Caribbean racing at U.S. Virgin Islands

The second annual St. Thomas Yacht Club Invitational Regatta will take place on May 14-16, 2021. Run out of the Club’s St. Thomas Sailing Center in Cowpet Bay, this event will host eight teams representing the U.S. Virgin Islands, USA, and Sweden.

The 2020 regatta featured 13 IC24 teams representing each of the USVI, as well as the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, USA and Sweden, and eight Hobie Wave sailors from St. Thomas. While COVID-19 restrictions will reduce the scope of the 2021 event, the 2020 champion in IC-24s, the St. Thomas team of Chris Rosenberg, Cy Thompson, and Addison Caproni, will be competing.

In 2021, eight teams will compete in up to 16 round-the-buoy races over the three-day event. Racing will be in Jersey bay on the southeast of St. Thomas, making much of the racing visible from land.

“What I like about the IC-24 is that we have succeeded in creating a class in which the speed differentials between boats are small,” said Rosenberg. “The difference makers are teamwork, sail trim, and tactics which are the fundamentals of the sport. When you win an IC-24 event it feels good! Also, a major component of the class is its low cost. This opens up high caliber racing to a broad audience.”

The Regatta will also commemorate a perpetual trophy awarded to the winning teams dedicated to Rudy Thomson and Dick Avery for their long-standing contributions to St. Thomas Yacht Club and Olympic racing inspiring sailors of all ages.

Details: https://stthomassailingcenter.com/st-thomas-invitational-regatta/