Regatta recovery
As the Caribbean recovers from the devastation of Hurricane Irma and Maria, the British Virgin Island Regatta provides a highlight of the the recovery process.
25 March 2018
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The organisers and supporters of the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival have always stood firm and optimistic that the 47th edition of this much-loved regatta would take place over Easter as planned. The Regatta will be the first major international event held since Hurricane Irma and Maria devastated the island group last September, and the BVI people have made great strides to re-build lives and get the show on the road.
The running of the event this year will be a significant achievement for all those concerned. Organisers has worked tirelessly since the devastating hurricanes to ensure that the Regatta, which this year includes an exciting new full moon event offering competitors a chance to race around the beautiful British Virgin Islands, will go ahead.
The 2018 BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival kicks off with a four-day warm-up, followed by the main three-day regatta from 26 March to 1 April.
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Nanny Cay, home and host to event for the past 15 years is set to welcome some 60 yachts to the newly located Regatta Village sited in the Outer Marina which was completed in December 2016. This marina was relatively unscathed by the region’s worst natural disaster on record and will be a perfect base for the teams to gather and enjoy the regatta.
Competitors this year include a number of regular boats and crews who are keen to show their support, as well as friends of the Regatta from Puerto Rico, Antigua, BVI and other Caribbean Islands who were also affected by the 2017 hurricanes. North American sailors, as well as those from the United Kingdom and Europe will also be joining the festivities.
“We have been coming to the BVI for over 20 years and this will be our fifth Spring Regatta,” said owner of Hanse 43 Avanti, Jeremi Jablonski.
“We were one of the first boats to arrive back at Nanny Cay last November and to witness the devastation after Irma. We were also the first to sign up for this year’s event as we love the BVI and we are competing to show our support to our local friends.”
Peter Steinkogler’s team on X-41 Godspeed is also back. “This is my second time racing in the BVI Spring Regatta,” he said. “Last year we won our first race before I had to leave, and my crew finished the event without me. This year I’m looking forward to sun, paradise, good racing and a Painkiller or two!” Peter is a 17-times European Austrian Champion in various boats, and Chief Sailing Instructor at Godspeed Sail Racing Academy.
Tony Mack, member of the Royal Southern YC in Hamble UK and current J111 National Champion will be returning for his ninth Spring Regatta on the British J122, Team McFly/El Ocaso. The experienced team have had great success at the event in the past and Mack is looking forward to more great racing this year.
Susan Glenny’s First 40, The Sirens/Olympia’s Tigress, also from the UK will host The Sirens Women’s Yacht Racing team at this year’s BVI Spring Regatta. The Sirens is an established all women’s crew that races in the UK and the Caribbean to provide an opportunity for women to experience competitive racing. “I’m really looking forward to the awesome team we have coming out,” said Glenny.
Eddie Brockbank, Director of the BVI Spring Regatta and Sales Manager at Doyle Sailmakers BVI, will be competing on his Corsair Sprint 750 trimaran. “Lucky 7 is certainly living up to her name as the trimaran survived both hurricane Irma and Maria,” said Brockbank whose first BVISR was back in 1988. This will be Brockbank’s first time racing Lucky 7 in the Spring Regatta.
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