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THE CREW Managing Editor
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Advertising Production Colin Rathbun & Nick Cunha Advertising Sales
letter from the editor
Owen Waters :: owen@alookingglass.com
Welcome to the Yacht Guide April issue.
Graphic Design Richard George & Nick Cunha
If only we could take the teamwork of sailing as an analogy to combat what is now a global
Executive Producer Colin Rathbun, aLookingGlass Publishing colin@alookingglass.com For additional information contact Nick Cunha or Colin Rathbun at aLookingGlass or visit www.bviyg.com aLookingGlass #7 Road Reef Plaza, P.O. Box 3895 Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands t 284.494.7788 f 284.494.8777 www.alookingglass.com | info@alookingglass.com
Owen Waters
Copy Production Owen Waters & David Blacklock
recession. With many hands on deck working together, then hoisting the sails and setting course to optimize the conditions at hand. From an island point of view, this is what we strive for – to help each other at all times and in storms to weather them. In this issue we bring you what seems to be the triumph of the spirit in adversity. A tale of two champions in the making, the windsurfer Finian Maynard and the young sailor Alec Anderson both paving their own legends and representing the BVI at every step. We also bring you tales of the reverse effect on the Islands in the form of crime. Random acts of violence targeted at yachtsmen or visitors cut short in their prime of life are sensitive and unfortunately rumors spread like wildfire s if to blacken everything the islands represent. It is important to remember that the random acts of violence are indiscriminate and it is the yachting fraternity at large that stands in protest and Vigilate, our territory's motto has never been more prevalent as in these times to be watchful, careful.
On the Cover: Finian Maynard
As to the season, it still goes strong and moves forward on course as does the ocean and the life below and above it.
Photo by Armando Jenik. See you on the water, and remember, our beaches and the water are free as is the wind that blows over it – enjoy it,
aLookingGlass Ltd., publisher of the BVI Yacht Guide, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content placed in its publications. For the avoidance of doubt, aLookingGlass gives no warranty or guarantee in regards to any information placed in its publications. The BVI Yacht Guide and its contents are the intellectual property of aLookingGlass Ltd. Neither this magazine nor any part of it may be reproduced without written permission from aLookingGlass Ltd.
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Owen Waters
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Contact us: 284 444 4444(Tortola) or 284 495 5639(Virgin Gorda)
9 CSI BVI: Crime: Should Yachties Worrie?
14 Finian Maynard: A BVI Champion
16 Shoreside Review: The Watermark
18 EDGE: BVI Sailors Compete at Laser Midwinters East
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contents Skipper's Tips: Stopping the Flopping 8 Rolling around in a greasy anchorage with the wind from one quarter and the swell from another, now that sucks! There are several busy anchorages that suffer from this problem: Cooper Island usually is at the top of anyone's list. But St Thomas Bay outside of Spanish Town is another as is White Bay on JVD. The overall champ has to be the anchorage just outside the Wickham's Cay breakwater in Road Harbour. Not for nothing is it known to the charter crews as Seasick Bay. CSI BVI: Crime: Should Yachties Worrie? 9 The recent tragedies in Antigua and Puerto Rico involving professional yacht crew—in Antigua, Captain Drew Gollan was shot and killed while trying to protect his wife and child from a robbery, while in Fajardo, PR, Chef Sara Kuszak was abducted and murdered while out jogging—led to a flurry of outrage and concern among the Caribbean's boating community. The news that Ms Kuszak was five months pregnant only added to the indignation. Tsunamis in the Caribbean Sea 12 In February, a team from the United States Geological Survey studied the over-wash of Anegada’s north shore beaches to determine if tsunamis are a potential threat at sites of proposed nuclear power plants on the U.S. Atlantic Coast, according to a news release from the BVI Department of Disaster Management. Whether or not they are a cause of the over-wash, tsunamis have hit the Caribbean in the past. Finian Maynard: A BVI Champion 14 It’s not easy to understand what makes a champion, whether it is the triumph of the spirit when all is lost or an utter determination to win and be true at all costs. Finian Maynard is a BVI champion, defined by the characteristics of a lot more than simply, local boy made good. Shoreside Review: The Watermark 16 Under the same ownership as the Dove and its adjacent bar the Barfly, Watermark is fine dining on Tortola at its best. Fine detailing has brought fresh vitality into this waterside restaurant at Frenchman's Cay. Catering to all, the Watermark boasts some of the finest cuisine and wines on Tortola and oozes precision. EDGE: BVI Sailors Compete at Laser Midwinters East 18 Coming off the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, many sailors choose to part from the respective classes they race in or take on new challenges elsewhere. Some, who may not have qualified in 2008, will look towards 2012 in London; while the ones who have competed may look to attend again four years down the road. With 2009 being year one of the fouryear cycle until the next games, it is always interesting to see which athletes decide to stay and which decide to go. Yacht Charter and Broker Directory 20 Look here for the most up-to-date Yacht Charter and Broker Directory. It's a great place to start if you're looking to buy or charter a yacht in the BVI.
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SKIPPER’STIPS
by David Blacklock
Stopping the Flopping Use an Anchor Bridle to Keep Your Boat From Rolling Rolling around in a greasy anchorage with the wind from one quarter and the swell from another, now that sucks! There are several busy anchorages that suffer from this problem: Cooper Island usually is at the top of anyone's list. But St Thomas Bay outside of Spanish Town is another as is White Bay on JVD. The overall champ has to be the anchorage just outside the Wickham's Cay breakwater in Road Harbour. Not for nothing is it known to the charter crews as Seasick Bay. While it is very difficult to completely eliminate the discomfort of rolling around all night like a trainee astronaut looking for a zero G-spot, there are some tricks you can use. One possibility is to set up some kind of flopper stopper device that creates resistance as the vessel rolls from side to side. Many power trawlers have a boom out to one or both sides with a sort of open crate or wooden slats that open as the boat rolls to that side and then close, creating resistance, as the boat rolls back up. Some sailboats hang an anchor
the wind is generally from a steady direction and there and a big pile of chain off to one side and held out is little current. Where there is current you run the by a whisker pole, to act as a counter-balance, though risk of fouling the bridle and uprooting your anchor. there is the risk of getting tangled. A similar method is simply to run an anchor from A better method, one that can be used when midships or the aft quarter off to one side or the anchoring or taking a mooring, and whether on a other and pull the vessel around so that it sits cocked mono or a cat, is to run a bridle from the anchor to the swell and not to the wind. This does mean chain aft to a midships or even a stern cleat. Be sure you have a fair bit to let out masses of of ground tackle slack anchor chain after you've attached By adjusting the tension on the bridle, laid out which may inconvenience your the bridle—especially you can pull the vessel around to neighbours. It is also on a catamaran, so where it is sometimes beam-to the wise to consider that the chain won't rub you present a good against the bottom of wind but bow-to the swell amount of windage the windward hull. By should the breeze adjusting the tension pipe up in the night, increasing the possibility of on the bridle, you can pull the vessel around to dragging. You might have to keep an anchor watch, where it is sometimes beam-to the wind but bow-to but then the rest of the crew can sleep while only the swell. Use a rolling hitch to attach a long dock one or two crew are up and keeping an eye (or more line (if necessary, tie a couple of lines together for likely dozing in the cockpit.) Just remember, without length) and then run it back to a cleat or through a taking such remedial moves, every one of you would chock amidships. You might even need to grind it in be up and feeling froggy—all green and croaky. YG on a winch. This is effective in the Caribbean where
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APRIL 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
by David Blacklock
CSI BVI CRIME: Should Yachties Worry? The recent tragedies in Antigua and Puerto Rico involving professional yacht crew—in Antigua, Captain Drew Gollan was shot and killed while trying to protect his wife and child from a robbery, while in Fajardo, PR, Chef Sara Kuszak was abducted and murdered while out jogging—led to a flurry of outrage and concern among the Caribbean's boating community. The news that Ms Kuszak was five months pregnant only added to the indignation.
Of course, the fact that both these victims were yacht crew was incidental to their fate— they could just as easily have been airline crew or librarians on holiday—and did nothing to diminish the impact of the crimes. The shock was amplified too by the fact that such events are virtually unknown here in the BVI. An occasional dinghy theft, one documented (and vicious) assault aboard a bareboat, a welldocumented robbery or two over the past few years add up to not very much in the overall picture of crime in the BVI. Recently, though, armed robbers accosted victims in Road Town and at Brewer's Bay campground in what may be related incidents. The fact that robbers with handguns can feel emboldened to commit robberies
in busy areas—one robbery took place as diners walked from Le Cabanon restaurant to the Village Cay marina—is a sign of a deteriorating security situation. The factors that make the BVI such an ideal cruising ground—many of the islands are only lightly inhabited, there is no “boat boy” culture so prevalent further south, the charter community doesn't get to mingle much with the community at large—also make it generally a safe and secure destination for boaters. Add to that the status of the BVI as one of the world's wealthiest nations with strict immigration controls and little functional poverty, and the conditions for criminal mischief are greatly reduced, though the situation seems to be changing. Should yachtsmen and women be concerned about safety in the BVI? Does the recent news from
neighbouring islands offer a harbinger of trouble to come? As far as the charter business goes, according to Tim Schaaf, president of the BVI Charter Yacht Society, “whenever a story involves yachties it always gets attention.” Addressing the larger issue of crime and security on boats in the BVI, Schaaf said that things didn't seem any worse now than, say, a year ago. “There always seems to be a rash 'of events' then it settles down again,” he told the BVIYG. One victim who has experienced such an event first-hand is Captain Doug of charter yacht Mustang Sally who has had his dinghy stolen not once but twice since Christmas, “The first time it was stolen in Jost Van Dyke and we found it in Red Hook (St. Thomas),” Doug told BVIYG recently. “The second time it was stolen from the boat in Red Hook and
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Many charter companies confine their warnings we found it on the dinghy dock in St. John,” he said. to Cane Garden Bay, which was the scene of a series While admitting that these thefts were more likely of boat thefts last year. Prompt action by police and ones of convenience—somebody wanting to get the local community however led to the recovery of from, say, Foxy's to St. Thomas late at night—Doug much of the stolen property. Both CGB and Trellis said they were still hugely inconvenient and costly. Bay have implemented some version of a community These days he locks the dinghy at every opportunity. watch to deal with any problems that arise around Such events often get reported in online message the Full Moon parties that take boards such as traveltalkonline. place each month—CGB being com or the charter crews' the preferred anchorage for own Internet group and then If you were staying in a visitors heading to the Bomba filter out into the general hotel would you lock the Shack in Apple Bay. population, growing and Of course dinghy theft and, less changing as the story spreads. door when you went out? often, boat robbery do occur Occasionally the same event and can be real problems spawns myriad versions of in the BVI. But, Tim Schaaf asks “How many times itself. A single instance of multiple dinghy theft in do hotel rooms or villas get robbed? Do we ever Soper's Hole a couple of years ago has morphed hear about those?” Horizon Yacht Charters Henry into an epidemic of dinghy skulduggery in the telling and re-telling. “Guests are reading a lot of stuff online,” Leonning echoed Schaaf by saying he asks guests, “If you were staying in a hotel would you lock the door Penny Compton of TMM told BVIYG. “The problem when you went out? A boat's no different.” is, a lot of it is misinformation,” she said. “Recently a When asked about the advice TMM gives to its group of guests were concerned about all the crime guests, Penny Compton said they offer warnings on Anegada and were sorry they weren't going to about Cane Garden Bay and require that guests go there. It was only when they started talking about secure their dinghies with the lock and cable provided banking scandals that we realized they were really for that purpose. Voyage Yacht Charters likewise talking about Antigua, not Anegada.”
advise their guests to lock dinghies and to lock all hatches and doors, particularly when in CGB, even during the day. Voyage's Alice Downing told BVIYG that guests “are surprised when we tell them to lock their dinghies. They aren't expecting any trouble here in the BVI.” While emphasizing security, “we try not to scare them,” she said. That popular anchorage was also on the mind of one other charter company that preferred to remain anonymous, saying only that they didn't recommend guests go to Cane Garden Bay at all, but if they did so, to lock the boat and hide valuables. Ironically, it was our report last year on a robbery in Cane Garden Bay, in which a charter yacht lost a number of electronic items—laptop, cameras, as well as several thousand dollars in cash—that received much criticism on traveltalkonline, where posters went so far as to question the existence of the charter captain referred to in that story and imply that the whole story was a fabrication. Now, there are some in the BVI, particularly those involved in the hospitality business, who would prefer that the subject of crime not be broached so as not to disturb tourists—a sort of “not in front of the children” approach which would leave the discussion entirely in the realm of gossip and speculation.
"If you are staying in a hotel, do you lock the door if you go out?"
Don't expect trouble, but be careful either way
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APRIL 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
the dinghy,” Schaaf said “otherwise everyone will The fact that Cane Garden Bay has been singled know when you're off the boat. Remember, most out by the various charter companies can't bode well hatches can be locked, and they should be,” he said, for business there (and we will address the specific “and never use the VHF to make dinner reservations, issue of CGB in an upcoming issue) although there use a cell phone instead,” when has been concern about the in such anchorages as Cane area for some time. A couple prepare for the worst Garden Bay or Trellis Bay, years ago, the Moorings donated whilst still expecting particularly at Full Moon. “We a rather nice centre-console always leave lights on and dinghy to the residents of CGB the best out of the BVI the radio playing,” Schaaf said, to use in policing the mooring laughing, “and we try to keep field there but it seems to in mind an old cruisers' rule—never invite anybody have disappeared down the rabbit hole, as so many expensive dinghies do. We asked the Moorings about aboard who doesn't have as nice a boat as you do.” Other recent events in Antigua—this time the content of their briefings to charter guests and centred around malfeasance in the banking sector— were told that they make no specific warnings about have led to widespread concern about profound specific destinations. Neither does that company economic disruption there, as the Stanford Bank issue cables or locks to secure dinghies. Fellow Tui ceases business whilst under investigation. Should Marine brand, Sunsail, used to issue cables and locks similar disruptions occur here and result in large when they were an independent company but that levels of unemployment and extreme reactions by practice seems to have stopped. One of the Sunsail desperate people, then we can expect all kinds of chart briefers told BVIYG that they issue no special changes in the levels of crime and criminal activity. warnings about particular destinations. In the meantime, the best advice seems to be to The Charter Yacht Society's Tim Schaaf prepare for the worst whilst still expecting the best recommends three courses of action to maintain out of the BVI. This way you may be surprised but security. “It's contrary to regulations, but I believe let's hope you won't be disappointed. YG you should never put the name of your yacht on
Remind yourself the real reason you are here
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There are significant natural warning signs that will notify us of a tsunami - it is important to have this information, considering we live in a potential impact zone
Tsunamis In the Caribbean Sea
In February, a team from the United States Geological Survey studied the over-wash of Anegada’s north shore beaches to determine if tsunamis are a potential threat at sites of proposed nuclear power plants on the U.S. Atlantic Coast, according to a news release from the BVI Department of Disaster Management. Whether or not they are a cause of the over-wash, tsunamis have hit the Caribbean in the past. According to a 2007 National Geographic News article, 37 known tsunamis have struck the Caribbean since 1498, resulting in a total of approximately 9500 deaths. While the Caribbean waits for an official warning system, slated to be in effect by 2010, there are also several natural warning signs and safety tips for those on land and sea. The Caribbean Detection System According to Lorna Inniss, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit in Barbados, a real-time monitoring and detection system is crucial. “So,” she says, “we are developing a seismic and a sea-level network, using instruments within the region that meet the standards of the system.” Dr. Inniss also stresses the importance of communication in the case of a tsunami, “not just from the warning center to the countries but from the national warning focal
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Caribbean Tsunami Information Center which is points to vulnerable communities.” This small-scale currently being hosted by Barbados. communication is the responsibility of individual countries to “determine their own communications Natural Warning Signs protocols that will be followed in the event of such a Even if a proper warning communications and rapid onset event.” detection system is in place, it is also important to be The Global Telecommunications System of the aware of the natural World Meteorological warning signs. Organization is If you feel an earthquake of that One common the system to be implemented. Dr. magnitude, relocate to higher ground warning sign is an earthquake—not the Inniss informs us and stay there for several hours little tremors that that “more than 90% we’ve felt in the BVI of our Caribbean over the past few months, though. The earthquake countries have this system in place, and all have has to be strong enough that you have a difficult access to information from this system.” On March time standing up. If you feel an earthquake of that 16, the fourth session of the Intergovernmental magnitude, relocate to higher ground and stay there Coordination Group is being held in Martinique to for several hours. Waves can take hours to reach the determine some of the final details concerning the
APRIL 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
locals at one beach and a 10-year old British student shore after an earthquake. Additionally, tsunamis are who had just studied tsunamis in geology class who not a single wave, but a series of waves, so you are pointed out the signs at another beach. not in the clear after the first wave has retreated. In Tsunamis do sometimes actually roar. Of the 2006 the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, it was the third tsunami in Indonesia, The Age newspaper reported wave that caused the most damage, and smaller survivors claiming to hear a roar like a jumbo jet, a tsunami waves continued to hit the shores for the waterfall, and “a stampede of buffaloes.” Others have remainder of the day. reported it to sounding like a freight train. If water retreats so far away that you can see the If any of these signs occur, ascend to higher sea floor, run to higher ground immediately. This is ground and contact others who you feel may be in a common sign of a tsunami, but according to the danger to do the same. National Geographic article, “a receding ocean may give people as much as five minutes’ warning to Sailor Safety evacuate the area.” Unfortunately, during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, this phenomenon caused many While people on the shore are advised to seek higher children in Sri Lanka to investigate the exposed ocean ground, the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends floor. Melissa Block on NPR’s All Thing Considered that sailors head reported that “the for deeper waters, waters had pulled the requirement for public education and at least 100 back and a number fathoms, where of fish had landed awareness cannot be stressed enough tsunami waves are on the beach, and smaller. If a tsunami kids had gone warning has been issued, do not return to harbour. down to collect the fish and that may explain partly The waves are often imperceptible at open sea at least why the death toll among children is so high.” while port facilities may be unsafe. Do not return to But knowledge of this warning sign also saved lives in Thailand where some beaches were evacuated before harbour until you are certain that conditions are safe. Remember—this could be several hours after the the tsunami roared to shore, thanks to a biology first warning signs. teacher from Scotland who warned tourists and
Additionally, locations surrounding streams and rivers feeding into the sea should be avoided because the water can surge in these areas as well. Educate Dr. Inniss asserts that “the requirement for public education and awareness cannot be stressed enough.” Educate yourself and others about the tsunami warning signs and procedures. The US Geological Survey may find another cause for the over-wash, but their presence reminds us that all coastal areas are vulnerable to tsunami activity. YG
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Finian, West Point, Anegada, February 2009. Photos by Armando Jenik
Finian Maynard It’s not easy to understand what makes a champion, whether it is the triumph of the spirit when all is lost or an utter determination to win and be true at all costs. Finian Maynard is a BVI champion, defined by the characteristics of a lot more than simply, local boy made good.
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A BVI Champion
Stepping on to a windsurfer at the age of six, Finian's discipline has never changed as it has been all about the windsurfer and the man who is driving it. Within the sport itself he has taken it to levels that were seemingly untouched before. All of Finian's world records are sailing records that have been broken on a windsurfer, notably the world speed record that broke the 11-year record of the boat Yellow Pages in 2004. It was this achievement that brought Finian to the world’s attention as a speed champion, hailing from the BVI. It would then be an assumption that this is one of the windiest places and that the drive and training for that speed is prevalent here. The BVI does not have trades of 30 knots plus on a regular basis, more like 15 knots, but it was Finian's Caribbean racing that gave him the stepping stone
APRIL 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
by Owen Waters
to reach further afield. In Europe and the Americas, simply due to the sheer mass of people in the sport, there are several classes of discipline to break through to achieve status. The islands are made up of self-regulating associations to attempt to achieve the same stepping stones. Finian's first taste of glory was winning the Caribbean men’s championships in St. Croix, age fourteen. From there to eventually the PWA world tour, which he now competes still in the disciplines of slalom and speed. Spending his time between BVI, Hawaii and Europe you might say he has it made, but it’s all still in the making. The world speed record was taken back by kite surfers ( at 50.57 knots) and in true spirit, the windsurfers of the world with Finian as a proven contender – want it back. Recently on a photo shoot in Anegada, there are many locations in the BVI to windsurf which Finian cites as probably the sailing capital of the world, not
Island tows are by dinghy and not by jetski, as is the case with other big wave locations
Finian Maynard • Born in Dublin, Ireland on November 22nd, 1974 • Moved to the BVI in 1979 with parents Angelika Maynard (Resident) and Mike Burrill (BVIslander) • Went to school at St. Georges and 'The Group' (now Cedar School) in Tortola and Antilles in St. Thomas • Sailing under the BVI flag for 23 years since age 11, when all 100 miles of the HIHO were completed in 1986 • Turned part-time professional at age 15 after winning the men's Caribbean Championships in St. Croix at young age of 14. Member of the PWA World Cup as a full-time professional at age 18 • The only individual sailor to break four ISAF sanctioned WSSRC sailing speed records in history. Three 500 meter world records - 46.24, 46.82 & 48.70-knots. Nautical mile world record - 39.97-knots • 6 windsurfing world titles in the speed and slalom disciplines. 23 career Top-3 World Cup podium finishes
just the Caribbean. As a small collection of islands that are safe to travel to and from whilst enjoying great times, the roots of sailing are all still here and he remembers some of his buddies that he used to train with who are still here, still sail and spend time on the water. To the youth and aspiring athlete, the question is really how do you get from the dream to the reality of being an international champion? Finian cites it as a determination , when everything feels lost , “ it was frustrating to really get through in windsurfing and I spent a lot of time lost and trying to get better, but most of that time growing up was spent on the water doing it and then off the water thinking about it.” Currently he recognizes the kit in today’s world has never been better or easier to use, with such a wide range. As in
How do you get from the dream to the reality of being an international champion? all sports, the ability for the professionals to use production models creates a grounding of the sport and a level that is realistic. In the past, windsurfing has gone through major upheavals and economy and marketing has helped it but also burnt it out. These days equipment is of the biggest user range possible and several schools here on the island promote that. Though some will be drawn to competing, that is not necessarily the end goal. The BVI has many aspects of sailing; the disciplines chosen are supported by the whole sailing community. With Finian Maynard in windsurfing, he has taken and maintains a level of sportsmanship and dedication that is proudly backed by one of his main sponsors – the BVI Tourist Board. He is one of the few that has as much determination aged six, as aged thirty four, now with a family of his own. YG
2009 Schedule March 1 - April 10 May 5 - 10 May 16 - 22
Maui, Hawaii
Training and photoshooting
Podersdorf, Austria
PWA World Cup Slalom
Ulsan, Korea
PWA World Cup Slalom
Costa Brava, Spain
PWA World Cup Slalom
June 18 - 25
Rodrigues, Mauritius
ISWC Speed World Cup
July 10 - 19
Gran Canaria, Spain
PWA World Cup Slalom
July 22 - 27
Fuerteventura, Spain
PWA World Cup Slalom
Karpathos, Greece
ISWC Speed World Cup
Cesme, Turkey
PWA World Cup Slalom
Reggio Calabria, Italy
PWA World Cup Slalom
June 9 - 14
July 31 - August 5 August 10 - 15 September 5 - 12 Sep. 25 - Oct. 4 Oct. 20 - Dec. 20
Sylt, Germany
PWA World Cup Slalom Finale
Saintes Maries, France
WSSRC world record attempt (TBC)
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Shoreside Review by Owen Waters
The elegance of Watermark from outside. . .
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. . .and from within
APRIL 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
Under the same ownership as the Dove and its adjacent bar the Barfly, Watermark is fine dining on Tortola at its best. Fine detailing has brought fresh vitality into this waterside restaurant at Frenchman's Cay. Catering to all, the Watermark boasts some of the finest cuisine and wines on Tortola and oozes precision. Scott Hart is relaxed and focused on the evening’s reservations as he sips coffee on one of the outside chairs by the pool. Warm trades blow with a view of the channel whilst we talk over the Mediterranean-based menu. The ambiance seems other worldly. His chef, Todd Howard trained under Gordon Ramsey at the Connaught, and under Heston Blumenthal at the Fat Duck in London. Here there is, however, little shouting. We both smile; its Tortola – how could there be? The menu changes weekly and all protein is imported with fine seafood flown in daily from Boston. Sous Vide techniques savor all preparations and keep the flavor in all of the foods on site. Though the menu changes weekly, it stays within its strong Mediterranean feel and good groundings of meat, fish and game. Intense and delicate preparation gives way to a myriad of flavors and is served proudly. You may teeter your fork over the plate as it arrives,
as it becomes a bittersweet experience to devour the decadence. With a team of eighteen strong, the fusion is focused and directed, perfected. As for drinks, again the preparation is everything. Each cocktail is prepared with freshly squeezed ingredients and the house boasts a wide selection of international rums. This is the old way of making cocktails and the sweet taste is a labor of love! New age wines are brought in from California, Spain, Italy and France. Scott pays close attention to offering the perfect wine pairings. Ambiance is set with a strong stone mason finish throughout the property and the steps up to the restaurant give a feeling of walking on stage, the scene to be played out by local residents or the inquisitive visitor. This is the treat you deserve or the treat for your loved ones. Watermark is open Tuesday through Sunday, six till ten and serves Sunday brunch by the pool or in the restaurant. As part of Frenchmans Resort, guests can enjoy the beach and the beautifully landscaped gardens and spend the evening or day, relaxing in paradise. The resort and restaurant are also open for functions, including beach weddings and Christmas parties. YG
STARTERS Beets Roasted and marinated purple and golden beet root salad, goat cheese mousse raspberry candied walnut vinaigrette Hamachi Tograshi seared carpaccio, sous vide marinated melon, vegetable confetti jalapeno and yuzu gelee, sake soy caramel Sweetbreads; Foie Gras Roast sweetbreads, tempered terrine of foie gras, caramelized pear chocolate brioche croutons, port lime reduction
Lamb Slow roasted rack of lamb, braised leg of lamb, coffee gnocchi grilled asparagus, oven dried tomatoes, dark chocolate jus Beef Grilled Black Angus rib eye, fondant fingerling potatoes, fricassee of celery root and portabella mushroom, short rib jus, red wine pearls etc. . . DESSERT Ice Tasting of ice creams and sorbets Chocolate Three Ways Chocolate mousse, coffee pot de crème, white chocolate brownie, spiced Brazil nuts
etc. . . MAINS Ravioli;Truffle Truffled leek and potato ravioli, truffle baby arugula salad, truffle beurre blanc Parmigiano Reggiano
Honey Mascarpone Canelloni Citrus panacotta, lemon vodka sauce etc. . .
Daily Champagne Happy-Hour 5-7
Delectable French/Asian cuisine & the BVI’s largest wine list
67 Main Street Road Town
RSVP 494 0313
Call about our stay and sail packages 1.284.494.8811 l www.frenchmansbvi.com
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE APRIL 2009
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by Owen Waters
EDGE
BVI Sailors Compete at Laser Midwinters East Coming off the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, many sailors choose to part from the respective classes they race in or take on new challenges elsewhere. Some, who may not have qualified in 2008, will look towards 2012 in London; while the ones who have competed may look to attend again four years down the road. With 2009 being year one of the fouryear cycle until the next games, it is always interesting to see which athletes decide to stay and which decide to go. Over the 19th—22nd of February, the 2009 Laser Midwinters East took place in Clearwater Beach, Florida.This marked one of the first Laser regattas for the 2009 North American season. It showed who from the area and abroad was back from 2008, as well as back from the recent Olympic Games, to compete in the Laser Radial and Laser Standard, two of the ten classes that make up sailing in the Olympic Games. The field of competitors ran deep with Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) and Lisa Ross (Canada), both Female Laser Radial representatives in the Beijing Olympics, taking part in the event. Anna is the 2008 Female Laser Radial World Champion as well as a Beijing Olympic Gold Medallist. The class also had Paige Railey,
2005 and 2006 Female Laser Radial World Champion, into the final two days, BVI sailor Alec Anderson put up five results in the top ten to sit in twelfth in the racing in the field of 110 sailors. The Laser 4.7 field Gold Fleet. On day two in the Laser 4.7, DonTae also saw up-and-coming Laser stars from different Hodge earned two top-three finishes, placing third states in the US. The 2009 BVI Youth Sailing team competed in both overall, and BVI’s Inigio Collins was in thirteenth out of the 15-boat class. the Laser Radial Class as well as the Laser 4.7 Class. Days three and four brought a mix of light, shifty The first two days of competition saw conditions conditions that ranging from light resulted in large wind to heavy 20The first two days of competition saw inconsistencies 22 knot breezes within the fleet. and a large swell. conditions ranging from light wind to heavy At the top of the The Laser Radial 20-22 knot breezes and a large swell Laser Radial fleet, class was split into Lisa Ross (Canada), two divisions, Gold Paige Railey (USA) and Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) battled Fleet (top half overall) and Silver Fleet (bottom half it out with Netherlands sailor Ben Kopplear for the overall), after five races had been completed. Going
Jost van Dykes
Preservation Society “Jost van Dykes Community-based Programme Advancing Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development” United Kingdom
funded primarily by
Overseas Territories Environment Programme
Contribute to our Environmental Information Centre and Protect the natural environment of Jost van Dyke. Sign up for our electronic newsletter via email. t: (284) 540-0861 | (284) 540-7428 e: projco@jvdps.org w: www.jvdgreen.org | www.jvdps.org
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APRIL 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
DonTae Hodge staying warm and maintaining his cool
Alec Anderson, 4th place overall
Upcoming Races Opti South Americans (Equador)
2-12 Apr
RYA Youth Championships & Trials (UK)
6-11 Apr
BVI Dinghy Champs (Tortola) Holmberg Racing Masterclass (Tortola)
2-3 May 10-17 May
ScotiaBank International Clinic (St.Thomas) 22-24 Jun ScotiaBank International Regatta (St.Thomas) 25-28 Jun Laser Radial, Standard North Americans, Buffaloe
top four spots. Going into the final day, the fourth through fourteenth positions were separated by a small margin of 19 points. Alec Anderson went into the final day sitting ninth overall in the Gold Fleet. DonTae Hodge dropped an “over early” start which meant he scored last plus one point, to drop down to seventh. On the final day, three races were held in tricky, light conditions with strong currents which made the course a difficult challenge for the sailors. The Laser 4.7s finished with two races in the day, and BVI’s DonTae Hodge finished eighth overall with teammate Inigo Collins in thirteenth overall. In the Laser Radial Class, many sailors within the top 14 scored their worst race of the series which caused them to drop in the standings. Alec Anderson boasted a sixth and a tenth in the first two races of the final day, leaving him in sixth overall before the final race. In order to move into the fourth spot, Alec needed to score a top-three finish as well have both competitors above him who were in fourth and fifth to score worse than fifteenth in the race. An incredible start to the final
race left Alec in second at the first mark and both of his competitors in the deep 20’s. Alec went on to finish third in the race, resulting in the best race of his in the ten-race series. The two competitors who were in fourth and fifth going into the final race both scored worse than fifteenth, leaving Alec Andreson in fourth overall, and first Junior sailor out of the 110 sailors competing. Olympic Gold medallist Anna Tunicliffe finished second overall to Paige Railey and third place went to Ben Kopplear of the Netherlands. By finishing fourth, Alec earned one of his top international results to date and greatly improved on his finish of 28th overall at the same regatta last year. The 2009 BVI Laser Team was selected by sailors in December 2008 to focus on for training and competition. The team was accompanied by BVI Sailing Team coach Chris Watters from the Royal BVI Yacht Club. The Royal BVI Yacht Club is a member of the National Authority for the Sport of Sailing in the British Virgin Islands and works directly with the International Sailing Federation and the British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee. YG
Canoe Club (Ontario Canada) ISAF Youth Worlds (Brazil)
25-28 Jun 9-18 Jul
Opti North Americans (Dominican Republic) 4-12 Jul Radial Worlds, Youth, Male, Female (Japan)
1-10 Aug
Canadian Olympic Regatta Kingston (Kingston Ontario)
13-16 Aug
RBVIYC EVENTS: Laser and Optimist International Clinic, RBVIYC, Nanny Cay 2009 BVI Dinghy Champs, RBVIYC 6th Back To School Regatta 2009
15-21 Mar 9-10 May 5-6 Sep
BVI Schools Regatta X-Mas Camp 2009, RBVIYC
7 Nov 18-22 Dec
And if that's not enough, check out the forum on www.IC24.org for more weekly beercan racing action right off the southern end of Nanny Cay. IC24s are the new fad in racing and fast spreading to the rest of the Caribbean and North America.
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE APRIL 2009
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Footloose
est. 1995 | footloosecharters.com | (284) 494-0528 Fleet size: 55 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Roberson & Caine Year Make: 1997-2000 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
The Moorings
est. 1969 | moorings.com | (888) 416-8420 Fleet size: 290 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Leopard Year Make: 2001-2007 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls Yacht Brokerage: (284) 494-8864
Racing in Paradise
est. 2002 | racinginparadise.com | (284) 494-6781 Fleet size: 11 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): IC24 Year Make: Converted From J24 in 2003-2006 Type(s): One-Design Sailing Race Boats
Southern Trades
est. 1977 | southerntrades.com | (284) 494-8003 Fleet size: NA Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: Non-Specific Type(s): Non-Specific
est. 2002 | charterportbvi.com | (284) 494-7955 Fleet size: 80 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: 1923-2006 Type(s): Non-Specific
North South
est. 1970 | nsyv.com | (284) 494-0096 Fleet size: 42 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Catalina, C&C, Leopard, Island Spirit, Chienwha, Hershine, Nova Sundeck, Trader Year Make:1994-2003 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
Tortola Yacht Sales
est. 1965 | tysbvi.com | (284) 494-2124 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No Brand(s): Stamas, Contender, Angler Year Make: Non-Specific Type(s): Non-Specific Boats Sold/yr: 6 Number of Brokers: 1
Nautic Blue est. 2000 | nauticblue.com | (800) 416-0224 Fleet size: 11 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Robertson & Caine Powercats, Fontaine Pajot, Mainship, Carver Year Make: 2002-2007 Type(s): Power Cats and Monohulls BVI Yacht Charters est. 1974 | sailinthebvi.com | (284) 494-4289 Fleet size: 38 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Hunter, Lagoon, Leopards, Jeanneau Year Make: 1997-2006 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls Pro Valor Charters
est. 1993 | pvc@provalorcharters.com (284) 495-1931 Fleet size: 14 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau Fountaine Pajot, Island Spirit, Lagoon, Privilege Year Make: 1993 - 2006 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
est. 1991 | patouche.com | (284) 494-6300 No Charters Boats: Yes Fleet size: 6 Sells Boats: Bo Brand(s): Peter Spronk, Sea Ray, Privilege, Beneteau Year Make: 1976-2006 Type(s): Sail & Power Cats & Monohulls,
Sunshine Powerboats est. 2000
sunshinepowerboats.com (284) 494-8813 Fleet size: 5 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Contender, Bradley Year Make: 2004-2006 Type(s): Fast Powerboats
est. 1993 barecats@candwbvi.net (284) 495-1979 Fleet size: 10 Sells boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Fontaine Pajot, Lagoons, Leopards, Island Spirit, Robertson & Caine, Privilege, Voyages Year Make: 1997-2005 Type(s): Catamarans
Tortola Cane n Garden Maya Cove
Road Harbour Sunsail Nanny Cay
Soper’s Hole
see detail top right
est. 2007 | 123hulls.com (284) 499-0591 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: Non-Specificl Type(s): Non-Specific Number of brokers: 3
Voyage Yacht Charters
est. 1995 | voyagecharters.com (284) 494-0704 Fleet size: 23 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Voyage Year Make: 1997-2006 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
est. 1986 | charteryachtsales.com | (284) 494-4868 Fleet size: 46 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Leopard, Norseman, Island Spirit, Athena, Hunter Year Make: 1996-2004 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
BVI Yacht Vacations
est. 1998 | bviyachtvacations.com | (284) 499-2768 Fleet size: 1 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): 45’ Crewed Charter Yacht Year Make: 1998 Type(s): Sail & Cutter Ketch & Monohulls
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APRIL 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
est. 1974 | sunsail.com | (888) 416-8420 Fleet size: 170 Sells boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Fontaine Pajot, Robertson & Caine Year Make: 2001-2007 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls Yacht Brokerage: (284) 494-1000
Amazing Charters
est. 1941 | amazingcharters.com (284) 495-2647 Fleet size: 74 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: Non-Specific Type(s): Power/Sail, Mono/Multihull
Charter Yacht Society est. 1982 / bvicrewedyachts.com / 284-494-6017 / Fleet size: 70 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Types: Sailboat Cats, Monohulls and Power Yachts Non-profit for BVI crewed charter yachts. Hosts BVI Boat Show. TMM
est. 1987 | sailtmm.com | (800) 633-0155 Fleet size: 44 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Lagoon, Fontaine Pajot, Hunter, Jeanneau, Beneteau, Nautitech, Trader Year Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Powerboat and Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
Caribbean Images Tours Ltd. est. 1987 | snorkebvi.com (284) 496-7935 Fleet size: 4 Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Caribe, Ribtec, Atlantic Industries Year Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Powerboat - Ribs
Virgin Traders est. 1995 | virgintraders.com | (284) 495-2526 Fleet size: 17 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Horizon Year Make: 1997-2004 Type(s): Large Powerboats
Nanny Cay
Horizon Yacht Charters
est. 1998 | horizonyachtcharters.com | (284) 494-8787 Fleet size: 32 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Bavaria, Jeanneu, Beneteau, Fontaine Pajot, Lagoon Year Make: 2002-2007 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
Vacances Sous Voiles
est. 2004 | vacancessousvoiles.ca | (284) 499-1711 Fleet size: 3 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Bavaria Year Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Monohulls
est. 1981 | bviyachtsales.com | (284) 494-3260 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: 1976-2006 Type(s): Non-Specific Boats Sold/yr: 70 Number of Brokers: 3
Catamaran Charters
est. 1989 | catamarans.com | (800) 262-0308 Fleet size: 23 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Privilege, Lagoon, Fontaine Pajot Year Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
Island Time Ltd est. 2001 | islandtimeltd.com | (284) 495-9993 Fleet size: 10 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Contender, Caribe Year Make: 2006-2008 Type(s): Fast Powerboat and Dinghys King Charters est. 1990 | kingcharters.com | (284) 494-5820 Fleet size: 5 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Bradley Year Make: 1998-2007 Type(s): Fast Powerboat
Yacht Charter & Broker Directory The BVI Yacht Guide wants this list of Yacht Charter companies and Yacht Brokers to be as complete and accurate as possible. To this end, we will include your company’s details at no cost. If your company is not listed here or the description is incomplete, please contact us with the proper information.
Virgin Gorda
Sail Bravura
est. 2004 | sailbravura.com | (284) 443-2586 Fleet size: 1 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Hans Christian 48 Year Make: 1987 Type(s): Monohull Cutter
Double D Charters
The Valley
est. 1995 | doubledbvi.com | (284) 499-2479 Fleet size: 3 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Crowther, President Year Make: 1988-1980 Type(s): Catamaran Sailboat, Powerboat
Powerboat Rentals/Cruises est. 1987 | boatsbvi.com | (284) 495-5542 Fleet size: 7 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Logic, Sea Fox, Bertram, Riviera, Azimut Year Make: 1996-2002 Type(s): Fast Powerboats www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE APRIL 2009
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