Participants already pouring in for 48th Spring Regatta, organisers promise more fun
The British Virgin Islands is once again gearing up to host one of its largest maritime events – the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival for the 48th year.
Regatta Director Judy Petz told BVI News on Wednesday that the event, which is slated for March 25 to 31, has already lured some 60 vessels to register. This figure represents 60 percent of their targeted number of 100 boats this year.
“Plans are coming along excellent and I am working on it as we speak. I am thrilled that we have that many boats coming, and they will be bringing quite a large crew which will really help support the event and the country,” she said.
Petz said with the two additional marinas at their host venue — Nanny Cay on Tortola — they can now comfortably accommodate ‘hundreds’ of boats’.
“So, this is quite a luxury to have plenty of space to offer yachts coming. Our target is to have 100 yachts sailing in the regatta that would bring in a couple thousands of people here.”
She said while the event has seen more than 100 boats in any given year, due to the havoc caused by the 2017 hurricanes, last year saw the numbers drop into the 70s.
Nevertheless, Petz said she is ‘confident’ that they will hit their target.
Changes
In the meantime, there are some changes to the event. Petz said the location for the regatta village will be moved from the beachside to the new outer marina at Nanny Cay.
“We will have a second seaside bar so people can sit and look at all the races,” she said.
She also said the event will be ‘going green’ for the 11th year running. She said the regatta will also feature lounge furniture made out of recyclable plastics built by VI Plastic.
Persons will also be educated on how to be ‘socially responsible’ and recycle their plastic.
“I think we are going to have a good year. I think the party is going to be fun and we encourage everyone to come and support it,” she said.
The event will have the traditional races such as the Round Tortola Race for the Nanny Cay Cup, the Scrub Island Invitational race followed by three days of racing.
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Taxes are to low. They must be increased to cover the destruction of the sea beds from anchorage and garbage that end up on the shores and mangroves.
HI, Just to let you know, the majority of boats, 98% will use a dock. They bring thousands of dollars to the community. The regatta has been instrumental in being a responsible event and recycles all plastic, glass and requires compostable containers for the last 5 years. With the focus to bring postive and responsible people to the island, your comments are unfounded.
@ Anonymous
The distruction of our environment is mainly caused by the people who live here all year around, sadly.
I am a born B V Islander and can not agree with you more LCS. We should be ashame of ourselves how nasty and untidy we keep the BVI and then boasting about Nature Little Secret.
We keep the bvi real nasty old thing all over shame on us .the bvi is no nature little secret