BVI Spring Regatta 2014 Guide by BVI Beacon

BVI Spring Regatta 2014 Guide INSIDE: Let the racing begin — pg. 4 Q&A with BVISR Chairman — pg. 9 Schedule — pg. 12 Supplement

Race courses — pg. 14

Page 2 | Thursday, March 27, 2014 | The BVI Beacon

BVISR Guide

Sailors unite: an introduction BVI Spring Regatta: The territory’s biggest sailing event

’d been sent to sea in a bathtub. Water leaked in to the small, tubby boat and began to cover my ankles as I passed by a much larger and more seaworthy vessel than my own. Port Jefferson harbour on the North Shore of Long Island was an active place in the middle of the summer: The mooring field was jam-packed, and a large ferry came and went every hour while tugboats wrestled with barges. I was 7 years old at the time — the captain of an Optimist, a small class of dinghies made for children. Water sloshed inside the boat, and for a brief moment I thought maybe my parents were trying to get rid of me when they signed me up for the daytime sailing camp run by the local yacht club. But I pushed the thought from my head, distracted by the need to keep bailing with the top half of a Clorox bottle fashioned into a scoop.

I’m reminded of my early days as a young harbour rat whenever I drive by Nanny Cay and see the fleet of Optimists zigzagging around in Sir Francis Drake’s Channel. Sailing an Opti as a kid is a memory some BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival participants, organisers or volunteers may share. When I interviewed BVISR Director Judy Petz for this guide, she spoke about her early, “tomboyish” memories of sailing and fishing with her dad and uncle in New Jersey. Alec Anderson, who hopes to sail in the 2016 Olympics, also spoke fondly of growing up a sailor, and racing Optimists in the Virgin Islands before moving on to Lasers and larger boats. More recently, he and teammate Chris Brockbank graduated to a 49er, a highperformance racing skiff they hope to bring to the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (see page 16).

I’ve enjoyed putting this material together, and speaking to some of the people who spend countless hours making sure the BVISR goes off each year without a hitch. People like Lou Schwartz, who has helped oversee the building of the regatta village for more than 10 years. By all accounts, he has it down to a ERIC VOORHIS • evoorhis@bvibeacon.com science, and has earned a distinctive title: “The Village Idiot.” of racing and sailing that make the Spring BVISR Chairman Bob Phillips, durRegatta unique, we also wanted to feature ing a Q&A, spoke passionately about some of the artists and musicians who sailing and racing in the VI, and perprovide the fantastic entertainment during fectly described why it remains the the event. “bareboat capital of the world.” (See I arrived in the territory on March 28, page 9). 2012, and quickly found myself at Spring We’ve tried to make this Spring ReRegatta, surrounded by good times and gatta guide entertaining and informative, good music while chomping down a delibut also useful. See the schedule and map cious roti — a great introduction to the on page 12 and 13 to find out what’s territory. going on in the regatta village throughout In the words of Mr. Phillips: “Sailors the week. Along with highlighting aspects just have a good time.”

BVISR Guide

All year long

Upcoming events and regattas in the Virgin Islands and around the region

The BVI Beacon | Thursday, March 27, 2014

KATS PREMIER’S CUP

YACHTING WORLD ROUND ANTIGUA

July (Date: TBA) The Kids and the Sea programme helps participants to learn basic skills in boat handling and safety, scuba diving, sailing, and swimming, according to the KATS website. This annual event is open to sailors from ages 10 to 18 from all over the Caribbean. Participants typically sail IC24s during the weekend regatta.

(Antigua Yacht Club) April 26, 2014

UPCOMING REGIONAL REGATTAS

BVI DINGHY CHAMPIONSHIPS

May 17-18, The Royal BVI Yacht Club will host this regatta. There is a $75 entry fee. Racing classes include Lasers, 420s, Optimists and IC24s. For more informations call 494-3286 or 5420352. Or visit www.royalbviyc.org for more information.

FOXY’S WOODEN BOAT REGATTA May 24-26, 2014 In 1974, Foxy Callwood and a few friends decided classic wooden boats should be featured in a race — and the regatta was born. At this point, some fibreglass boats are allowed to race, but they have to be more than 30 years old to qualify, according to Foxy’s website. Typically the event features plenty of live music at Foxy’s beach bar.

POKER RUN May 25, 2014 Start your engines. The Leverick Bay Poker Run is known for two things: boats and bikinis. The annual event, in which participating boats pick up a playing card at five different locations to make the best poker hand, has grown steadily over the years. During the event last year 180 boats participated. The Poker Run raised roughly $7,000 for VI charities.

VISAR SWIM THE SOUND June 1, 2014 Swimmers can choose either a two- or three-mile swim in this annual event that raises money for Virgin Islands Search and Rescue, the water rescue organisation of the Virgin Islands. Last year they also introduced a stand-up paddlboard race. For more information call 494-4357.

| Page 3

ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK (Antigua Yacht Club) April 27-May 2

LES VOILES DE ST. BARTHS YACHT CLUB

PUERTO RICO HEINEKEN INTERNATIONAL REGATTA

April 14-19, 2014-03-21

May 24-26, 2014

ANTIGUA CLASSIC REGATTA

ST. LUCIA DINGHY CHAMPIONSHIP

(Antigua Yacht Club) April 17-22, 2014

BEQUIA EASTER REGATTA (Bequia Sailing Club) April 17-21, 2014

GUADELOUPE TO ANTIGUA RACE (Deshaies to Antigua Yacht Club) April 25, 2014

(St. Lucia Yacht Club) June 13-15, 2014

ARUBA INTERNATIONAL REGATTA (Aruba Sailing Association) Aug. 15-17, 2014

MANGO BOWL REGATTA (St. Lucia Yacht Club) Dec. 26-27, 2014

Experience the BVI Spring Regatta from the most spectacular perspective or simply enjoy an angel’s view of paradise. Helicopter will based at Nanny Cay on Friday, Saturday and Sunday Scenic tours from $110 per person (Based on 4 guests)

For reservations contact us at: 441-7335 or fly@ahs-vi.com www.antilleshelicopterservices.com ** Easter Special – 15 % off Nature’s Kaleidoscope & Treasure Chest Tours, if booked at regatta.

Page 4 | Thursday, March 27, 2014 | The BVI Beacon

Let the racing begin

BVISR Guide

By ERIC VOORHIS

Director: Event gaining international support

ith the event rapidly approaching, space was beginning to disappear in the BVI Spring Regatta office near the lobby of the Nanny Cay Hotel earlier this month. “We’re starting to get a little boxed in at this point, as you can see,” said BVISR Director Judy Petz from behind her desk on March 11. A nearby conference table was piled high with cardboard boxes, TV monitors, promotional material, and race forms. Next to the desk were several bags Judy Petz filled with granola bars, cookies and chips. “We send out about 60 volunteers on the water each day,” Ms. Petz said, pointing toward the snacks. “That’s some of their personal fuel.” Ms. Petz has been organising the event for more than a decade. She first came to the territory 16 years ago, and initially volunteered as a race officer, “mostly so I could get out and watch my husband race,” she said. Helping to officiate some of the races kept her busy in those early IN THE EARLY 1 years. 980S, WHAT W EL L -KNOWN LOCAL “That’s hard SURGEON JO THE PROTEST INED work,” she said. COMMITTEE, O FFERING HIS “Sometimes it’s EXPERTISE A ND EXPERIE NCE FROM so fast and REGATTAS IN JUDGING THE UNITED STATES AND VEN furious. EZUELA? See answe It’s not r on page 2 3 . just sitting out in the sun reading a book.” With a background in marketing and public relations, Ms. Petz eventu-

Racing see page 5

A race gets under way during a previous BVI Spring Regatta.

Photo: TODD VANSICKLE

BVISR Guide

The BVI Beacon | Thursday, March 27, 2014

Racing

| Page 5

from page 4

ally became director of the Royal BVI Yacht Club, adopting some of the organisational duties of the BVISR, and, in 2003, she became the event’s full-time director. She was literally handed the job by a former organiser. “Just by chance, the gal who was organising it fell ill, and actually collapsed in my arms,” Ms. Petz recalled. “It was right on the bridge at Nanny Cay. And then the next person who came by was [BVISR Chairman] Bob Phillips. And I said, ‘Bob, I’m sending her home. I’m taking her clipboard and sending her home.’ And that was that.” Now in her 13th year of organising the event, Ms. Petz said she feels fortunate to be in the position, surrounded by so many helpful volunteers and sponsors each year. “My background is in public relations and event planning. And I love to sail,” she added. “I’m actually really lucky because I love what I do. And I have a tremendous group that I work with. We create stuff all the time. We make things up that we want to happen, and then we make it happen.”

Competitors in an IC24 compete during a previous BVI Spring Regatta.

Round Tortola

More than a decade ago, BVISR introduced a new concept to help fill the lull between the St. Thomas International Regatta and the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. Although the luxury watch brand is no longer involved, the STT race is often still referred to as the Rolex Cup. “It will forever be known as the Rolex,” Mr. Phillips, the BVISR chairman, said in a recent interview. For 11 years the Sailing Festival included a BVISR SAW A LOT rendezvous at the Bitter End Yacht Club in OF MEDIA COVE RAGE WHEN North Sound. That format changed last year, however, when BVISR introduced a “Round THE 75-FOOT YA CH Tortola” race followed by a party at the PYEWACKET WAS BROU T GHT TO nearby Pirates Bight on Norman Island. RACE IN 2002 BY AN HEIR TO “It worked out really well last year,” WHAT WELL-KNOW N FILM DYNASTY Mr. Phillips said. “What’s nice is that ? See answer on people get to see more of Tortola. page 23. People used to fly in, and all they saw of Tortola was out the taxi window from the airport to Nanny Cay.” Ms. Petz agreed that the new Round Tortola race was popular, stirring up a lot of positive feedback. “We have people coming out just for that race,” she said.

International market

Photo: TODD VANSICKLE

The first sailors to sign up for the BVISR this year were from Russia, according to Ms. Petz. That’s one aspect of the BVISR that has evolved in recent years, she said: the international attention and participation it sees. “We’ve really grown our international marketing of the event,” the director added. “So now when you look we already have 14 different countries signed on.” Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom were also among some of the earliest participants to sign up, long before anyone locally or regionally. “So I think our reach is finally paying off,” Ms. Petz said.Organisers also said the BVISR continues to put more emphasis on one-design racing — nearly identical designs or models sailing against one another. Once again, this year the BVISR will include a separate race area for one-design racing. Having the area specifically for one-design boats sets them apart and gives them more room for fast-paced competitive racing. The area was designed for IC24s, and now includes Melges 32s. Next year, 22-foot J70s, which have become increasingly popular in the United States, might race there as well. “With the one-design area, the race committee can set courses that allows these boats to have up to five races a day,” Mr. Phillips explained. “Being able to set a course on the fly with existing wind conditions is fantastic.”

Page 6 | Thursday, March 27, 2014 | The BVI Beacon

The BVI Beacon | Thursday, March 27, 2014

| Page 7

Page 8 | Thursday, March 27, 2014 | The BVI Beacon

BVISR Guide

Walking on water K By ERIC VOORHIS

Trefle Designs hits the runway at Nanny Cay

ristin Frazer walked across a cluttered office in the back of Clover’s on Waterfront Drive and set a bright blue swimsuit down on the table in front of her. It was small — too small for an adult — and had an oval-shaped, mother-ofpearl-coloured tag sewn onto it. Three numbers were etched into the tag: 284, the Virgin Islands’ area code.

“It’s fun. I try to brand all my products one suit to a woman in Denmark yesterday,” the way or another,” she said. “Most people designer said. recognise those numbers right way.” Getting ready Ms. Frazer, a manager at Clover’s and the There were only a few things left to do in founder of Trefle Designs clothing brand, preparation for the Spring Regatta show, Ms. said she decided to introduce children’s Frazer said during the February interview. swimwear to her collection after having a Her biggest priority? Narrowing down a list dream about it. of female models. “I’m being totally honest,” she explained. “I have about 20 models coming in, and “In the dream there were four different I’ll probably try to narrow that down to 12,” pieces, and I was having a great time with it. I she said, sitting at a table in the Clover’s ofwoke up and thought: ‘I’ll do it.’” fice. The bottom of a bright orange sundress On Saturday, April 5, at the tail end of the pinned to a manikin hung down from a filing BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, Ms. cabinet behind her. During the fashion show, Frazer will introduce a few pint-sized models, Ms. Frazer will display her “Resort Wear” line including her baby cousin, to display the new of clothes, which are manufactured locally, pieces from Trefle Designs during a fashion along with her “Caribbean Escape” swimwear show at Nanny Cay. The show, held around for women. 5:30 p.m. at the beachside pool, will “We’ll also have a few men in there,” she also feature women’s swimwear and said. “You know, for eye candy. Got to have clothing. eye candy.” “I have about 45 minutes to The fashion show is typically a popular showcase roughly 100 pieces,” Ms. event during the weeklong Spring Regatta Frazer said during an interview in and Sailing Festival. This year, Ms. February, when she already was Frazer is doing something a little difplanning for the show. “I’m going ferent, she added: A few hours beto try and squeeze it all in so TTA A fore the interview, she got G E GR people get a good sense of the ANCE PRIN ORM F HE S , permission from Nanny Cay R T 3 E style.” 198 HE P LA IN ING T U S U M RACE to build a catwalk over the R N O The clothing company, TS TO LEET F BEGA A F O B G D pool. SIGNE RACIN T CLASSES OF which Ms. Frazer founded ER AS B DICAP “It’s all in my N N M E A U ED R AP N S SPE DIFFE in 2008, has been featured H BOAT’ ANDIC OWED head right now. H L F L ? O E A T H E TYP in local magazines such as WHICH WHA ER. T G OF N THE But I can see H OTH N O I C T D A E E A S ST the BVI Welcome MagaIS BA HAR T S I T AGAIN H W it,” Ms. Frazer C . T OF YA YACH zine and e-Woman, as e 23 g CLASS ICAL a T said. “There will be music A E p R O T O well as publications r on A THE e and fun little beach balls. I’m w E TO IV s T A with a wider reach like REL ee an going to create a whole experience.” S Marie Claire and The Above all, Ms. Frazer, a native of the VirNew York Times style gin Islands, said she is proud to showcase her section. Ms. Frazer said she was excited about clothing in the very place that continues to the BVISR fashion show because it could inspire her work. help open up a new market for her clothing. “I basically took the palette of the scenery “I predominantly market overseas,” she around us,” she said of her new collections. added. “I’ve done a few shows here, but for “Just imagine a tourist, or local on a ‘staycathe most part: abroad, abroad, abroad.” tion,’ and how relaxing and tranquil it is. Two plastic cases stood nearby filled with Nothing fancy – you’re just in that complete colourful swimsuits ready to pack and ship as customers place their orders. “I sold a swimatmosphere of peace.”

Photo: ANYA BREWLEY SCHULTHEISS

Photo: NORMAN ALLEN

BVISR Guide

The BVI Beacon | Thursday, March 27, 2014

| Page 9

A chat with BVISR Chairman Bob Phillips By ERIC VOORHIS

Regatta emphasises ‘one-design’ racing

ob Phillips was in Colorado during the BVI Spring Regatta in 1993, the year he and his wife Linda moved to the territory full time to run Doyle Sailmakers BVI. “I had inadvertently booked a ski trip to visit my sister,” he said in a recent interview. “I didn’t even know about Spring Regatta.” After that year, Mr. Phillips became more involved with the event, first competing as a racer, and then helping with registration. In 1997, after being certified as an international race officer, the long-time sailor became BVISR chairman, and has continued in the role ever since. “I guess they saw ‘sucker’ written right across my forehead,” he joked, sitting behind his desk at his Road Town office in early March. and said, “I’m going to sail it.” Most You’ve been chairman for 17 years. What years I’m driving a press boat, and this are some of the most significant ways the year I’m back to being one of the race BVISR has evolved over the years? officers running one of the courses. So, It’s gone from being a single-fleet event to a multi-fleet. I think that’s one of I don’t really miss the sailing. You know, it’s funny: If you’re in a sport, you have the biggest things. It used to be that to give back to it. There’s no way everyone went out and did one race a around it. And it’s important to the day and sailed the same course. It sport, and to the BVI, that we have a didn’t matter if it was a 100successful event. footer or a 24-footer. And that’s all changed over the years. What sets the BVISR apart? Can We started providing racing you think of some aspects that specific to the type of boat. make it a unique race in the reSo if we have a cruising gion? boat that wants to do Well, let’s see — [Sir Franone race a day, we SKIPPERED BY PETER WRIGHT, cis] Drake Channel. I mean, have a class for it’s the BVI: 64 islands them. And we WHAT WAS THE FIRST BVI and rocks. We can send can send them YACHT TO EVER WIN THE people anywhere we on a nice SPRING REGATTA? want. It’s spectacular tour of the racing. What’s nice island. See answer on page 23. is that it always For the stays relatively hard-core racers who calm in the channel, no matter how want to do a windward/leeward hard it’s blowing. And really, that’s why [course that sends racers directly upwe’re the bareboat capital of the world. wind and then back downwind], we Over the years, we’ve worked a lot on can do that, too. making the courses flexible. In 1996, I was certified as an international race You’ve gone from competing in regattas officer so I got to play with our event a to taking a more organisational role. Do lot and developed some ways to make it you miss the sailing? I have only sailed in the Spring Regatta far more adaptable. And we just keep improving on that. So we can put the twice in 21 years. Once was my second year here. And the second time was six or committee boats in different locations. eight years ago when I put my foot down And we now design racecourses on the

fly. We have a map with a bunch of marks on it and off you go. Do any other regattas operate that way? It’s unheard of. Why’s that? Well, it’s very difficult for other races to do that. Take the [St. Maarten] Heineken Regatta, for example. They don’t really have the separate race areas like we do. We can send a fleet to the north side and get them out of Drakes Channel

if we want to. They can’t do anything like that. Antigua is the same. They do have some course choices. But we’re not hampered down by geography here, because we can go out around the outer islands; we can go up and down the channel. It really doesn’t matter where the wind direction is. We’ve got the water to use. Do you think of sailing as being a spectator sport? Some people say that NASCAR is fascinating to watch if you know what’s going on. Do you think sailing is similar? It can be a very difficult spectator sport. And if you have no knowledge, yes, it is sort of like watching grass grow. But it can also be incredibly exciting. Did you watch any of the America’s Cup this year? Umm, maybe a YouTube video or two. I’ve been in this industry for 40 years, and I was just in awe. They were incredible spectator boats. We also just had an event up in North Sound [the Virgin Gorda Cup] with a fleet of RC44s. Those make great spectator boats as well. And we certainly get some impressive boats during Spring Regatta. But, in general, it can be a difficult sport for some people to get. How do you think Spring Regatta impacts the yachting industry in the Virgin Islands? The people that come here and go racing come back and go cruising. That’s what’s important for our economy. They

may come back and do a bareboat; they may come back with their private boat. But they’re coming back. The BVI is just a magical, special place. It’s the crossroads of the sailing world. How about your business? Do you find a lot of people come in during the BVISR? I don’t see my business much at all that week. So, no. We hope that my business doesn’t see too many people because that means they’ve had an accident: They tore a sail. So, frankly, we prefer not to. We want them to have a good time. But who sees them the most are the taxi drivers, the restaurants, grocery stores, the chandleries. More than 3,000 people show up. Spring Regatta drops $3.5 to $4 million into the economy. And those aren’t dollars that leave. Those are dollars that stay right here. What else can you think of that’s new or different this year? We’re really beginning to put more emphasis on one-design racing. Which is? Every boat is the same. What makes that so attractive is that there are no handicaps. The first boat across the line wins. It doesn’t matter by how much or how little, a nose is all it takes. It’s like racing Volkswagen Bugs against one another. They all came off the assembly line, and there are class rules that keep all the boats even. There are some classes up in the states that are getting really large. The new boat that’s become popular is the J/70, which is 26 feet long. The interest has grown tremendously in the past year or two. I don’t think we’ll get any this year, but we’ve already had some sign on for next year. We also have a class of Melges 32s. We’ll have four or five coming this year. And of course, our own IC24s. We always try to lure a few of them out. Do you have any particular Spring Regatta memories or certain races that really stand out in your mind? Well, there’s always the monumental hangover on Monday morning [laughs]. Every year has been slightly different. And they’re all a tremendous amount of fun. I get to see people that come down and help with the regatta, or sail in the regatta each year. People I’ve sailed with for 40 years. So there’s a lot of camaraderie. Sailors just have a good time. It’s what we’re known for.

Page 10 | Thursday, March 27, 2014 | The BVI Beacon

BVISR Guide

Dancing in the sand

Quito Rymer performs at the BVI Spring Regatta Village.

By ERIC VOORHIS

Final Faze, Shooting Stars join this year’s line-up

ast year was a wet one. The rain was steady throughout the 2013 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, creating a mud pit in the regatta village, causing whiteout conditions during races, and, while organizers said it made for exciting sailing, there’s a general consensus about this year’s event: “No rain this time,” BVISR Director Judy Petz said, knocking on a wooden desk. While numbers in the village suffered last year, some embraced the rainy weather. “We still had a great time,” Al Broderick, of the the band Hot Sauce, reminisced while setting up for a show at Fish N’ Lime Inn earlier this month. On the final night of last year’s BVISR, Mr. Broderick took the stage with cover songs such as Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean” and Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name” to a small crowd that danced in the rain on the Nanny Cay beach. Some even ended up on stage. “We had about 60 people right on the stage,” Mr. Broderick said. “It was fantastic.” Along with Hot Sauce — the BVISR welcomes back Quito and the Edge this year along with Final Faze, who will play the Mount Gay Welcome Party next Thursday evening. On Friday afternoon, after a full day of racing, the boats will be welcomed back to Nanny Cay with music from the local steel pan band, the Shooting Stars. According to Quito Rymer, the BVISR is a good chance to showcase local music to VI residents and visitors alike. “There are so many talented musicians here, and I think that needs to be highlighted,” he said in a recent interview. “I think it’s a really good

The Village see page 11

Photos: TODD VANSICKLE

BVISR Guide The Village

The BVI Beacon | Thursday, March 27, 2014

| Page 11

from page 10

opportunity for local artists to be heard.” After the Shooting Stars’ performance, Hot Sauce will take the stage Friday night. The popular swimwear fashion show will take place the following afternoon after a full day of racing. This year it features the clothing of Virgin Islander Kristin Frazer and her Trèfle brand swim wear. As the sun begins to set, aerial artist Nichole Raab will perform on Saturday, followed by a set from Quito and the Edge. On Sunday, after the races wrap up, moko jumbies will perform as visitors and participants gather for an award ceremony, followed by music from the Showtime Band. “There’s constant entertainment, and I think everything came together well on that side of things,” Ms. Petz said. “And, obviously, we are free for music every night.” As always, the village will be lined with food vendors, and drink tickets will be available at the main ticket booth.

Al Broderick, of Hot Sauce, will perform at the BVI Spring Regatta Village.

Building the village

Lou Schwartz becomes one with a tape measure during the weeks before the BVISR. The long-time volunteer has been organising the construction of the regatta village for more than ten years. “Everything has to be measured, and then measured again,” Mr. Schwartz said two weeks before the event. “I’m telling you, it’s a mammoth put together.” There’s a lot to think about, he added: bringing in the “ticket hut,” wiring all the sound systems for IN THE SU music, and putting in electric MMER OF 19 lines for all the tents, to name WHO D 75, E S I GNED A a few. N D B UILT THE FIR “It’s huge,” Mr. ST J24 H U L L Schwartz said, adding IN HIS STONING GARAGE IN that the construcT tion of the regatta See an ON, CONNECTICU s T? wer on village wouldn’t be pospage 2 3. sible without the crew from Nanny Cay, a main sponsor of the event. “The Nanny Cay crew is instrumental in building the village, putting up the stage, doing all of the electronics,” Ms. Schwartz said. “The more complicated it gets, the more they step up to the plate.”

Photo: TODD VANSICKLE

Get with it

Page 12 | Thursday, March 27, 2014 | The BVI Beacon

BVISR Guide

The BVI Beacon | Thursday, March 27, 2014

BVISR Guide

| Page 13

BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival schedule Monday, March 31 – Sunday, April 6

21 22

1716 19

1514 13 24

26 27 6 7

28 THE BVISR VILLAGE AT THE NANNY CAY BEACH BAR WILL BE OPEN FROM THURSDAY TO SUNDAY. APPAREL, SOUVENIRS AND BAR TICKETS WILL BE ON SALE FROM NOON TO 11 P.M. DAILY. THE BAR AND VARIOUS FOOD VENDORS WILL OPEN AT 1 P.M. ON THURSDAY AND SUNDAY, AND AT 2 P.M. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

WELCOME PARTY: A celebration welcoming sailors, volunteers and other guests will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Nanny Cay beach.

AROUND THE VILLAGE

11 9 10

30 WHAT ORGANIS ATION AWARD E SPRING R D EGATTA THE “FIRST IN THE WO RLD” SILVER CE RTIF IN 200 8 FOR GR ICATE EATLY R PLASTIC EDUCING WASTE C REATED BY THE EVENT? See a

nswer o

n page

TUESDAY

RACE: The Nanny Cay Cup “Race around Tortola” begins from the marina at 10 a.m. An award ceremony for the event, which was introduced in 2013, will be held at 6 p.m. at the Nanny Cay beach bar. (Above) Last year’s winner, Aiyana, set a new monohull record.

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

RACE: The CIL Island Invitational Race to Pirate’s on Norman Island begins at 10 a.m. Participants are invited to spend the day at Pirate’s from noon to 5 p.m. for a “Fun and Sun” afternoon.

• QUEEN’S BATON: The baton will travel from Jost Van Dyke into Nanny Cay around 3:30 p.m. as part of the Maritime Heritage Day celebrations.

FOOD: During the Sailing Festival, from Monday to Wednesday, Nanny Cay will host a nightly barbecue at the beach bar with music.

• PARTY: The annual Mount Gay Rum Welcome Party will be held from 5-7 p.m. Final Faze will take the main stage in the Festival Village at 8 p.m.

2 4 10

• REGISTER: BVISR participants can register from noon to 6 p.m. by the Nanny Cay beach bar. A skippers’ meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m.

REGISTRATION SEATING 3. FOOD VENDORS 4. BVISR BAR 5. NANNY CAY BAR 6. BATHROOMS 7. VENDORS 8. TICKET BOOTH 9. POOL 10. STAGE 11. PARKING 12. HOTEL RECEPTION 13. TAXI STAND AND ATM 14. MARINA OFFICE 15. RESTAURANT, CHANDLERY AND PROVISIONING 16. BATHROOMS AND SHOWERS 17. LAUNDRY 18. GARBAGE 19. G DOCK 20. J DOCK 21. I DOCK 22. H DOCK 23. F DOCK 24. E DOCK 25. D DOCK 26. C DOCK 27. B DOCK 28. A DOCK 29. FUEL DOCK 30. MEGAYACHT SLIPS 2.

MONDAY

REGISTRATION: BVISR participants will be able to check in and register at a table by the Nanny Cay beach bar from 12-6 p.m.

PLACES TO BE

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

• MARITIME HERITAGE DAY: The Tortola Sloop Spring Challenge will begin at 10 a.m. with an award ceremony for sailors under a tent by the beach bar at 5 p.m.

4 10

MUSIC: Participants will be welcomed ashore at 4 p.m. by the Shooting Star Steel Drum Band in the Festival Village. “Chef Al” will take the stage with Hot Sauce in the Village around 8 p.m. RACE: Day one of racing in the official Spring Regatta begins at 10 a.m.

FASHION: This year, the fashion show will feature swimwear and clothing by the Virgin Islands company Trefle Designs, founded by Kristin Frazer. Starts at 5 p.m. RACE:Day two of the Spring Regatta continues, with races beginning at 10 a.m. MUSIC: Quito and The Edge will take the stage in the Village at 8 p.m.

4 5 10

4 5

9 10

23.

SUNDAY RACE: The racing continues at 10 a.m. Courses will be announced on the day of the race depending on wind conditions and weather. AWARDS: An award ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. ENTERTAINMENT: Participants and attendees are invited to watch a moko jumbie performance in the Village at 4 p.m. The Showtime Band will take the stage at 8 p.m.

4 5 10

Page 14 | Thursday, March 27, 2014 | The BVI Beacon

BVISR Guide

On the water T his diagram illustrates the approximate positions of the island marks as described in the Sailing Instructions. Where shown, the grey lines around islands attempts to illustrate the written description of the marks.This diagram does not form part of the Sailing Instructions. There may be slight modifications to this map, according to organisers.

START AREAS

LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE

RANGE/BEARING FROM NANNY CAY ENTRANCE

1. 18° 23.4’ N, 064° 37.8 W 2. 18° 22.3 N, 064° 37.6 W 3. 18° 24.1 N, 064° 34.5 W 4. 18° 23.1 N, 064° 33.4 W

0.5 NM at 150° M 1.5 NM at 175° M 3.5 NM at 100° M 4.5 NM at 110° M

COURSE MARKS

Great Thatch Island Little Thatch Island Tortola, Frenchman’s Cay, Beef Island Flanagan Island Pelican Island Norman Island Peter Island and Carrot Rock Dead Chest and outlying rocks Salt Island Cooper and all mooring buoys off of Cooper Island Beach Club Ginger Island Virgin Gorda including Fallen Jerusalem and Round Rock Prickly Pear, Eustatia Island, Eustatia Sound, surrounding reef and the green channel marks marking Colquhoun Cut

Great Dog, West Dog, Cockroach and George Dog islands

Seal Dog and outlying rocks

Necker Island

N VA

WHAT R ACE PA VES TH WAY F E OR SP RING R EACH Y E G A See a EAR IN ST. TH TTA nswer OMAS? on

Mosquito Island including Mosquito Rock, Colquhoun Reef and the red channel marks marking Colquhoun Cut

Necker Seal Dogs The Dogs Scrub Camanoe Guana

Sandy Cay and mooring buoys

17 18 19 20 21 22

Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, and Green Cay

Mosquito

A laid leeward mark

A laid windward mark with approximate range and bearing

oto

Windward Leeward Jost Van Dyke Sandy Cay Great Thatch Little Thatch Tortola Flanagan Pelican Norman Peter Dead Chest Salt Cooper Ginger Virgin Gorda Prickly

W L 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

page 2

Scrub Island Great Camanoe Island Guana Island including mooring buoys at Monkey Point

Photo: TODD VANSICKLE

BVISR Guide

Top 10 sailing movies By ERIC VOORHIS

A list to get you in the spirit of sailing 1.) WHITE SQUALL (1996) “You can’t run from the wind,” Captain Christopher Sheldon ( Jeff Bridges) tells the young crew of the Albatross in this excellent Ridley Scottdirected film. “You trim your sails, face the music and keep going.” White Squall centres on the teenage crew of a square-rigged, educational ship that (spoiler alert) sinks after it’s hit by a sudden storm. It’s memorable, the sailing is genuine, and even the courtroom drama at the end is captivating.

2.) WIND (1992) Wind is sort of like watching the America’s Cup injected with cheesy romance, a predictable plotline and mediocre dialogue. But as far as sailing movies go, it’s fantastic. After losing the title to Australia, Will Parker, an American played by Matthew Modine, decides to form his own team to win back the Cup. It’s loosely based on real sailing events, and several of the 12metre boats that raced in the America’s Cup from 1983 to 1987 were used during the filming of the movie. Great sailing.

3.) MASTER AND COMMANDER (2003) Many sailing movies out there are based on naval battles, and this is arguably the best. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, which takes place during the Napoleonic Wars, stars Russell Crowe as Captain “Lucky” Jack Aubrey. The battle scenes are thrilling and the film gives a good sense of what it may have been like to be on an 18th Century frigate – tight quarters.

4.) CAPTAIN RON (1992) I could watch this movie once a year for the rest of my life. And I might. It’s the ultimate cruising flick about a family of novice sailors who inherit a boat and hire a captain to help sail it from the Caribbean to Florida. They end up with Captain Ron (Kurt Russell), an eye-patch-wearing navy veteran who’s laidback and very loyal, but often incompetent. Martin Short stars as the uptight dad in this cult classic.

The BVI Beacon | Thursday, March 27, 2014

| Page 15

ailing hasn’t exactly been a staple in Hollywood films like American football, basketball, or boxing have been in the past. But despite being few and far between, sailing movies do pop up every few years, the 2013 Robert Redford film All is Lost being a perfect example. There are plenty of older films that didn’t make this list — think Errol Flynn — and many others that may have deserved mention. But what can I say? I’m a child of the ’90s.

5.) ALL IS LOST (2013)

8.) MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1962)

All is Lost is about a lone sailor’s fight to survive after his 39-foot sloop collides with a drifting cargo container. It’s frustrating, uncomfortable, and claustrophobic. The sailing community has criticised the film for being unrealistic, with most complaints boiling down to one thing: The main character – “Our Man” as he’s credited in the film – screws up a lot. He should have immediately stuffed a mattress or cushion in to the gaping hole in his boat. He shouldn’t have tried to switch to a smaller jib in the middle of a heavy storm; it should have done beforehand. What was he thinking? Despite some tactical mistakes by Robert Redford’s character, it’s a great watch.

“The mightiest excitement that ever swept across the sea or the screen!” reads an original tagline from this version of Mutiny on the Bounty, starring Marlon Brando. He gives a great performance. It was shot on location in the South Pacific and won best picture from the Academy Awards. It’s a worthwhile and entertaining watch.

6.) WATERWORLD (1995) If for no other reason, the trimaran that Kevin Costner’s character sails around the post-apocalyptic, water-covered world in this movie is pretty cool. You can’t deny that. The annual Razzie Awards had a field day with Waterworld, nominating it for worst picture, worst actor, worst director, and worst supporting actor. It may not be for everyone. But there are some spectacular shots of the boat that was based on the Pierre 1 racer, and built specifically as a prop. Not to mention the fact that Mr. Costner’s character in the movie has gills.

7.) YELLOWBEARD (1983) Fun and stupid. Yellowbeard delivers many laughs driven by a great cast including Peter Boyle, Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Peter Cook, John Cleese and starring Graham Chapman. Although it sunk in the Box Office, and was criticised by some (Roger Ebert) for being a “chaotic mess,” it’s not a bad comedy with a starstudded, sword-wielding, moustache-wearing cast.

9.) PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (2003) The opening sequence is my favourite: We meet the Keith Richards-inspired pirate Captain Jack Sparrow ( Johnny Depp) as he coasts into Port Royal on a small boat that’s quickly sinking. He climbs up the mast and politely steps off the boat as it disappears below the surface. There’s not a ton of sailing, but they did use period ships such as the Lady Washington, which look spectacular.

10.) THOMAS CROWNE AFFAIR (1999) This film squeaked in at number 10 for a twominute scene that always stuck out in my mind: Thomas Crowne, played by Pierce Brosnan ( James Bond number seven), is racing an impressive catamaran, pushing it to the limit. He eventually capsizes the $100,000 boat “because he likes the splash,” the film’s leading lady, Rene Russo, says later. The scene is fast-paced, the music is spot on, and you can feel the energy in the sails. There’s also a pretty good “movie mistake”: As the boat tacks around a race mark, Mr. Brosnan begins to furiously grind a winch with no line on it. But we get the idea.

Page 16 | Thursday, March 27, 2014 | The BVI Beacon

BVISR Guide

Rio, here we go By ERIC VOORHIS

VI sailors campaign for 2016 Olympics

Photo: RAIN BOW VI

he 49er is a high-performance, two-person racing skiff that was introduced to the sailing Olympics in 2000. Essentially, it’s a boat with wings that flare out on either side, giving the skipper and “crew” a platform to stand on.

SIONS

Photo: SH AKTI ZE GURA

(Top) Chris Brockbank and Alec Anderson during a recent photo shoot at Sopers Hole. (Middle) Messrs. Brockbank and Anderson started sailing together at inernational regattas 10 years ago. (Below) The two sailors practise on their 49er boat.

which guarantees a seat in the Olympics for a team on each continent. Only 20 boats in the 49er class get a spot in the Olympics; half of those are decided during the World Championship this May. “We’re absolutely going for it in Santander — we’re going to give it our best,” Mr. Anderson said on March 14, three days before he and Mr. Brockbank traveled to Palma, Spain to begin training. “I mean, if we could qualify two years out that would be incredible for a lot of reasons: for fundraising, for

Photo: TODD VANSICKLE

“It’s a 17-foot boat with a nine-foot beam,” Alec Anderson, a native of the Virgin Islands, said during an interview this month. “So it’s a mini-freight train — a Batmobile on the water. Incredibly fast.” In July 2013, Mr. Anderson and fellow VI sailor Chris Brockbank announced their ambition to represent the territory in the 49er class at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The two athletes were in the territory recently after completing a round of training and racing in Miami. “The racing was extremely difficult, but we learned a tonne,” Mr. Anderson said. “We had a couple really windy days that always toss you over a few times.” They also found some stiff competition in Miami. “January 8, I think, was the first time we had ever sailed against another boat in the class,” Mr. Anderson said, adding that they were up against sailors who had already won Olympic medals. “We’d only sailed the boat down here [in the VI] a little bit. We’re still very, very new.” The territory hasn’t been represented in the sport of sailing since the 1996 Games in Atlanta, Georgia. In simple terms, Messrs. Anderson and Brockbank have three chances to make it to the 2016 Olympics: the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championship in Santander, Spain; the 2015 World Championship in Perth, Australia; and the 2015-16 Continental Qualification Event,

training. And it would be a cool underdog story.” Sailing a 49er can be “absolute mayhem,” according to Mr. Anderson: “It gets scary.” When under sail, both athletes put their weight on a trapeze that’s attached to the top of the boat’s mast, and lean back over the water to keep the boat balanced. The 49er is considered the fastest monohull dinghy by some ranking systems, and can go as fast as 25 knots going downwind. The occasional capsize is expected, especially in heavy winds. “Chris just bought a helmet recently, because it gets so gnarly,” Mr. Anderson said. While Mr. Anderson steers the boat, Mr. Brockbank, as the crew, is responsible for most of the sail control. “Not to take away from either of our roles, but he’s typically the brawn, and I’m the brains,” Mr. Anderson explained. “He’s constantly moving around and holding the loaded sheet. I’m looking around a lot more and making tactical decisions. And trying to make his job as easy as possible.” The crew’s responsibility includes setting a 400square-foot spinnaker on downwind runs. “It’s a

huge sail,” Mr. Anderson said. The two athletes have already started training, both trying to gain weight, bulk up and get plenty of time in the boat before Santander. “It’s tough,” Mr. Anderson said. “You basically have to eat a whole lot of food, and lift a whole lot of weights.”

‘Home regatta’

Messrs. Anderson and Brockbank have competed in the BVI Spring Regatta on various boats and different classes since they were children. They grew up sailing together. “It was either Nanny Cay all summer long or the yacht club after school,” Mr. Anderson said, adding that he took to competitive racing earlier than his teammate, but they both sailed constantly. The best time of the year growing up was always the Spring Regatta season, Mr. Anderson said. “It’s our home event,” he added. “It was always Rolex, then Spring Regatta. We both would get out and do all the racing we could.” After the World Championship in Santander, the athletes will return to the territory to campaign, raise awareness and train. “I can’t wait,” Mr. Anderson said. “It would be great: start on [Virgin Gorda] and slalom down the channel in a couple hours. Just go up to the Bitter End [Yacht Club] andblast around the sound.” To learn more about the campaign or donate, visit andersonbrockbank49er.com.

The BVI Beacon | Thursday, March 27, 2014

BVISR Guide

| Page 17

BVISR tosses bottled water By ERIC VOORHIS

New ‘green boat’ award introduced

here will be plenty of drinking water at the BVI Spring Regatta this year. But if you’re looking for bottled water, you won’t find it. “This year — no bottled water at all,” BVISR Director Judy Petz said in a recent interview. Instead of creating plastic waste by stocking the event with bottled water, organisers decided to sell only reusable water bottles during the regatta. “It’s $5, and the proceeds go back to [Virgin Islands Search and Rescue] and Green VI,” Ms. Petz added. “So people get water all week for $5. We’re not making money anymore on selling those $2 water bottles. But think about all the waste that’s not going into the sea.” The BVISR has made steady headway in reducing waste and trying to be as carbon neutral as possible, Ms. Petz said. Last year, the efforts were noticed by the international organisation Sailors for the Sea, which awarded the regatta with a “gold certificate” under its Clean Regatta Programme. “It’s a responsibility,” Ms. Petz said. On the other side of the BVISR office, Volunteer Co-

ordinator Anne Poor, who also helps with planning aspects of the event, chimed in from behind a desktop computer. “It’s not just about racing. It’s also about preserving our resources,” she said of the regatta. “This is our playground, and we need to preserve the beauty of our playground.”

Green boat

This year, the BVISR partnered with Green VI and Nutmeg Designs — which will both have booths in the regatta village — to create a new “green boat award” for boats that show environmentally friendly practices. “The plan is to place a survey on the website and direct all registered boats to start there,” Ms. Petz said. “The questions [are meant] to educate but also to let us know what types of things people are doing.” The criteria may include various factors, such as commitment to biodegradable marine products and use of solar and wind energy. Two “green” prizes will be awarded by Nutmeg Designs and Green VI to the greenest boat and a runnerup. Check out the survey at www.bvispringregatta.org.

Page 18 | Thursday, March 27, 2014 | The BVI Beacon

BVISR Guide

BVISR introduces Heritage Day

By ERIC VOORHIS

Will include Tortola sloop races

n the 1800s, the Virgin Islands was one of four major boat-building centres in the Lesser Antilles. While the tradition is no longer being practised here, “We have to do anything we can to preserve the knowledge of wooden boat-building and heritage,” according to Geoffrey Brooks, curator of the VI Maritime Museum. This year, the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival will introduce a new event that aims to do just that: Maritime Heritage Day will take place next Thursday. “This is going to be an annual event,” Mr. Brooks said last week. The day will begin with a Tortola Sloop Spring Challenge, with one or two races — depending on the wind — starting at 10 a.m. “The boats are going to be racing right off the beach, so it should be fun to watch them out there,” Mr. Brooks added. There will also be a display ex-

plaining the history of the traditional sloop, with copies of a book Mr. Brooks recently completed with local artist Lutai Durante. Later in the day, an award ceremony for sailors will be held. “I’ve got the trophy — a wooden sloop model,” Mr. Brooks said. “I just have to make a base for it.”

Queen’s Baton

The Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton and its international travelling crew will also make an appearance during the Maritime Heritage Day. “We love when things like this line up just right,” said BVI Spring Regatta Director Judy Petz. The baton will arrive in the regatta village around 3:30 p.m. on one of the traditional sloops, escorted by a fleet of youths sailing Optimist dinghies. Earlier in the day there will be an official welcome ceremony at Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park at 9 a.m.

Photo: PROVIDED Some of the territory’s historical sloops compete in the Sloop Shoutout during the August Emancipation Festival.