy