The Cruising Rally Association has just announced that Nanny Cay Resort and Marina, BVI's flagship marina, will be the Caribbean Host Marina for its sailing events. Cruising Rally Association's first event to be hosted by Nanny Cay will be the Atlantic Cup Rally on May 3, 2009. The rally will be departing from the Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola, and finishing in Bermuda 4-5 days later. The Atlantic Cup Rally is the companion to November's Caribbean 1500. Pre-start festivities and skipper briefings will begin on May 1 at Nanny Cay.

In response to becoming the Caribbean Host Marina for the Cruising Rally Association, Miles Sutherland-Pilch, general manager of Nanny Cay said, "We are very pleased to be part of the Cruising Rally Association events. The fact that we are attracting high quality events shows that we are creating a world-class marina here in the British Virgin Islands. We're extremely well suited to attend to the needs of the skippers, crew and guests associated with these events."

"Nanny Cay, with its marina, hotel and boatyard offers a broad range of facilities, services and amenities that will be popular with our Atlantic Cup and Caribbean 1500 participants. This will be the 20th year of the Caribbean 1500 and we believe that Nanny Cay will be a particularly fine place to celebrate," said Steve Black.

Located between Road Town and West End on Tortola, Nanny Cay Resort and Marina is a fully equipped marina and boat repair facility which has berths for 180 motor cruisers and yachts and two boatlifts of 50 and 70 tons capacity. Also included is a 40-room hotel and new waterfront townhouses for purchase and rental, two restaurants, a chandlery, a small supermarket, shops and boutiques, a dive shop, a water sports center, free WiFi service, a gym and spa.

For full information on future Cruising Rally Association events, visit www.carib1500.com.

BBQ at the Loose Mongoose, Beef Island BVI

The Dark and Stormy race from Trellis Bay, Beef Island to Anegada got off to a record breaking start with the entries totaling thirty-two yachts. The great pre-race BBQ at the Loose Mongoose on the evening of March 9th saw people lined up at the Loyal West End Yacht Club's registration table with a skipper's meeting held the next morning of race day. Commodore and race chairman Martin Van Houten was ecstatic with the turnout saying, "The regatta has steadily grown over the years, and we have six entries more this year than last year"! Martin handed out the course charts and made sure that everyone was well aware that the Dogs were part of the course and "all the little doggy bits" were to be taken to port before cracking off for the race to the finish at the entrance to Neptune's Treasure, in Anegada.

On a reach to Anegada
Dark And Stormy Regatta 2007

I had the pleasure of racing on the catamaran Kuralu who has made every Dark and Stormy Race since its inception ten years ago. Along with a crew of eleven, plus two rather large dogs, we were set to race once again with Captain Robin Pinfold at the helm who enjoys his racing, but also likes to have fun and have a good time! Race day was perfect with winds coming out of the east at about 15 to 18 knots with a slight chop. The fleet had been split into half to accommodate the boats on the starting line with the under forty footers taking off first and the larger boats to follow five minutes later. We found that short tacking around Scrub Island and all the Dogs paid off for us, keeping out of the current in Drakes channel as best we could. The wind lightened up to about two knots trying to get around the last Dog, as there was a shift to the south that filled in nicely once getting past Seal Dog. After the rounding, the breeze piped up again and made for a great close reach to the finish.

Relaxing at the Beach
Cows Wreck Country Club, Anegada

Once ashore at Neptune's Treasure, all were warmly greeted by the Soares family who were the hosts and one of the sponsors for this great race. Bars were set up with snacks served up, not to mention the smoked fish dip provided by Marty of the yacht Ruffian who was one of the early pioneers of the race. The setting sun brought the band out who played well into the night and could be heard all throughout the anchorage.

Sunday morning came quickly with a big day ahead of the racers with the hotly contested horseshoe tournament, sand castle building contest for the kids, and the ever-popular dinghy race held in the shallows of the anchorage. From there, the crowd split up, some going to the Big Banana for a late lunch at Loblolly Bay, and then filtered down to Cow Wreck Beach to finish off a glorious afternoon swimming in the tranquil waters.

Preparing for Dinner
Neptunes Treasure, Anegada

Once back at the race headquarters, dinner was served with lobster and all of the fresh fish that the Soares family takes pride in catching and serving. Another note that day was the meeting of three old friends that had molded businesses back in the early sixties in the BVI. Vern Soares, Foxy from Jost Van Dyke, and Tony Snell from the Last Resort in Trellis Bay sat for hours and chatted about the old days and the not so distant past.

The return race on Monday was slated to have winds out of the northeast but alas; they never materialized, causing the race committee to abandon the race about two hours after the start. The deadline for the finish at five o'clock wasn't going to be made by anyone even with a shortened course at Sandy Cay. So off it was to the awards at the Jolly Roger where there were of course more festivities with food and live music. Many racers that have done the Dark and Stormy Race over the years applauded the organizers and sponsors for such a well-organized and fun event. See you next year!

Results
First – Rainbow Maker U.S.V.I.
Second - Hotel California BVI
Third – Apsara
Fourth – Wildfire BVI
Fifth – Moab BVI

BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival

The BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival kicks off on the evening of March 26th with the registration for the regatta at the Nanny Cay Marina. The following day is the ever-favorite Sailing Festival up to the Bitter End Yacht Club in Gorda Sound, Virgin Gorda.
 
March 27th is the lay day beach fun at Bitter End Yacht Club. Compete in the morning and afternoon dinghy regattas in the Laser and Hobie Wave fleets, and represent your country in the fifth-annual Nations' Challenge Cup.  Water sports activities include snorkel trips, a windsurfing rally, and an excursion to Anegada. Those that just want to lay back for the day; you will be able to relax on Bitter End's beaches or by the pool. Awards for dinghy regattas and Nations' Challenge Cup will be presented in the evening with a cookout and party at the Quarterdeck Club & Pub.
 
March 28 marks the end of the Sailing Festival with the course starting at Gorda Sound, and finishing at Nanny Cay. The winner takes home the Nanny Cay Cup. Registration and welcome party takes place in the evening, and then the real fun begins the following day with the start of the 34th Annual Spring Regatta. Three different courses are going to be utilized for the Regatta. Norman Island courses will include the non-spinnaker classes, along with the charter boat classes. Further, up Drakes Channel, the courses will be laid out for the big boats carrying spinnakers near Cooper Island. The inshore classes will be sailing just to the east of Nanny Cay, near Sea Cows Bay.

The Regatta Village will be open every day from 4pm till midnight starting on March 30th and closing the evening of April 1st, with the awards being given out to the winners and runners up in each class. At the Regatta Village, the racers and racer chasers can enjoy live music, the food tents, and a very large bar!

For more information on go to BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival 2007.

IC 24 Nanny Cay Nations Cup Regatta
Tortola BVI

Light winds prevailed over the IC 24 Nanny Cay Nations Cup regatta held November 11th and 12th. Saturday was especially tricky with wind shifts shaking up the fleet as they battled for positions on the opening day of the regatta. The regatta had a record number of entries this year, with fourteen teams representing nine countries, sailing a total of twenty races over the weekend in ten flights. Nanny Cay, Tortola was the event venue offering excellent viewing of the racing just off the beach, with the Royal BVI Yacht Club providing barbeque lunches and refreshments. Richard Woolridge from Racing in Paradise was calling the racing action over the loudspeaker system all through the event giving live updates and race standings as the weekend racing progressed. Excellent race committee work by Chris Haycraft also from Racing in Paradise, adjusting the course to the shifty breeze.

BEYC Team USA

Team BVI, with the Hirst brothers exchanging the helm from race to race showed excellent boat speed and tactics throughout the first day, taking a good lead in the fleet standings going into the afternoon with a total of eleven points. Team Holland followed closely with some good races totaling fifteen points, and team U.S.V.I. holding third place with twenty points.

Sunday's racing was a little better with the winds still light but far less shifty than the previous day. Team BVI just wouldn't let up the pressure on the fleet for the entire day, showing their transom to the other competitors most of the day. The rest of the fleet mixed up their standings by the end of the day with team Holland having some off the pace races, causing them to let their second place standing from the day before dwindle away. Team St. Martin stepped up their boat handling with a pair of bullets in Sunday's first two races. Team U.S.V.I. also had a good showing in flight 8 of the regatta pulling in a first and second place finish, helping to keep them in contention. In the end though, Team BVI dominated the fleet with nothing worse than a third place finish over the entire weekend.

Winning Crew For The Cup - Team BVI
Robbie and Mike Hirst/Colin Rathbun

An interesting antic on John Holmbergs team U.S.A. boat in the third race on Sunday found two crew members going overboard on a light wind roll tack when a lifeline fitting let go and in they went! John managed to retrieve his crew and finish the race but couldn't quite catch up to where he was when the incident happened. He was allowed to apply for redress though, as all of the IC 24's were considered as "chartered" boats sailing in a round robin profile. Team Barbados harnessed in the award for the best effort and vowed to return next year with some practice under their belt.

All in all the entire regatta was an outstanding success and was highly touted as a must do regatta next year by all of the visiting countries.

Nation Cup Final Results

1. BVI, Robbie and Mike Hirst/Colin Rathbun (17 points)
2. St. Martin, Simon Manly (27 points)
3. USVI, Chris Curreri (28 points)
4. The Beefeaters (England), Mike Masters/Robin Tattersall, (30 points)
5. Holland, Frits Bus (32 points)
6. ORION (PR), Fraito Lugo (35 points)
7. St George (England) Andrew Waters (37 points)
8. Canada, Andrew Watters (40 points)
9. BEYC (USA), John Holmberg (44 points)
10. Urayo (PR), Gilberto Rivera (46 points)
11. HIHO (USA), Andy Morrell (48 points)
12. Nanny Cay Expats (UK), Steve Roose (55 points)
13. Ireland, Sandra Dillion (61 points)
14. Barbados, Peter Armstrong (67 points)

Competitors sailing in the 9th annual Cat Fight Regatta found fresh 15 to 20 knot breezes for the one day event October 28th. Registration the night before had five cats sign up at the prerace party at Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke followed up with Foxy's famous barbeque and live music. The five boat fleet was divided into two classes, over 40 feet and under 40 feet. Unbeknown to the racers that were started by the sponsoring Loyal West End Yacht Club, using the inverted start system according to handicap was that there was not going to be an overall winner of the races, only class winners.

The boats fought their way around the two race course with Rainbow Rider, skippered by Mike Fallis of Bear Cat Charters at the helm, crossing the finish line first in each race. As it turned out, Rainbow Rider was the only cat in their class but they raced hard as if they were going for the Gold! The first race was started just outside Great Harbour and the racers sailed a triangular course upwind to a buoy set to the south of Sandy Cay then a tight reach around Sandy Cay to port, with a down wind run to the finish. The race committee sent the cats on a longer second race taking Sandy Cay to starboard, turning down to the cut at Sopers Hole on Tortola, rounding Great Thatch and back upwind to the set mark and then to the finish. The set mark had a problem holding air and was found to be barely above water as the racers made there rounding making for an interesting navigational issue.

The awards party was in the usual W.E.Y.C. tradition where every boat is a winner with gift certificates given out to each cat. A special "badest cat" award was given to the yacht Sanctuary in the way of a case of Pusser's Rum. After the Cat Fight Regatta, the evening brought on the Halloween Ball at Foxy's with crews dressed up in some very unique costumes. Dancing to the live band went into the wee hours of the spooky night where all had a great time. Even though the turnout for the regatta was a little light this year the Halloween Ball was jam-packed with crews and onlookers.

RESULTS
Over 40' Class	1st place	Rainbow Rider
Under 40' Class	1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th  place	Scubadu Aristocat II Tabascocat Sanctuary

Smugglers Cove
British Virgin Islands

Escape BVI is proud to announce the 1st Annual Escape BVI Regatta, to be held at Smugglers Cove, Tortola, on May 13, 2006. The format for the regatta combines all of the sailing organizations throughout the BVI's as participants in some capacity, bringing instructors and volunteers together to make the regatta a true community effort in sailing venues. Other sponsors of the regatta, all from Tortola, come from a wide spectrum of businesses, and Escape BVI is pleased to have their support and help with the 1st Annual Regatta.

The racing classes invited to the regatta include the single handed Laser class, the high speed windsurfers, and the most popular one design keel boat in the Caribbean - the IC 24's. Unique to the regatta is the IC 24 fleet using spinnakers, which is the first time in an organized around the buoys regatta. It should prove to be a challenge to the IC 24 crews, on the windward / leeward courses set just outside the point at Smugglers Cove.

The venue itself is very unique, being that the Regatta is the first one ever to be held in Smugglers Cove. An idyllic setting in crystal clear waters, a beautiful beach from which all of the competitors can literally wade through the waters to their boats, which will be moored close to the white sandy beach!

Onshore is the Smugglers Cove Beach Bar, also a main sponsor of the regatta, which is having a live band and  beach barbeque, offering the usual great snorkeling and many fun events going on all day long. One of the best things about the venue is the ability of the spectators on the beach to see yacht racing up close as many of the racers will be just a few hundred yards offshore showing the crowd their skills.

Don't miss this annual event! Sailor or not, everyone in attendance will be guaranteed a great time, and what better place to spend the day than at the number one beach on Tortola, Smugglers Cove!

For further information or to signup for the regatta go to: Escape BVI Regatta - Smugglers Cove

Sweethearts of the Caribbean Regatta
Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Feburary 11th & 12th on Tortola, British Virgin Islands, was another great sailing day for the twenty-eighth annual Sweethearts of the Caribbean Yacht race. The event was co-sponsored by the "Loyal" West Yacht Club and the Jolly Roger Restaurant and Inn, at the West End of Tortola, and was attended by hundreds of yacht racers and " yacht racer chasers".

Over 35 Yachts from thirteen feet to eighty three feet from the surrounding Caribbean islands and local British Virgin Islands, competed in several types of classes, with everyone going away a winner as the Yacht Club, in its long standing tradition and motto lived on as usual, "no one goes home empty handed when it comes to awards!" Another great sailing event, including late night parties and live bands, at the "heart beat" of Tortola, the West End.

Read the full article at:
28th Annual Sweethearts of the Caribbean Regatta
For more photos go to:
Escape BVI Photo Gallery