Chairman of the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival, Bob Phillips has outlined plans for a revitalized the BVI Sailing Festival, a popular three-day prelude to the BVI Spring Regatta in 2013.
Phillips said it was felt it was time for something new to keep the event fresh and interesting, particularly for regular competitors.
"After 10 successful years of racing to the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda and back, it was time to offer something different. We are known as an innovative and forwarding thinking regatta and enjoy making improvements to keep it appealing, fun and interesting for the sailors and visitors," Phillips stated.
He stated that the new format for the Sailing Festival will ensure a pleasurable build-up to the BVI Spring Regatta and competitive racing on some of the best race courses in the world.
The programme includes a race around the island of Tortola for the Nanny Cay Cup, a race to neighbouring Norman Island for some beach-time fun at Pirates Bar in The Bight and then a chance to discover Tortola from a different perspective - on, off and under the water - on the final day of the Festival. The Sailing Festival offers competitors the opportunity to discover the magic of some of the 60+ islands that make up the British Virgin Islands whilst taking part in the Regatta.
"We might even see a new record for the Nanny Cay Challenge in the Round Tortola Race. We are planning a Race-Beach Day and an opportunity for visitors to really see what Tortola has to offer when not sailing. We look forward to welcoming everyone to a really memorable 42nd BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival," Phillips pointed out.
He added that few regattas offer the opportunity to race on really exciting and varied courses each day in multi-challenging waters, which include the Atlantic Ocean, Sir Francis Drake's Channel and the Caribbean Sea.
Hosted by Nanny Cay Resort and Marina on the island of Tortola, the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival has moved the date of the 2013 event to March 25th-31st to allow sailors to compete in several different regattas in a packed Caribbean racing calendar.
Nanny Cay's General Manager, Miles Sutherland-Pilch is looking forward to hosting competitors from all over the world during the course of the week.
He noted that Nanny Cay has been hosting the BVI Spring Regatta for over 10 years and they are happy to support the new Sailing Festival format which will give more families and friends an opportunity to enjoy the week, see more of Tortola and Nanny Cay.
"We'll have a BBQ on the beach, live music and of course a full bar each night of the Festival. The new Nanny Cay Cup, which will now race around Tortola, will give all competitors a different view of the island. Adding in our Nanny Cay Challenge for the fastest record around the island is really exciting. I was on the crew of Soma which holds the fastest multihull record, so I personally welcome a new challenger to take the title; plus the chance of winning a jeroboam of champagne should never be passed up," Sutherland-Pilch stated.
The new format for the BVI Sailing Festival at Nanny Cay will run from Monday 25th through to Thursday 28th March 2013, when registration for the main BVI Spring Regatta will take place with the traditional Mount Gay Rum Welcome Party. Starting on Friday 29th, the three-day BVI Spring Regatta includes the International Yacht Club Challenge and culminates in the awards ceremony for the overall prize winners on Sunday 31st March.
