Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI), November 12, 2010 — Hands down, the most exciting recent sailing trend to have swept North America and Europe is match racing’s meteoric surge in popularity. Now, in time for its 40th anniversary, the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival (March 28 to April 3, 2011) is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Gill to bring the Gill BVI International Match Racing Championship to its lineup. This invitational event, held from March 30 to 31, 2011 will feature eight teams racing in perfectly matched-up IC24s off the shore of Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
While every regatta has its stories, 40 years of history creates more than stories—it forges legends. One of the most exciting aspects of the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival’s ruby anniversary is the Gill BVI International Match Racing Championship, which is sure to generate plenty of rich legends, starting the moment the first gun is fired. “Gill is delighted to sponsor and be part of the 40th anniversary celebration,” said David Pritchard, president of Gill North America. “Gill’s involvement with the Spring Regatta is in our DNA and lines up with our love for the area and passion for the cruising and racing lifestyle.”
Gill’s involvement in the regatta is a tactical step as the brand is expanding into the Caribbean market, “It’s mostly a warm-water warm-air venue,” continues Pritchard. “When the going gets a little wet, I recommend an Inshore Sport IN7 FWG breathable waterproof jacket or Race Collection smock. Gill will have several 40th BVI Spring Regatta collection pieces available for sale online and during the regatta.”
The Inter Caribbean 24s—or IC24s in local parlance—is a class of modified J/24s that are endemic to the Caribbean. IC24s use oldJ/24 hulls and rigs, but with a significant twist. “We needed a platform to get active sailors into something that was economical,” says Chris Rosenberg, the co-inventor of the IC24 class. “We came up with the idea that if we put a Melges 24-style cockpit on a J/24, we’d have the perfect boat.” The result is a strict One Design boat that’s ergonomic, economic, and fun to sail. Because of this, the IC24 class consistently draws some of the top sailors in the entire Caribbean, making this one ultra-competitive class.
The event has been given Grade 3 status by ISAF, allowing international challengers to earn points towards their ISAF World Match Race Rankings . A professional race management team that includes Chief Umpire Tom Rinda and PRO Bill Canfield will ensure world-class competition and organization.
Photos courtesy of BVI Spring Regatta.
This being the 40th Anniversary of the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festiva, featured will be plenty of other great racing fun for sailors of all levels. The Sailing Festival, which is the traditional warm-up for the Spring Regatta,kicks off on Monday, March 28 with registration and Welcome Party at Nanny Cay Marina. The first leg is the Bitter End Cup, which races up the Sir Francis Drake Channel to the Bitter End Yacht Club, followed by a lay day full of fun activities, and then the Nanny Cay Cup race, which brings the fleet back down the channel to Nanny Cay. Sailors then switch gears, beginning Thursday night with the BVI Spring Regatta Mount Gay Rum Welcome Party, before getting down to the main event, the 40th Anniversary BVI Spring Regatta, which takes place from Friday, April 1 through Sunday, April 3, 2011.
Come and celebrate the 40 years of rich sailing history, tradition and fun that is the BVI Spring Regatta. Based on the range of events, the competition, the entertainment and the world-class sailing conditions, there’s no doubt that the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival’s 40th anniversary—along with the inaugural Gill BVI International Match Racing Championship—will be a legendary event.
Warm Water — Hot Racing. Guaranteed.
