CARIBBEAN CIRCUIT: Not a bad way to spend a winter

Published on March 22nd, 2013

The International Rolex Regatta in St.Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands celebrates its 40th anniversary this year (March 22-24), and among the impressive fleet of seventy boats competing is the 9-boat Melges 32 class. Joining this fleet during their practice session on Thursday was Scuttlebutt correspondent Leighton O’Connor, who has the enviable assignment of covering the Caribbean circuit. We hate him too…
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I got to ride on Synergy GT, a Russian Sailing Team that has been together for seven years. Prior to starting their newest campaign on a Melges last year, they did campaigns on a TP52 and RC44.

St. Thomas local and somewhat famous racer John Holmberg has been helping the Melges 32 Fleet as the local knowledge guy, spending the day on the water out at the Melges practice course. “I was impressed with how tight the sailing is between these boats,” observed John. “It’s a neat fleet to watch and to have such world class teams in the Caribbean to show us what front running classes look like.”

Other Melges 32 Teams in St. Thomas for the Rolex are Argo, Delta, Inga, INTAC, Ngoni, Robertissima 1, Smile & Wave and Volpe. The IRR is second event in the Virgin Island Melges 32 Super Series. The first event of the series was in Virgin Gorda, BVI, which saw Robertissima win followed by Leenabarca in second and Argo in third. The third and final regatta in the series will be at Peter Island on April 26-28 for the Caribbean Championship.

Not a bad way to spend a winter.