BVI 49th Spectacular Spring Regatta And Sailing Festival 2022

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Following the recession of Covid 19, the twice postponed 49^th BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival is now finally holding between March 29-April 3, 2022.

The BVI Spring Regatta festival is a week-long racing adventure in the stunning islands of the British Virgin Islands. One event not to be quickly forgotten, as it is heralded by the numerous competitors who return annually to soak up the sun and enjoy the pleasure of trade wind racing.

It is one of the largest regattas in the Caribbean, the one Caribbean Regatta event that has something for everyone who attends. The weeklong BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival takes you throughout the beautiful British Virgin Islands. So, Race & Cruise your way through the BVI.

Long-time sponsors Nanny Cay Resort and Marina will again be the host of the 2022 event which will focused on world-class racing, delivering first-class experience to which sailors and regatta enthusiasts have become accustomed to over 49 editions of this adored regatta. “Our host Nanny Cay, and our Village and Race Committee crew, is set to provide another stellar BVI Spring Regatta for the 49th edition of this fabulous regatta,” Judy Petz, Regatta Director said. “We are thrilled that so many sailors from around the world continue to put the BVI Spring Regatta on their annual calendar.

“The event is a signature of the British Virgin Islands and has been a huge voice to the world to come back to the BVIs. We are not only back up and running, as Nanny Cay has completed major works including both the Inner and Outer Marinas. Visitors can enjoy new docks, water, fuel and renovated hotel rooms,” he said proudly.

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So, you can choose to participate in all the full week events, either or both of the festival races or just the Spring Regatta. With a huge choice of shore side accommodations and activities there’s no need to leave your loved ones at home.

Post-race gatherings will be at Nanny Cay’s Peg Legs and Beach Bar. As sponsor and host of the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival we have created a ‘regatta family’ and have collectively built the reputation of the event and the marina to the standard and quality that it is today,” commented Miles Sutherland-Pilch, General Manager of Nanny Cay Resort and Marina.

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With a modified format, the Sailing Festival will commence on Wednesday, March 30th with a race to neighbouring Scrub Island for their Invitational Race– a short morning fun race taking the fleet to the eastern islands, such as Virgin Gorda, before arriving at our host for the day, Scrub Island Resort and Marina where sailors can enjoy an afternoon of festivities, food, and music at the resort. And then an afternoon BBQ with games and relaxation. Registration starts at noon for those entering the BVI Spring Regatta.

Thursday, March 31^st– The racing will continue the next morning with a race towards the BVI western island group for an afternoon of camaraderie and…more great fun. A chance to explore the islands, so you can work on the boat, practice or just relax on the beach.

This new format allows for an abundance of informal racing, a view of the different islands of the BVI, and acts as a warm-up to the 49^th BVI Spring Regatta which will kick off on Friday April 1^st with the Mount Gay Race Day

Friday April 1- Sunday April 3 is three days of top racing round rocks– The regatta will include racing over multiple courses, with expanded (18-classes) and competition with some of the fastest, top competitors from the Caribbean and around the world. There’s a boat and a course for everyone, proffering excellent challenges as well as spectacular racing throughout the Sir Francis Drake Channel and the Caribbean Sea.

Each night brings the teams back to the Regatta Village located shoreside of the Outer Marina at Nanny Cay Marina and Resort.

Only the best survives to take home the Gold and the Glory, along with great stories and experiences that keep sailors coming back year after year

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The 3-day regatta is predominantly windward/leeward courses; there are 2 races a day commencing at 10:00 and finishing at 16:00 approximately. The courses are set in the Sir Francis Drake Channel on the south side of Tortola, in a protective and relatively flat water, making for top-notch racing experience.

Some 60% of the BVI Spring Regatta fleet comprises sailors who return year after year, excited for the racing conditions and the opportunity to meet new people as well as reunite with long-time sailing friends.

Jeremy Jablonksi (USA) owner/skipper of the Hanse Avanti has participated in Spring Regatta annually for many years – the Regatta is always challenging and fun for us,” Jablonski noted with his huge enthusiasm.

Most of Pamala Baldwin’s young career racing crew have returned to sail with her this season on her boat Liquid, a J122. Baldwin is a long-time regular on the Caribbean race circuit and prides herself on providing a steppingstone for young sailors to professional racing. Liquid’s skipper Jules White commented: “Team Liquid are looking forward to the challenging conditions that BVI Spring Regatta delivers every year. It always attracts a competitive fleet for us and the variety of courses throughout the week gives every boat a chance to play their hand. It’s always a favourite for us and a pleasure to race in such beautiful waters.”

Dave Brennan, Principal Race Officer, has been officiating BVI Spring Regatta for almost 20 years. He’s raced all his life, starting in dinghies then big boats in offshore distance racing. “I’ve been to a lot of different venues and situations and just love racing in the BVI where the sailing is absolutely brilliant – we can sail in crystal-clear deep water right up to huge big rocks that come out of 300 feet of water. We like to mix up the courses to give racers two or three options of rocks to go around – it’s a fun and different kind of approach to decision making and competitors don’t all have to go around same course.”

“For anyone interested in having a great week sailing and partying with sailors from around the world this is the place,” Friedman added. “To meet and sail against crews from around the Caribbean, US and Europe is really fun and something I don’t get to experience sailing in local club races at home. Beautiful scenery and great sailing in relatively protected waters; it’s a sailors paradise and very special having islands as marks!”

Week Schedule and New Format of the 49^TH Spring Regatta

Each night brings the teams back to the Regatta Village located shoreside of the Outer Marina at Nanny Cay Marina and Resort.

Only the best survives to take home the Gold and the Glory, along with great stories and experiences that keep sailors coming back year after year

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Likewise, Larry Huibers, now crew on J122 Apollo (formerly Touch2play racer) is excited to be heading back to the Caribbean. “After a season away, like everyone, Apollo is super excited to be coming back to the BVI Spring Regatta,” Huibers commented. “With blend of crew who have done and not done the event, everyone is stoked to be back in the gin clear waters of the Francis Drake. Apollo’s previous experiences have been so wonderful we just had to get back to racing. Our best tip for everyone: just to get to the regatta, you’ll be hooked just like we are!”

Although the course of Covid-19 is still present, the British Virgin Islands Ministry of Health still approved for the race to go on, with updated protocols and registration has begun. Register now @ BVI Spring Regatta Entry Form.

All participants will be required to comply with guidelines set by the BVI Government and the Event Organizers at BVI Government site and BVI Spring Regatta Covid Update. Social distancing and proper sanitization will be implemented. Group contact will be limited at registration, the committee desk, and other official proceedings.

Currently, visitors are required to take a COVID-19 PCR test and receive a negative result within 48 hours prior to arrival.

“As with all the events being held in the Caribbean, online registration, electronic Official Notice Board, online International Jury and social-distanced shoreside activities will be a primary focus,” Judy Petz, Regatta Director, stated. “We will ensure safe ways to make sure the spirit of camaraderie, cold beers and rum will be available.”

The race committee will create challenging races each day for all competitive classes including Racing, Cruising, Bareboat, Multihull, and Sports Multihull.

Brief history of the Spring Regatta and Memorial of founder, Mr. Peter Haycraft OBE

The BVI Spring Regatta committee is deeply saddened that founder member Mr. Peter Haycraft OBE passed away on 29 May 2021

In 1973 a group of members of the recently formed BVI Yacht Club, headed by Peter Haycraft, decided a regatta was in order, starting a tradition which has endured for fifty years. Under Peter’s stewardship as chairman what became known as the BVI Spring Regatta grew to become an internationally recognized sailing event known for its race management excellence and fun social activities.

Supporting the shore side was important to Peter and he ensured his libations of choice were available bringing Mount Gay and Heineken on as sponsors, a relationship which has endured for many years. Peter has stayed involved throughout, sometimes in the forefront accepting trophies on stage for the successes of his racing, but more importantly in the background with sage advice whenever needed, which was often.

“Peter will always be with us in spirit, his memory guiding our regatta to future successes. Fair Winds to you always” The dispirited committee conclude!

The BVI Spring Regatta is a week-long, Festival and Regatta, two great events rolled into one, including some beautiful cruising, competitive racing and serious fun on and off the water! From its inception in 1973, the BVIs Spring Regatta has grown in size with continuing support from racing enthusiasts around the world.

The festival begins with a Round Tortola Race and a pursuit race to another island with a champagne BBQ at the other end – A great way to warm up and immerse oneself into the British Virgin Islands eco-system

Week Schedule and New Format of the 49^TH Spring Regatta

Each night brings the teams back to the Regatta Village located shoreside of the Outer Marina at Nanny Cay Marina and Resort.

Only the best survives to take home the Gold and the Glory, along with great stories and experiences that keep sailors coming back year after year

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High performance yachts can also be chartered with high end race equipment and spinnakers. Companies are designed to charter a full crew, or some offer a “pay to play” alternative, basically chartering your position on the boat.

The Royal BVI Yacht Club (OA) and BVI Chamber of Commerce, as partners, are ready to welcome you to the 49th BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. “The BVI is the mecca for sailing for three very important reasons,” Bob Phillips, Regatta Chairman said.

“With its 64 islands and rocks, you never run out of interesting and challenging places to sail. We have protected water in the Sir Francis Drake Channel where most of the racing is done, so even when trade winds are blowing their normal usual knots, you still have comfortable conditions for most sailors with the opportunity for ocean-like conditions if desired. We have it all!”

“Not only is the racing superb, but for those who want to combine a race holiday with cruising before or after, our islands are unbelievably lush, with anchorages every 20 minutes – it’s just a comfortable, beautiful place to sail,” Phillips added.

Horton smiled. “It’s going to be awesome – multiple weeks of Caribbean sailing and racing; well, you can’t beat that on this TP52, it’s the best. We’re hoping that our friends on the Swan 601 Stark Raving Mad will join us for some of it.”