BVI Sailing Festival - Day 1

A windless day at Nanny Cay for the first day of racing in the prelude to the BVI Spring Regatta © Todd vanSickle / BVI Spring Regatta

Mother Nature calls the shots

There was no racing today, the first day of the BVI Sailing Festival. Principal Race Officer, Dave Brennan postponed the start of the race to Bitter End and indicated to the 48 competing yachts in the starting area to motor up towards Virgin Gorda, to see if the situation would improve. In the vicinity of Ginger Island, there were some signs of a stable wind developing, but it was short lived and racing for the day was called off shortly after 1100.

"Unfortunately the wind has not materialized and there will be no racing today." Commented Dave Brennan, Principal Race Officer: "The important thing is now to make sure the fleet gets to the Bitter End Yacht Club as every indicator available to us is forecasting that there will be no wind today. However, tomorrow is looking far more promising with possibly 15 knots of breeze, so we hope to get the racing started then, perhaps with a race around Virgin Gorda for the Bitter End Cup."

Tomorrow, the fleet may well enjoy a race around Virgin Gorda which will result in some spectacular scenery. Notably, The Baths located on the southern end of the island, these unusual geologic formations echo the island's volcanic origins, as huge granite boulders lie in piles on the beach, forming scenic grottoes that are open to the sea.

With an early arrival at the Bitter End Yacht Club, competitors will be able to take advantage of some fabulous facilities, including all manner of aquatic sports, restaurants and beach bars. Many local sailors consider the North Sound as the most picturesque area of the British Virgin Islands. Tonight's awards party will obviously not be possible so the limbo jump-up at Almond Walk and adjacent beach will be the first competition of the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival!

Back at Nanny Cay, crews competing in the ISAF sanctioned Grade 3 match racing event sponsored by GILL arrived throughout the day and completed registration for the two day event. If the wind plays ball, exciting duels are expected between the IC24's on tight windward leeward courses with expert race commentary by Denise Holmberg. Eight teams will compete on courses close to the shore so spectators can watch the drama unfold from the beach at Nanny Cay.

For more information about the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival go to www.bvispringregatta.org