(St. Thomas, USVI)- The starting horn is set to sound on the 2021 St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR) March 26th to 28th, launching three days of keen competition in one of the world’s top yacht racing destinations. Board members of the host St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC) and STIR organizers have worked diligently and with strong support from the United States Virgin Islands Departments of Tourism and Health to plan a best of both worlds event. That is, highly competitive yacht racing with COVID-19 protocols in place on land and sea to protect the health and safety of sailors and island residents alike. The warm-up distance-style Round the Rocks Race on March 25th adds another great way for sailors to socially-distance at sea. Register for both at stthomasinternationalregatta.com“It is our pleasure to welcome participants attending this year’s St. Thomas International Regatta. I commend the St. Thomas Yacht Club for ensuring that COVID-19 protocols are in place so competitors and spectators can safely enjoy the action both on and off our waters. We encourage everyone to comply with the Territory’s safety measures as they navigate our islands, experience our beautiful waters, rich history and culture, and the warmth of our people,” says Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism, U.S. Virgin Islands.
COVID-Safety Top of Mind
Sound COVID-19 protocols implemented by the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands have kept infection rates low. Key among these is that every traveler, age 5 and older, entering the territory by air or sea, is required to use the USVI Travel Screening Portal and submit a COVID-19 test result before travel. Upon arrival, social distancing is the rule and, in most businesses, ‘No Mask, No Service’ is in force.
At STIR, social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand sanitization stations are among COVID-19 protocols. On the water, crews in boats such as the one-design IC24 are limited to three this year, and bigger boat classes will remain in social bubbles throughout the regatta.
Who’s Racing
The big boat CSA Racing Class entries include LIQUID, the perpetually podium-placing J/122 raced by Antigua’s Pamala Baldwin; and for their first time, Marco Teixidor's Puerto Rican team on the J/111 CACHONDO.
The largest class in STIR 2021 will be the One-Design IC-24s (the modified Caribbean J/24) with 20 entries. Because of their familiarity with J/24s, a number of American teams are headed down to the Caribbean for fun and frolic! Those teams include Chicago, Illinois’ Joe Hummel; his wife and friends will charter the IC-24 ROUNDABOUT from the St. Thomas Sailing Center (STSC) to race.
“My wife and I are avid sailors on Lake Michigan. In the off-season, we try to get out sailing and typically visit St. Pete in February and the Caribbean in March. Four of us will be racing, and since the crew is limited to 3 this year, we’ll be rotating one off each day. Given the 2 feet of snow and freezing temperatures at home, you can imagine how much we’re looking forward to sailing and enjoying USVI and in particular STYC.”
Two other teams from the Chicago area will be joining them; including Jarrett Altmin on SOUL SHINE and Jay Butler's BLACK PEARL from Oak Park, IL.
The STYC and STIR organizers thank the USVI Department of Tourism; Michelob Ultra, Stoli, Bacardi, and Milagro distributed by West Indies Company; and several other sponsors organizers look forward to announcing shortly. Sailing photo credits- Ingrid Abery/ STIR For more St Thomas International Regatta sailing information
Add to Flipboard Magazine.
The big boat CSA Racing Class entries include LIQUID, the perpetually podium-placing J/122 raced by Antigua’s Pamala Baldwin; and for their first time, Marco Teixidor's Puerto Rican team on the J/111 CACHONDO.
The largest class in STIR 2021 will be the One-Design IC-24s (the modified Caribbean J/24) with 20 entries. Because of their familiarity with J/24s, a number of American teams are headed down to the Caribbean for fun and frolic! Those teams include Chicago, Illinois’ Joe Hummel; his wife and friends will charter the IC-24 ROUNDABOUT from the St. Thomas Sailing Center (STSC) to race.
“My wife and I are avid sailors on Lake Michigan. In the off-season, we try to get out sailing and typically visit St. Pete in February and the Caribbean in March. Four of us will be racing, and since the crew is limited to 3 this year, we’ll be rotating one off each day. Given the 2 feet of snow and freezing temperatures at home, you can imagine how much we’re looking forward to sailing and enjoying USVI and in particular STYC.”
Two other teams from the Chicago area will be joining them; including Jarrett Altmin on SOUL SHINE and Jay Butler's BLACK PEARL from Oak Park, IL.
The STYC and STIR organizers thank the USVI Department of Tourism; Michelob Ultra, Stoli, Bacardi, and Milagro distributed by West Indies Company; and several other sponsors organizers look forward to announcing shortly. Sailing photo credits- Ingrid Abery/ STIR For more St Thomas International Regatta sailing information
|
