Five days of fun on land & sea set for the St. Thomas International Regatta

Exciting race action combines with new events and parties ashore for the 2014 St. Thomas International Regatta © Dean Barnes

Competitive sailing combines with new parties and a first ever golf challenge to expand the St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR) into a five-day event with something for everyone. Set for March 26 to 30, regatta activities will span the entire island of St. Thomas.

"After the initial disappoint of losing our long time sponsor, Rolex, many felt the regatta was dead in the water," explains regatta director, Bill Canfield. "I'm very happy to report that we are back stronger than ever with an even brighter future. This year we are bringing back our Saturday night party at Yacht Haven Grande hosted by Captain Morgan with the music by local favorite Spectrum Band. Like all events this is open to the public. We are also introducing two new events, a Wednesday golf tournament at Mahogany Run and then a Pub Crawl in Red Hook the same night. Great racing, parties and music. Our slogan remains 'We love it here!'"

The 1st Annual STIR Golf Tournament tees off on Wednesday March 26. Play starts at 10 a.m. The entry fee is $97 for VI residents with their own clubs and $135 for visitors and includes clubs. Prizes for the first, second and third place teams will be awarded at the Regatta Awards Ceremony on Sunday March 30.

Quench your thirst after a day of golf at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC) starting at 5 p.m. with drink specials. The Red Hook Pub Crawl follows from 9 p.m. to Midnight. Shuttle service from the STYC starts at 9 p.m. Party with friends and enjoy Captain Morgan rum libations and cold Heinekens at locations such as Tap & Still, Duffy's Love Shack, Molly Malone's, Island Time Pub and XO.

Sailors and landlubbers alike are invited to the Regatta Welcome Party at the STYC on Thursday March 27. The Ah We Band plays from 7-10 p.m. Dinner is available for purchase for $15 pp.

Excitement shifts to the seas on Friday March 28. A fleet of over 70 yachts from the Caribbean, U.S. and Europe, from as far away as Russia and Australia, will set sail starting at 11 a.m. for Charlotte Amalie harbor race day. Watch from the waterfront as the fleet sails into the harbor and then starts on a second race back to the island's east end. Back on shore, the Jump-Up Party kicks off from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at STYC. The Becca Darling Band plays from 3-6 p.m., with the rhythms of Cool Sessions brass taking over from 7-11 p.m. Stay the day. There's lunch and dinner buffets for purchase from Noon to 8 p.m.

Race action continues on Saturday March 29. In the afternoon, there's music by Sol at STYC from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Then, a new STIR tradition kicks-off with the Captain Morgan Yacht Haven Grande Party from 6:30-11 p.m. Listen to Spectrum Band on stage, while dining and imbibing at nearby restaurants and bars.

Sailors launch off on the last day of regatta competition Sunday March 30. Up for grabs is who will take their place on the podium. Music by Full Circle greets the fleet from 2:30-5:30 p.m. The Regatta Awards Ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. on the STYC beach, followed by the Final Fling party with Ah We Band playing from 7-11 p.m.

Weather Routing Inc. (WRI) is the Official Weather Provider for the STIR and will provide forecasts by 6 a.m. daily during the regatta. These forecasts are available at: www.wriwx.com/clientproduct.php?id=4759 Weather maps and products specifically created for this event are also available at this link.

Yachts can register online for the STIR at www.yachtscoring.com.

For more information about the STIR, visit www.stthomasinternationalregatta.com. Or, follow for the latest information on Facebook www.facebook.com/rolexregatta, Instagram #IRRSTYC and Twitter @IRRSTYC.

The St. Thomas International Regatta is sponsored by Captain Morgan and Heineken, distributed by Bellows International, Little Switzerland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.