A Visual Feast for J's Racing
(St Thomas, USVI)- As it has proven for 38 years, the International Rolex Regatta is a racing getaway that is as much about serious competition as it is about the festive yet relaxed Caribbean experience that host St. Thomas Yacht Club has created around it. The three-day event is scheduled this year for Friday, March 25, through Sunday, March 27, and features race courses that accentuate the coastal beauty of the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as shore-side gatherings - including a reggae music concert and uniquely staged Rolex Awards Ceremony - that remind visitors why "tropical" and "paradise" go so well together. The sailing includes three days of weaving through the visually arresting cuts, cays and islands of the U.S. Virgins. Teams from the U.S. and Europe are always among those to beat, but no one dismisses the home-grown talent from St. Thomas and islands farther afield such as Puerto Rico and St. Martin.
"With dependable trade winds, great racing is assured, and we work hard to make it easy for sailors and their families to participate," said Regatta Co-Director Bill Canfield, explaining that the St. Thomas Yacht Club is the central meeting place for breakfast each morning and socializing after racing, with the exception of Saturday night’s party at Yacht Haven Grande for which transportation is provided.
"One of our traditions is the ‘town race’ on Friday, where the entire fleet races from the east end of St. Thomas right to the heart of the bustling commercial harbour of Charlotte Amalie," added Canfield. "Once the fleet is finished there, we start them again for the race back home. It gives us a chance to share the spectacle of a mass of colorful spinnakers with the people who live on St. Thomas and others who are visiting, and it gives the racers an opportunity to see St. Thomas’ beautiful and historic capital. Racing is rounded out on the weekend by a high caliber mix of island races and windward/leewards designed to test skills and showcase the stunning shoreline." Just for fun, check out the Rolex Cup sailing instructions here, wonderful "chamber of commerce" friendly courses taking you on a tour of St Thomas and St John.
Amongst the top J's racing will be the J/122 LOST HORIZON sailed by Caribbean champion Jim Dobbs from Antigua. Keeping Jim honest will be another champion crew aboard the J/120 EL OCASO sailed by Rick Wesslund from Miami, FL. Also participating are the J/110 CANDELA from Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Juan Bosch's beautiful cruiser-racer. Speaking of which, Bob Read's J/40 NEPENTHE (sans sons Kenny and Brad) will be cruising the courses with fun and with panache. Not far off the pace will be the J/36 CAYENITTA GRANDE sailed by Tony Sanpere from St. Croix, USVI and the J/95 SHAMROCK VII skippered by Tom Mullen and his fun-loving crew. Dueling for 27 foot honors amongst the J's will be the two J/27s, MAG 7 sailed by Paul Davis from USVI and NO SEA DEM skippered by Chris Hardin also from USVI and the J/80 OTRA KOSA sailed by Kike Gonzalez from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sailing Photo Credit- Tim Wright- Photoaction.com For more Rolex Cup sailing information