Quintessential Caribbean racing and shore side entertainment for the participants and guests is coming together for the 2017 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. Essential to these enhancements is the marina expansion at host sponsor Nanny Cay Resort and Marina and the return of the Scrub Island Resort, Spa and Marina for the Scrub Island Invitational on March 30th.
On December 12th Nanny Cay Resort and Marina opened a new Outer Marina that will provide more slips for deeper draft race boats. Currently, 42 slips are operational along the mangrove-lined shore, with the last 78 slips expected to be in place by August 2017. When completed, the outer marina will have 120 slips suitable for yachts. It will almost double Nanny Cay’s total dock facilities to 300 slips split between the inner and outer marina. This increased capacity will allow for more race boats and mother ships during the 2017 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival.
In addition to the exciting physical changes at Nanny Cay, they will once again sponsor the Nanny Cay Round Tortola Race on Tuesday, March 28th. This race is part of the Nanny Cay Challenge that allows Sailing Festival participants to race against the best times recorded over the years as crews push their boats to the limit in the race around Tortola. The evening awards ceremony will be followed by a Caribbean barbeque and music on the beach at Nanny Cay.
Miles Sutherland Pilch, general manager of Nanny Cay, announced, “It will be our honor to welcome all new and returning yachts to the 2017 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. The new Outer Marina will allow us to offer increased capacity with new options for rafting and mooring. We are looking forward to having even more yachts join us, not only for racing, but in the Regatta Village as well.”
Scrub Island Invitational
Sam Talbot’s J111 Spike (USA) crosses the finish of the Scrub Island Invitational Race in the BVI Sailing Festival
© Todd VanSickle
For the second consecutive year, Scrub Island Resort, Spa and Marina, a private-island resort in the British Virgin Islands, is the hosting sponsor for the March 29th Scrub Island Invitational. The race from Nanny Cay Marina to Scrub Island is expected to draw up to 50 boats. The exact course will depend on weather and conditions, but will wind through many of the lush islands, offering racers breathtaking views as they make their way to Scrub Island for an estimated 12:30 p.m. arrival. Upon conclusion, Scrub Island Resort will host the crews, their families and friends, and race officials for a special luncheon and party on the Grand Pavilion Patio, Pavilion Beach and lower level of the main resort swimming pool. The festive afternoon celebration will feature the awards, live music, a barbeque lunch and specialty drinks.
“We’re excited to once again host the Scrub Island Invitational, which was very well received last year and will no doubt draw even bigger crowds this year,” said Joe Collier, president of Mainsail Lodging & Development, the owner and operator of the resort. “It’s a great event for participants and an opportunity to showcase our private island resort to some who may not be familiar with everything we have to offer on Scrub Island.”
A 58-square mile playground of some 50+ islands, the turquoise water and picture-perfect white sand beaches of the BVI offer plenty of action on and off-shore for racers and non-racers, and The BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival is the perfect opportunity to take it all in.
