Clarity Coming in the Caribbean

Here are three updates following the damage assessment from recent hurricanes in the Caribbean.

Organizers of the St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR) have officially announced the 2018 event, set for March 23 to 25 in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, will take place as scheduled despite damage to the island from Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Never in the 45-year history of STIR has a fall storm, even a major one, interrupted the running of the ‘Crown Jewel of Caribbean Yacht Racing’, and it will not in 2018. The host St. Thomas Yacht Club suffered some damage and the fleet took more than a few dents, but the venue for fantastic round the island races is still very much in place. Details.

Considered a high point of the tourist season on the island of Saint-Barthélemy, Les Voiles de St. Barth will take place as planned over April 8-14, 2018.

When the Caribbean Islands were ravaged by one of the deadliest hurricanes of the century, Saint-Barthélemy took a hard hit from Irma but is already well on the road to recovery, revealing its courage and energy to rise up, much like the organizers of Les Voiles de St. Barth who have decided to maintain the regatta in 2018. Details.

After previously announcing the annual Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) Conference would proceed as planned on October 13 to 15, the CSA now reveals the gathering will be postponed to a date to be determined. The initial decision came after Hurricane Irma, but the delay is now needed with the increased number of islands and people affected by Hurricane Maria. Details.