Things will be different at the St. Thomas Yacht Club’s International Rolex Regatta in 2013. First of all, it will happen one week earlier than normal—Friday, March 22 through Sunday, March 24—to accommodate holistic shifts on the Caribbean regatta calendar that have been planned jointly by various event organizers to give sailors a better flow to their Spring racing vacations in the Islands. Second, it will be the International Rolex Regatta’s 40th Anniversary, which guarantees some extra surprises and celebrations that will follow the event’s successful formula of matching up laid-back beachfront fun with a sophisticated touch by Rolex. And third, the Melges 32 class, one of the most competitive in the world, has made the event a destination for its new three-event Caribbean series in 2013.
This is good recognition from a strong class,” said International Rolex Regatta Chairman Bill Canfield, “and the fact that we are the only event that is not stand-alone in this class’s Caribbean series speaks volumes about our professional race management team.”
Canfield added that the St. Thomas Yacht Club is the Storm Trysail Club’s southern station, and its race management team has a stellar reputation. For handicap (IRC and CSA), One-Design and Beach Cat classes, the International Rolex Regatta traditionally offers a variety of courses ideally configured to test a sailor’s skills while showcasing the stunning shoreline. Included are the first day’s “Harbor Races” from the club to Charlotte Amalie Harbor and back, testing everyone’s focus; the second day’s “Island Race,” testing navigational nerve by sending competitors short tacking the length of St. John’s south shore and back; and the final day’s “Sound Race,” testing one’s determination on complex courses around the cays of Pillsbury Sound.
For the IC-24 class, which has been part of the regatta since its inception 15 years ago, there are up to 18 windward/leeward races held over Saturday and Sunday to replace the longer races that the other boats sail. Like the IC-24s, a one-design class can be established with a minimum of six boats.
While The racing is serious (the International Rolex Regatta remains a part of the US-IRC Gulf Stream Series), nightly beach parties and an unforgettable send-off on Sunday by title sponsor Rolex lend more spirit and color to the occasion than a Mocko Jumbie at Carnival.
“Reliable winds every day, terrific competition, a challenging mix of courses, and of course plenty of camaraderie, good food and drink at great parties every day—the 40th Anniversary of the International Rolex Regatta will be a regatta to remember in 2013!” said Canfield.
The 2013 International Rolex Regatta Notice of Race is available at www.rolexcupregatta.com, and online entry is now open through the website or directly through www.yachtscoring.com. Early entry fee applies until Jan 31, 2013, so enter now and save. For more information, visit www.rolexcupregatta.com or email Bill Canfield at stycisv@gmail.com.
More about the International Rolex Regatta
For nearly four decades, the International Rolex Regatta has been attracting racing sailors and their families to the Caribbean Island of St. Thomas, where the St. Thomas Yacht Club opens its doors (figuratively, that is, since its open-air clubhouse doesn’t really have doors) to welcome guests and share extraordinary island-style experiences, not the least of which is three days of weaving through the visually arresting cuts, cays and islands of the U.S. Virgins. Teams from the U.S. and Europe are always among those to beat, but no one dismisses the home-grown talent from St. Thomas and islands farther afield such as Puerto Rico and St. Martin.
The international Rolex Regatta has been hosted by St. Thomas Yacht Club since 1974, making it the oldest regatta in Rolex’s portfolio of international sailing events. Rolex is known for sponsoring famous offshore and grand-prix events such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Rolex Fastnet Race, Giraglia Rolex Cup, Rolex Middle Sea Race, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship.
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