2021 BVI Spring Regatta cancelled

The 2021 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, which was scheduled for March 29 to April 4, has been cancelled following deep consideration by all entities involved. The BVI Spring Regatta Committee, after discussions with the BVI Government Ministry of Health, concluded that postponing the 49th edition to 2022 was in the best interest for the safety of all participants, volunteers, and the wider BVI community.

This is the latest cancellation for the 2021 Caribbean season which already has lost RORC Caribbean 600, St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, St Barths Bucket Regatta, and Les Voiles de St. Barth. Also having to cancel was 2021 Antigua Sailing Week.

“As much as we would have loved to welcome everyone back to the BVI, the most important factors are health and safety for all,” said Judy Petz, Regatta Director. “Our international participants understand the situation and are already planning for the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival in March 2022.”

The cancellation of the event is a financial blow to the non-profit entity which organizes this internationally respected sailing event, as well as to the BVI community, which typically enjoys a positive economic impact from the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival of approximately $4 million each year. This loss to the local economy these past two years due to the pandemic has been devastating, particularly to the yachting sector.

“We hope that as COVID-19 vaccination programs progress and international travel restrictions are lifted, that it will become safer for people to travel and participate in events like ours,” Petz continued. “We look forward to making next year a terrific event, one that all of our participants, sponsors and the community can look forward to.”

The 2022 BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival is scheduled for March 28- April 3, 2022.

For full details on the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival: www.bvispringregatta.org