(St Thomas, US Virgin Islands)- This coming weekend, the “Crown Jewel”
of Caribbean racing takes place--the Rolex Cup Regatta- where sailors
can experience reliable breezes, warm azure waters and world-renowned
Island hospitality off the eastern end of St Thomas. The competition
and the camaraderie are unsurpassed; attracting sailing teams from
around the world, and from this perspective its 2012 edition will prove
to be the most diverse ever, with entries from the USA, Russia, Sweden,
The Netherlands, Monaco and beyond. The three-day event, scheduled for
March 23-25, is hosted by St. Thomas Yacht Club, which for 39 years has
devoted itself to producing this regatta’s famed offerings: three days
of high-quality racing and serious fun in an inspiringly scenic island
atmosphere.
The
racing starts on Friday-- beginning with the picturesque and
traditional distance races from the east end of St. Thomas to Charlotte
Amalie Harbour and back. The tactically demanding Pillsbury Sound Race
in and among the cays of St. Thomas and St. John is Sunday’s highlight.
This “Sunday drive” has decided final standing in most classes in each
of the last five years. The culmination of the International Rolex
Regatta’s lively competition is a presentation on Sunday of coveted
Rolex timepieces to winners in select classes. A total of 66 boats are
sailing including the 7 J's below, 16 of the IC-24s (modified J/24s)--
nearly 33% of the fleet!CSA 1 Class has the J/122 LAZY DOG sailed by Sergio Sagramoso from San Juan, Puerto Rico, missing will be the J/122 LOST HORIZON and the J/120 EL OCASO.
CSA 2 Class has four J's sailing, including the J/105 DARK STAR sailed by Jonathan Lipuscek from San Juan, Puerto Rico; the J/27 MAGNIFICENT 7 sailed by Paul Davis from St Thomas, USVI; the J/30 COMFORTABLY NUMB sailed by Marston Winkles from St Thomas, USVI; and the J/80 OTRA KOSA sailed by Kike Gonzalez from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
CSA
4 Non-Spinnaker is always a tough class to win simply because there are
some good family teams racing. This year, again, sees the return of
the Sanpere family racing their multiple Rolex Winner, the J/36
CAYENITTA GRANDE skippered by Antonio Sanpere from Christiansted, St
Croix, USVI. Challenging them will be the J/95 SHAMROCK VII sailed by
Tom Mullen from Campton, New Hampshire, who recently just finished
sailing their best Caribbean regatta yet in the St Maarten Heineken
Regatta.Finally, sailing in IRC 1 Class are an entire crew of J Owners and alumni sailing on the 72 footer SAFARA with the famous UK skipper, Brian Thomson aboard. Here's a breakdown of their crew: Brian Thomson just broke the round-the-world sailing record with the French crew on the 130 foot trimaran Banque Populaire (he's sailed J/24s and J/35s); Christian Reynolds (J/92s & J/24s); Mark LeVan (J/22s, J/24s, J/35s and J/46); Diane Staley (J/105s); Jennifer Griffith (J/80s); Stuart Brown (J/24 Cowes Week Champion); Jeff Mootz (J/24s & J/105s); Rod Olsen (J/24s, J/35s, J/32 & J/36); Randee Hurst (J/80s, J/105s & J/120); and Richie and Lori Stearns- the J/Dealer from Chicago, Illinois. Sailing photo credits- Ingrid Abery.com. For more Rolex Cup sailing information
