The 28th Sweethearts of the Caribbean Regatta
(the only all schooner regatta in the Caribbean), sponsored by Mt. Gay and Road
Town Wholesale and run by the West End Yacht Club, was most successful this
year. Held on Valentine’s weekend at the Jolly Roger, the combined fleet
comprised more than 50 entries – an all time high for the past decade.
According to Race Captain Mike Kirk, “The Sweethearts race had an off wind
course and winds of 15 to 19 knots. The fleet had ideal conditions to show
their graces over the 12-mile course out to Sandy Cay and back to
Soper’s Hole. The windward
return against the tricky current in the final approach had most boats lee rail
under for an exciting finish.” Robbie Hoyt’s 23 year-old St. John
schooner Snap took line honors in 1hr
57 minutes with Thomas Bradford’s 83ft Mary Rose, 80 year old
Herreshoff design,
only two minutes behind. Mary Rose
also received the Fletcher Pitts Memorial Trophy.
Following
the Sweethearts, 14 single-handers competed in a
staggered pursuit format. Winner Julian Davies brought
Tiger Maru across the line in 1hr 56
minutes hotly pursued by Marty Halpern in
Ruffian in 2nd. The race “Initiative
Award” of the day went to Eddie Brockbank who
sailed a Laser to 6th place. The ultimate single hander, he had the
race committee scrambling for the correct handicap.
On
Sunday, winds were gusting to 24 knots for the Classic Yacht Regatta, Wannabes
and the Valentines Couples race. Kirk reports, “With
31 entries from 25 ft to 50 ft the sailing instructions were amended to break
up the fleets to facilitate room on the start line. The windward/leeward course
to Pelican Island gave Robin Tattersall optimal
conditions to bring Diva over the line
in 2 hr 24mins. His spinnaker run down the channel was a delight to see. These
races continue to show the BVI is in the forefront of classic and contemporary boat sailing. The final
awards included a special presentation to WEYC “Sweetheart” Nancy
Terrell for her many years promoting the Club’s regatta program in the
Caribbean media.”
Results:
1st Place winners
Schooners: Class 3 – Seafari IV – Todd
Duff
Class 4 – Snap – Robby Hoyt
Class 5 – Mary Rose – Thomas Bradford
Single Handers: Tiger Maru –
Julian Davies
Classics: Class 1 – Nicola
II – Michael Boyce
Class 2 – Gerda K – Lianna Jarecki
Class 3 – Diva – Robin Tattersall
Class 4 – Ushuaia – Morgan MacDonald
Wannabes: Tempest – John Haravichet
Valentine Couples:
Island Rose – Mark Hale
