The Royal British Virgin Islands Yacht Club hosted twelve IC
24s July 23rd and 24th for the IC 24 ‘Worlds’. Conditions on the
course outside of Road Harbour were ideal on Saturday – winds of 12 to 16 knots
with moderate chop. Sunday had slightly less winds and flatter sea conditions.
The crews had their hands full on Saturday with nine races and little more than
five minutes between each one.
On Sunday, six
races were started and completed just as timely, except for an adjustment to
one of the lower gates, which was reset due to a mark dragging. Saturday’s
results had Robbie Hirst leading with 22 points and St Thomas’ Chris Cuerreri
tied with Chris Rosenberg for second place with 23 points. Hot on their heels
were Andrew Walters and Mike Masters with 39 and 51 points respectively.
Come Sunday, a
different scenario unfolded with the leaders having to deal with a very
aggressive fleet not content to sit back. Walters was the leader in points
on Sunday’s racing, but fell short in the final tally. Masters managed to win
the first race Sunday even though he was badly fouled by Rosenberg at the
weather mark. The latter sailed the entire race and was disqualified by the
race committee for not sailing the course properly.
Congratulations
were given to Dr Robin Tatersall who celebrated his 75th birthday
Saturday. Although a late entry for the regatta, Dr. Tattersal put together a
pick-up crew Saturday morning, made some adjustments to his boat on Sunday and
managed to win two of the five races.
Excellent race
committee work all weekend by Chris Haycraft and his group made the regatta top
notch, with two courses being offered to the competitors, utilizing gates at
the windward and leeward marks. The second course had a windward mark with a
short off set reaching leg and a gate at the leeward end, with the finish line
a third up from the leeward gate.
Bravo to the yacht
club for hosting the regatta and putting on a Luau Saturday night with a pig
roast, live music, and dancing going till 4 am. Special thanks to the yacht
club’s employees and volunteers and protest committee who had a busy Sunday
afternoon. Next year, the BVI’s IC 24 fleet is expecting an even larger
International Regatta.
Final Results:
1st Brand New Secondhand (Chris Cuerreri)
2nd Mostly Harmless (Robby Hirst)
3rd Bambooshay (Chris Rosenberg)
