Over 40 boats already entered the 2016 Nanny Cay Cup race Round Tortola and the Nanny Cay Challenge.

The 2016 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival is gearing up to be a “Year Not to Be Missed”, and the kick off will be a challenging 31- nautical mile race around Tortola for the Nanny Cay Cup race on March 29th. The race has become not only an incredible adventure with views of all angles of Tortola; it is also the Nanny Cay Challenge for the fastest mono and catamaran record around the island.

If the forecast looks good, there’s a chance for entrants to throw down the gauntlet in the hope of smashing the existing record for the Nanny Cay Challenge by setting a new elapsed time as they race round the Island of Tortola, starting and finishing at Nanny Cay.

As well as competing for the Nanny Cay Cup, the Challenge has fantastic awards up for grabs if your crew breaks the race record; a jeroboam of “Drappier”champagne, dinner for 15 crew, an offer to donate $250 towards a BVI charity of choice and the bragging rights to the existing record are in the cards for the winning team.

The current records to beat are: Monohull record (3hrs 29mins 44secs) set at the 2013 Sailing Festival by Peter Corr’s Aiyana, an Alia 82 and the Multihull record (2hrs 33mins 40secs) set by BVI’s Triple Jack owned Richard Wooldridge and Steve Davis.

“Nanny Cay has been hosting the Spring Regatta for almost 14 years and we are happy to support the Sailing Festival Round Tortola race for the last three years.  The format gives an opportunity for more families to come and enjoy the week, see more of Tortola and Nanny Cay.  The Nanny Cay Cup will give all competitors a different view of the island.  Adding in our Nanny Cay Challenge for the fast record around the Island is really exciting,”  commented Miles Sutherland-Pilch, General Manager, Nanny Cay Resort and Marina.

In it’s 45th year, the BVI Spring Regatta hosted by Nanny Cay is expecting over 100 yachts from around the Caribbean and the World. The Regatta Village transforms the beach of Nanny Cay into a perfect venue for sailors and guests to come and share this incredible moment in history.   For more details see Nannycay.com

Feb. 10, Tortola– Scrub Island Resort to host The BVI Sailing Festival’s Island Invitational race. Ready to Race to Scrub Island?

(February10, 2016) – Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, a private-island resort in the British Virgin Islands, will host the March 30 Scrub Island Invitational as hosting sponsor during the 45th Annual BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival. Up to fifty boats are expected to compete in a race from Nanny Cay Marina to Scrub Island, winding through many of the lush islands, offering breathtaking panoramas of sun, sea and sky.  The exact course will depend on weather and conditions, but race officials expect the boats to arrive at Scrub Island Resort around 1 p.m. Upon conclusion, Scrub Island Resort will host a special luncheon and party for the crews, their families and friends, and race officials on the Grand Pavilion Patio, Pavilion Beach and lower level of the main resort swimming pool. Music, games and specialty drinks will make the afternoon festive for both participants and resort guests.  Additionally, Dr. Nicolle Schultze, will be the official chiropractor for the Scrub Island Invitational. “It’s a privilege for Scrub Island Resort to be included in what is the premier yachting event in the British Virgin Islands,” said Joe Collier, president of Mainsail Lodging & Development, the owner and operator of the resort.  “As title sponsor, we’re delighted to showcase our private island resort to an exclusive audience who may not yet be fully familiar with our five-star facilities, spectacular villas, impressive deep-water marina and slate of real estate offerings.” “We are happy to welcome Scrub Island Resort and Marina as our host sponsor for the Island Invitational race.  The Sailing Festival gives additional opportunities to our sailors to see more of the British Virgin Islands.  After a morning race though the East islands, we are sure Scrub Island will provide all the racers, friends and family a relaxing, fun and wonderful day.” commented Robert Phillips, BVI Spring Regatta Chairman. One of the top three annual Caribbean sailing events, the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival will take place March 28 to April 3, drawing an average of 110 yachts, of which 60 percent of the competitors come from overseas.  Other events during the Regatta and Sailing Festival include The Nanny Cay Cup,International Yacht Club Challenge, nightly entertainment with dancing on the beach, delicious food vendors, a bathing suit fashion show, Moko Jumbies and a huge firework finale show.  The Royal BVI Yacht Club, the MNA of the BVI and the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association, jointly own the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival.  For more information on the event, visit bvispringregatta.org. Island Race Day!