Competitors sailing in the 9th annual Cat Fight Regatta found fresh 15 to 20 knot breezes for the one day event October 28th. Registration the night before had five cats sign up at the prerace party at Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke followed up with Foxy's famous barbeque and live music. The five boat fleet was divided into two classes, over 40 feet and under 40 feet. Unbeknown to the racers that were started by the sponsoring Loyal West End Yacht Club, using the inverted start system according to handicap was that there was not going to be an overall winner of the races, only class winners.

The boats fought their way around the two race course with Rainbow Rider, skippered by Mike Fallis of Bear Cat Charters at the helm, crossing the finish line first in each race. As it turned out, Rainbow Rider was the only cat in their class but they raced hard as if they were going for the Gold! The first race was started just outside Great Harbour and the racers sailed a triangular course upwind to a buoy set to the south of Sandy Cay then a tight reach around Sandy Cay to port, with a down wind run to the finish. The race committee sent the cats on a longer second race taking Sandy Cay to starboard, turning down to the cut at Sopers Hole on Tortola, rounding Great Thatch and back upwind to the set mark and then to the finish. The set mark had a problem holding air and was found to be barely above water as the racers made there rounding making for an interesting navigational issue.

The awards party was in the usual W.E.Y.C. tradition where every boat is a winner with gift certificates given out to each cat. A special "badest cat" award was given to the yacht Sanctuary in the way of a case of Pusser's Rum. After the Cat Fight Regatta, the evening brought on the Halloween Ball at Foxy's with crews dressed up in some very unique costumes. Dancing to the live band went into the wee hours of the spooky night where all had a great time. Even though the turnout for the regatta was a little light this year the Halloween Ball was jam-packed with crews and onlookers.

CONCH-QUERER takes 1st place in IC 24 Class
Escape BVI Regatta Smugglers Cove, BVI

The 1st Annual Escape BVI Regatta, held on May 13, 2006, was an exhilarating day for all who were at Smugglers Cove, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Clear sunny skies and light winds met participants and attendees after days of heavy flooding and rain making the day a typical one for the BVI. Four classes competed in the regatta - the IC 24 one design, Wind Surfer, Laser, and Dinghies with handicap ratings.

Offshore, the competitors were dealing with the challenging, swiftly changing winds testing their expertise out on the crystalline waters. Onshore, attendees flocked to watch the racing and cheer the participants on while enjoying festivities including live music, activities and a barbeque.

Our thanks and appreciation go out to the many sponsors and participating organizations who pulled together to make this such a successful community event.

To read the full article go to:
1st Annual Escape BVI Regatta

For more photos go to:
Escape BVI Photo Gallery

Smugglers Cove
British Virgin Islands

Escape BVI is proud to announce the 1st Annual Escape BVI Regatta, to be held at Smugglers Cove, Tortola, on May 13, 2006. The format for the regatta combines all of the sailing organizations throughout the BVI's as participants in some capacity, bringing instructors and volunteers together to make the regatta a true community effort in sailing venues. Other sponsors of the regatta, all from Tortola, come from a wide spectrum of businesses, and Escape BVI is pleased to have their support and help with the 1st Annual Regatta.

The racing classes invited to the regatta include the single handed Laser class, the high speed windsurfers, and the most popular one design keel boat in the Caribbean - the IC 24's. Unique to the regatta is the IC 24 fleet using spinnakers, which is the first time in an organized around the buoys regatta. It should prove to be a challenge to the IC 24 crews, on the windward / leeward courses set just outside the point at Smugglers Cove.

The venue itself is very unique, being that the Regatta is the first one ever to be held in Smugglers Cove. An idyllic setting in crystal clear waters, a beautiful beach from which all of the competitors can literally wade through the waters to their boats, which will be moored close to the white sandy beach!

Onshore is the Smugglers Cove Beach Bar, also a main sponsor of the regatta, which is having a live band and  beach barbeque, offering the usual great snorkeling and many fun events going on all day long. One of the best things about the venue is the ability of the spectators on the beach to see yacht racing up close as many of the racers will be just a few hundred yards offshore showing the crowd their skills.

Don't miss this annual event! Sailor or not, everyone in attendance will be guaranteed a great time, and what better place to spend the day than at the number one beach on Tortola, Smugglers Cove!

For further information or to signup for the regatta go to: Escape BVI Regatta - Smugglers Cove

Sweethearts of the Caribbean Regatta
Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Feburary 11th & 12th on Tortola, British Virgin Islands, was another great sailing day for the twenty-eighth annual Sweethearts of the Caribbean Yacht race. The event was co-sponsored by the "Loyal" West Yacht Club and the Jolly Roger Restaurant and Inn, at the West End of Tortola, and was attended by hundreds of yacht racers and " yacht racer chasers".

Over 35 Yachts from thirteen feet to eighty three feet from the surrounding Caribbean islands and local British Virgin Islands, competed in several types of classes, with everyone going away a winner as the Yacht Club, in its long standing tradition and motto lived on as usual, "no one goes home empty handed when it comes to awards!" Another great sailing event, including late night parties and live bands, at the "heart beat" of Tortola, the West End.

Read the full article at:
28th Annual Sweethearts of the Caribbean Regatta
For more photos go to:
Escape BVI Photo Gallery