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

KATS compete in International Rolex Regatta
St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

The 2006 International Rolex Regatta, hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club in the U.S.V.I. had one of the clubs highest attendances in recent years. Racing conditions were ideal for all classes that ranged from 80' racing yachts to the ever-exciting beach cat fleet.

The IC 24 class had 19 entries, the largest number of boats that the class has ever had. Competitors from Europe, United States, Puerto Rico, St. Marteen, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands made up the highly competitive fleet.

Going into the final day of racing, the first place winning boat could have been any of the top four boats. Sailing in light winds tested the skills of the fleet, with Robbie Hirst and his crew dominating the final day and taking home to the BVI's, a Rolex Watch awarded to the winners of each class.

Entered in the International Rolex Regatta was Team Tortola, of the British Virgin Islands, sailed by seven of the KATS Sailing program kids, ranging from age 12 to 16, based at the West End of Tortola. The crew was up against some of the best sailors in the world and came in a very respectable 16th place, excellent, considering the level of talent that was on the course for the three days of intense racing.

As a volunteer and sailing instructor for the KATS Sailing program for many years in the BVI's, I was lucky enough to spend the four days with the kids during the regatta and watch them improve with every race. In the past 46 years of racing yachts, I have never seen a group of kids sail and conduct themselves both on and off the water, as true Yachtsmen, as they did.

Because of the timing to organize our return trip back to the BVI's, we could not attend the awards presentation, but this morning I was told by one of our fellow BVI competitors that the kids, sailing their IC 24, "CCT Boatphone KATS", had won the Sportsmanship award, which included all classes that had sailed in the Rolex Regatta.

In all my years of sailboat racing, I have found that the Sportsmanship Award is the most prestigious award in yachting, even above winning a regatta in the overall standings.

The Crew of CCT Boatphone KATS

Javan Cooper: 16 years old, is now into his 6th year in KATS Sailing. He is team Captain and has sailed in several Chief Ministers Cups, as well as local Regattas. He was at the helm during Rolex and had some good results in several races against some very serious competition in what is probably the toughest fleet, the IC 24s.

Jamie Bibby: 16 years old, has also been a KATS sail member for over 5 years. Jamie was Captain of the second Tortola entry at last year's Chief Ministers Cup. He will be helming at the BVI Spring Regatta this week as we train toward our big finale, the CM Cup. At Rolex Jamie was all over the boat handling the whisker pole on the downwind jibes and mainsheets on the windward legs. He also has competed in several Chief Ministers Cups as well as local races. Look for good results from him this weekend in the BVI Spring Regatta.

Jamar Cooper: Age 14. Javan's younger brother has been with us for 3 years. He is fast becoming an accomplished sailor and closing in on his brother. Jamar was busy at Rolex handling the jib sheet duties. He has also been on the team in our last 3 CM Cups.

Amal Maduro: Age 14. We were pleased to see Amal come back into the program after a time away. He is settling in and becoming a good all-round sailor. We look for big things from him down the road.

Jamal Wintz: Age 14. Jamal is now into his 4th year in KATS Sailing. He did a great job on foredeck duty this past weekend. He also has been on previous Team Tortolas at CN Cup.

Theo Stoddard: Age 15. Theo is also one of our long termers, now in his 4th year of KATS Sailors. We’re pleased to have Theo on the team and know he'll be a valuable addition.

Dontae Hodge-Dickenson: Age 12. Dontae may be smaller in stature than some of the older teammates, but what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in enthusiasm and spirit. He did a great job of keeping the boom out on the downwind legs. We should see a lot of this lad in the future.

Hats off to the KATS kids for their performance last weekend and watch out for them in the upcoming BVI Spring regatta, hosted this week at Nanny Cay Marina.