February and March are very busy months in the BVI for sailing regattas hosted by various yacht clubs and organizations. February 16th to the 18th are the dates for two events held at the west end of Tortola with the West End Yacht Club doing the race committee work and the Jolly Roger restaurant and inn providing great bbq and entertainment over the weekend.

The first event is the 25th Annual Classic Yacht Regatta, open to any size yacht with an age of over 20 years, wood or fiberglass. Running concurrently with the Classics, is the 29th Annual Sweethearts of the Caribbean. Those entries will be comprised of wooden schooners and classics, and the ever favorite couples race. If you can't do the regatta, but can make it to the Jolly Roger for the races, it's a great place on the water to spectate! For more information on the racing contact mvh@surfbvi.com.

February 17 and 18th is also the weekend for the BVI Women's Regatta hosted by the Royal BVI Yacht Club in Road Town. Ladies from all over the Caribbean are expected to attend with the Lasers being the boat to be sailed. Columbian Emeralds, a local jewelry shop is the sponsor again this year, and always has exquisite pieces to hand out to the top finishers. For more information on the women's regatta, contact rbviyc@rbviyc.com.

March brings in some mix of racing with the race from Tortola to Anegada, aptly called the 9th Annual Dark and Stormy Race after a favorite cocktail here in the BVI. All yachts are welcome, and what better place to sail to than the "drowned island" with the Soares family waiting to welcome you to their island paradise. Once there, all types of events are scheduled including the international horseshoe championships, kite flying and sand castle building for the kids. The return race finishes at the Jolly Roger for sun and fun. The dates are March 10th for the start, the 11th being the fun day on Anegada and the 12th is the start of the return race. For more information contact mvh@surfbvi.com. Don't miss this one!

Mark your calendars for the premiere regatta in the Caribbean for March 26th through the 1st of April when the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival at Nanny Cay gets underway. Hundreds of yachts and thousands of sailors converge on the venue for what many call the best regatta in the Caribbean. Classes include Maxi's down to beach cats with the always well-attended bareboat class. Loads of shore side activities to go along with the racing with local bands playing every night, and restaurant vendors set up in tents along the beach serving up a host of different dishes. The regatta is organized and run by the BVI Spring Regatta organization with the Royal BVI hosting the beverage tent. For more information contact info@bvispringregatta.com.

If you would like more information BVI regattas go to http://www.escape-bvi.com/Regattas.aspx