Spring Regatta Sails Again: Top BVI race attracts sailors from around the world
I have sailed in the BVI Spring Regatta on several occasions, finding it exhilarating and fun – even though my onboard specialty was providing cold bottles of water and beer to the hardworking crew, and leaving technical matters to the pros. But that’s the thing with the BVI Spring Regatta, all types of boats can participate, whether cruising boats, catamarans or state of the art racers. As one of the top racing events in the Caribbean, the Spring Regatta attracts local sailors, recreational yachtsmen (with a penchant for adventure), and an international coterie of top tier racing crew. In 2019, the BVI Spring Regatta celebrated its 48th year with over 100 boats competing in five intense and fun days of racing.
Then Covid struck and the event was postponed for two years, a major blow for its many avid participants.
That was then, but what about now? Following a challenging two years of lockdowns and quarantines, the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, the BVI’s premier sailing event, is back in action. The 49th annual competition will be held from March 28th to April 3rd, and nobody is more thrilled than Judy Petz, the Regatta’s director of the past 18 years.
I caught up with Judy in February to discuss the regatta’s 2022 edition. “It’s all about sailing this year,” said Judy who added that the sailors, “are thrilled to be returning after the previous two postponements.”
Things are definitely looking up for the Regatta. By February, the Moorings, Sunsail and BVI Yacht Charters, three of the BVI’s major charter boat operations who charter boats for the regatta, were sold out. Local interest is high and top racing boats have signed up. Judy is expecting 65 to 70 boats to race in the regatta, a good turnout after a disappointing two years. Previous events had seen over 100 boats racing but as Judy explained, we are planning on a “low key event this year due to the BVI’s covid restrictions.” This includes limits on the size of gatherings, and mask mandates in certain settings.
The race’s headquarters remains Nanny Cay, which with its full service marina, restaurants and large common areas has made it an ideal spot for hosting such a sizeable event. But because of the Territory’s Covid restrictions, the traditional after race partying has been modified with no outside sponsored food booths and entertainment. Instead, Nanny Cay is setting up multiple bars to keep people socially distanced, and Carib beer and Tito vodka will be sponsoring their own areas. Racers can pick up their daily race scores, and grab a bite to eat at the Nanny Cay Beach Bar, a large expanse of tables on the sand featuring a barbecue and a la carte menu. Or if they prefer, they can take a taxi to any of the BVI’s many restaurants specializing in local and international foods.
The Sailing Festival, which serves as a warm-up to the three-day Regatta, had been one of Judy’s innovations when she came onboard as director. Spring is prime racing season in the Caribbean and extending the event acted as a bridge between the Regatta and other area events like the Heineken Regatta in neighboring St. Maarten.
This year the Sailing Festival kicks off on Wednesday, March 30th with the Scrub Island Invitational Regatta, which will take sailors eastward to Virgin Gorda before finishing at Scrub Island Resort and Marina. The day will be capped off with a full roster of island food, drink and music. The next day, Racers head west to Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke, home of the BVI’s famed island troubadour. Here racers will get to experience, island life, Jost Van Dyke style, on one of the BVI’s most iconic and hospitable islands.
The Spring Regatta, three days of high caliber racing action, is the week’s main attraction. It will start on Friday, April 1st and end on Sunday the 3rd with an awards ceremony honoring winning boats and runner ups in the race’s many inclusive categories from cruisers to catamarans to high tech racers.
It takes a large and dedicated group of people to put on an event as comprehensive as the regatta, and Judy says she is very grateful to all the core volunteers who help with the event each year. After waiting two years to hold the 49th BVI Spring Regatta, she is anticipating a successful event with participants eager to be out on the water and sail the BVI’s waters once again. And what is equally exciting for Judy and all of her racer organizers, that once completed, the Regatta will be sailing onto its 50th celebration!
For more information on the BVI Spring Regatta including registration forms go to:
