STIR’ing up the fun

(October 17, 2019) – Registration for the St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR), set for March 27-29, 2020, is now open. The regatta will entertain world-class racing and the chance to trade tacks and tactics with America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean and Olympic crews on the water and off.

Competitors can enter the Round the Rocks Race, a circumnavigation of the neighboring island of St. John on March 26, for an extra day of competition.

“STIR offers the best of Caribbean racing and it is all done out of STYC in Cowpet Bay,” says Bill Canfield, who co-directs STIR 2020 with Pat Bailey. “We are known as the ‘friendly regatta’ as we cater to your needs before and during the event. Join us in March and find out why ‘We Love It Here’.”

STIR 2020 invites CSA (Caribbean Sailing Association-handicap rule), racing, cruising and bareboat classes; IRC; ORC; Multihull, Beach Cats and One-Design classes with a minimum length of 20 feet. Some of the hottest classes will be the one-design. Over 20 IC24s are anticipated to be on the start line for STIR 2020. The fleet of Hobie Waves is growing too.

Owners of the J/121 Apollo are already making plans to race in STIR 2020. “STIR 2018 was a first for many of the crew on Apollo; what an awesome event,” says Denise Bienvenu, who captains the boat for owner and avid racer, Donald Nicholson, of Weston, MA.

“I strongly believe that point-to-point racing using a mix of government marks and islands as turning points is such fun. The racing format, the quality of racing, the professionalism of STIR’s race officers, the hospitality of the St. Thomas Yacht Club and its members – all this helps to make STIR an event that should be on every Caribbean sailor’s schedule.”

“What we really appreciate about STIR is the regatta’s ability to find the perfect balance of very intense racing and fun. We’d love to be back,” says Larry Huibers, who helmed Touch2Play, a Reflex 38 owned by Canada’s Rob Butler.

Last year, Salt Lake City, UT-based sailor and New York Yacht Club member, Sandra Askew raced her C&C 30, Flying Jenny, in STIR. “I love St. Thomas. Races are run very well. I’d like to support STIR 2020 if I can,” says Askew, who has since purchased a new IC37.

Participants can bring their own boat (BYOB) or charter. Chartering makes it easy to fly in, jump on a race-ready yacht and set sail. Over half dozen outfits are offering vessels to charter either by the boat or crew spot for STIR 2020.

Event Details – www.stthomasinternationalregatta.com

Source: Carol Bareuther, Event Media