History of the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival
It began as just an idea. An idea sparked by a love of the tranquil
blue waters of the Virgin Islands, the warm steady tradewinds and
the picturesque scenery of the islands. It was the magnificent sight
of yachts of all types as they sliced through the waters of the
Sir Francis Drake Channel that sparked the idea.
In 1972, local sailors felt it was the right time to organize a
major regatta. By that time bareboat charters had established themselves
in the BVI, there were small Squib and Sunfish fleets and other
privately owned yachts. Additionally, the BVI sailing contingent
had a five-year history of organizing sailboat races.
As members of the then BVI Hotel and Tourist Association, Peter
Haycraft, Albie Stewart and others, used their influence to establish
the first BVI Spring Regatta, Over 20 boats, including Squibs, competed
in the first regatta which was won by the yacht Nutmeg skippered
by Alex Forbes of the United Kingdom.
The very next year, with the formation of the BVI Yacht Club, the
Spring Regatta became a joint effort between the BVI Yacht Club
and the Hotel Association. From its early success the Spring Regatta
has grown in size and strength due largely to the support of racing
enthusiasts from around the world who return year after year to
compete, and the people, businesses and Government of the BVI.
In 2000, the BVI Spring Regatta was the first to introduce separate
start and finish lines on a windward leeward course. This enabled
the race committee to individually tailor the length and number
of races sailed by each class on the course. In 2003, the event
went through another major transition. Organizers felt it was time
to expand, including more days of racing and more time to enjoy
the BVI both on and off the water. Thus, the Sailing Festival was
born. 2004, the Nations’ Challenge Cup and the Around Virgin
Gorda race were added to the schedule. As each day of the Sailing
Festival is scored as a separate event, sailors can choose from
a smorgasbord of options, sailing just part of or the entire Sailing
Festival. In 2006, the Race Committee added new classes to the one
design area and the addition of a 4th racecourse for one-design
boats. They included lasers, laser radials, beach cats, formula
boards and IC-24's.
Today, the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival is one of the
Caribbean’s premier annual racing events. It has developed
a reputation for serious competition and serious partying.
By popular demand, the event has evolved into six days of non-stop
racing action and seven nights of partying. Throughout the week,
Bitter End Yacht Club and Nanny Cay play host to participants with
parties and prizes designed for those that sail and those that just
want to have fun. The Regatta Village at the Nanny Cay Marina takes
on a carnival-like atmosphere with food, drinks, games, music, dancing
and other forms of entertainment for landlubbers and yachtsmen who
converge to eat, drink and make merry.
Racing enthusiasts who have experienced the BVI Spring Regatta and
Sailing Festival return year after year for fun, the great weather
and, with something new introduced almost every year, the innovative
race management.
Weather
Information: Local and Caribbean
weather conditions and forecasts can be obtained on the following:
VHF WX3 - continuous recording Channel 85 - 8 a.m. & 8 p.m.
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