The BVI Spring Regatta’s 50th Anniversary: A Remarkable Landmark for a Remarkable Race
By Claudia Colli
The BVI Spring Regatta celebrated its 50th year of racing with a successful event held from March 27th to April 2nd As promised, the anniversary was a remarkable landmark for a remarkable race. Today, the BVI is one of the world’s top sailing destinations and the Spring Regatta has been a key factor in promoting this sailing paradise. The event has brought some of the world’s top racers to the British Virgin Islands, and it’s not hard to persuade them to come again and again. The same gorgeous sailing waters sprinkled with 60 or so islands makes for both superb racing and cruising.
The first BVI Spring Regatta was held in 1972. There were maybe a dozen boats – a motley assortment of yachts owned by locals who had an itch for racing. There wasn’t even a yacht club yet, but sailing stalwarts including Albie Stewart, Peter Haycraft and BVI surgeon Robin Tattersall were among the earliest racers. At first it was a destination race. Contenders sailed from Road Town to Peter Island where they spent the night on their boats, or camped on the beach. There was rum, a barbecue and lots of joking around. The next day, the racers got up and raced back to Road Town. Another destination, Virgin Gorda, was added to spice things up.
It was a great formula and Robin Tattersall who has raced in just about every regatta in the last 50 years considers these early events with their casual planning and warm camaraderie, among the best. The next year, 1973, these and other local sailing enthusiasts formed the BVI Yacht Club (now the Royal BVI Yacht Club). The Yacht Club teamed up with the Hotel and Commerce Association to organize every Spring Regatta since.
I’ve raced on a variety of boats in the early years of the BVI Spring Regatta. Most were not very fast. But they were fun. The idea was to enjoy oneself and soak in the excitement of being part of the BVI’s most prestigious race. The most beautiful boat I sailed on in these early years was Sorcery, a sleek and elegant Sparkman and Stephens. It wasn’t the fastest boat in its class, but it kept a respectable pace, and the looks it received were worth the ride. It didn’t finish the last in its class, but certainly, not the first. An enthusiastic, but not skilled sailor, my primary job was to either be “rail meat” or flip the caps off the Heinekens – an important role in these early regattas where having fun was as important as winning.
As the years went by, the Regatta evolved. No longer a destination event, the regatta became moored to a single location. The Moorings in its new Wickhams Cay II premises hosted some of these early events. As the years went by the event has continued to evolve, increasing from two to three days of racing and eventually morphing into two events in one: The BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival – a full week of racing events and social activities.
As the number of entrants increased (with 100 or more entrants becoming common), it was time for the Regatta to move to more spacious surrounds. Nanny Cay Resort and Marina fit the bill nicely. Along its sandy shores there was plenty of space for multiple bars, a variety of food booths run by popular local restaurants, and a stage for entertainment.
Judy Petz has been the Spring Regatta’s director for the past 19 years. “It’s exciting to be part of this 50thanniversary celebration,” she said, emphasizing that the Regatta’s success is a community effort receiving support from island residents, the BVI Tourist Board and the government. Dozens of on the ground volunteers also contribute to the Regatta’s well-oiled machine, manning the bars, ticket booths and helping with cleanup.
This year the Regatta’s winning formula remained much the same. Held on March 28th, the Round Tortola Race, was the first race of the Sailing Festival and was followed by the Scrub Island Invitational sponsored by Scrub Island Resort Marina and Spa on the 29th. Thursday highlighted Marine Heritage and the BVI’s famed Tortola sloops. These restored boats were once the BVI’s premier form of marine transportation, carrying produce and livestock between islands.
The Spring Regatta got underway on Friday, March 31st with the Mount Gay Race Day, and continued through April 2nd for three intense days of competition in all. Saturday’s race, sponsored by the financial services company SHRM, continued the racing excitement. Spirits were high on Sunday the final day of the competition.
Each day was followed by food and entertainment at the Regatta Village where sailors let their hair down and kicked up their heels for multiple nights of fun. Saturday evening’s appropriately had a ’70s theme with a DJ spinning ’70s tunes.
Judy Petz has noted another 50-year milestone: Mount Gay Rum is the Regatta’s only 50-year sponsor. Neil Hayes, Managing Director of Road Town Wholesale, says he is happy to once again be on board with Mount Gay. “The regatta,” he noted, “is a tremendous event for the BVI, which is admired across the Caribbean and it’s a pleasure to continue to be involved.”
The Awards were handed out after racing on Sunday afternoon. Judy had extra special trophies to give out to the winners and a grand fireworks display rounded out the evening with a burst of color!
For more about the Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, including past events, photos, courses, classes:
And to register go to:
https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=15454
Their Facebook page is another good source for information
https://www.facebook.com/bvispringregatta
Watch the video of Dr. Robin Tattersall, Olympian and OBE who has sailed in the Spring Regatta for the past 50 years. Film by filmmaker, Corinne Walder.
For more Corinne Walder films go to
https://www.youtube.com/@CWdirector
