Pata Negra Returns For 2024 – You Can Join The Fun Too!

Join sailors from all over the world who converge annually in the stunning BVI to enjoy the thrill of trade wind racing. Bring your own boat, join an existing crew, or charter from an array of options.

Dr Laura Schlessinger and her team will return on the chartered Pata Negra for the 2024 event after her first outing at the BVI Spring Regatta this year.  Pata Negra, an IRC 46 designed by Marc Lombard in 2016 (available from LV Yachting), is one of many charter options offering performance racing charters to experienced crew.

Dr Laura and her crew in the racing division were joined on the water by crews onboard Ondeck’s Farr 65 Spirit Of Juno; EH01, a Beneteau First 47.7 from Global Yacht Racing; Escapado, a First 40.7 from Sail Racing Academy; and El Ocaso, a J122 from LV Yachting.

It may seem daunting to take on a vessel you are not accustomed to racing but this is what Dr Laura had to say: “This was my first foray into racing someplace else in the world. It was tremendously exciting to be on a boat we knew nothing about and kind of learned on the job.” 

Not only did they learn the new boat, this crew went on to win their class and had a wonderful time achieving this: “The weather, the wind, the water, the people, the place we stayed in with a full view of gorgeous water and hills and rocks. The entire experience was just thoroughly amazing.” 

All levels of sailors have opportunity to race with many options to suit your skill and comfort level: from performance racers as whole, or head, boat charters, joining already formed crews or chartering your own bareboat for the week.  Chartering also allows sailors to travel the world and compete without the logistics of managing your own yacht.

With chartering options all over the world, when asked why this team will be returning to the BVI Spring regatta, Dr Laura said: “Frankly, we had planned to make this the first of trips to other places to race but when we all got back home and looked at each other, we went yeah, let’s just go back to BVI! So here we come!”

The 2023 Spring regatta also saw two different bareboat classes delivering competitive racing which proved to be fierce for some and fun for all.   These options truly open the racing opportunities to anyone who is ready to take the plunge.  Our long-time sponsors The Moorings and Sunsail are waiting to provide quality bareboats.  The Moorings have partnered with our event for many years, providing our crucial race committee boats.  Our professional team could not perform race management excellence without these custom power catamarans.

Which type of sailor are you? With sailors from across the globe making it a yearly tradition, we welcome you to experience the magic of this special sailing event in the beautiful British Virgin Islands. There are many ways to join the fun, what are you waiting for?

Photos: Ingrid Abery