Sailors Eagerly Anticipate St. Thomas International Regatta Following Round The Rocks Warm-Up

The thrilling precursor to the St. Thomas International Regatta, the Round the Rocks race, unfolded on Thursday, setting the stage for the main event. Organized by the St. Thomas Yacht Club, this prelude saw eleven sailing vessels divided into four classes navigate a challenging counterclockwise route around the island. The race served not only as a competition but as a vital opportunity for teams to fine-tune their coordination and skills, some reuniting for the first time since the previous year.

Donald Nicholson, helming the J121 Apollo for the United States, led his team to victory in the CSA Spinnaker 2 class, sharing that this was their inaugural sail together since November. “We just brought the boat down and had a practice day on Wednesday. Competing in a race is unparalleled in preparing for upcoming regattas in the BVI and Antigua this spring,” he remarked.

In a twist of roles, David Askew from the United States took the helm of Flying Jenny, navigating to a narrow win in the CSA Spinnaker 1 class. This role reversal, with Askew steering instead of his usual position, underscored the adaptability and teamwork essential in sailing.

Similarly, David Hensley’s debut as skipper of the J42 Trinity IV marked a significant shift from his previous role as crew member. This race was not only his first at the helm but also the crew’s first collective sailing endeavor, culminating in a class win in the CSA Spinnaker 3.

The Large Multihull class was dominated by Little Wing, whose crew included newcomers to the Caribbean sailing scene. Ron Bohem of the United States, who captained the vessel, expressed his enthusiasm for introducing new sailors to the Caribbean waters, confident in the allure of the experience and its capacity to encourage future participation.

The St. Thomas International Regatta, kicking off on Friday and running through the weekend, promises intense competition with races starting at 11:00 am each day. Enthusiasts and participants can track real-time results via the Regatta’s official website.