First Annual Women's Adventure Race Week, March 10-14, 2025 hosted at the St. Thomas Sailing Center

Women sail IC-24s in the 2024 St. Thomas International Regatta. Credit: © Dean Barnes

A race clinic with drills and debriefs, adventure round-the-islands racing, and an exciting Virgin Islands sea and shore experience are what women sailors can expect at the First Annual Women's Adventure Race Week, set for March 10-14 and hosted by the St. Thomas Sailing Center (STSC) at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), in the U.S. Virgin Islands. All skill levels are welcome!

With world-class coaches, including Olympic athletes and match racing champions, the Women's Adventure Race Week is designed to challenge and inspire sailors of all levels. Dive into two days of intense, hands-on instruction on and off the water, paired with a day of Caribbean relaxation and exploration in St. Thomas and St. John. Cap it off with two exhilarating regatta days featuring buoy and short-distance races that may include race legs with land navigation and paddleboarding. Complemented with pickleball and sunrise yoga - there is fun for all ages.

"It's more than just a clinic—it's a movement to get more women out on the water, building confidence and camaraderie through a mix of adventure and competition in a beautiful, tropical getaway," shares Robert 'Bobby' Brooks, STSC Event Organizer and Director. "We are pleased to have partners like Sailing World and Team One Newport who bring decades of experience of racing and promoting women on the water.".

"In October 2023, Bobby and I met at STYC to explore what an 'adventure race' could look like. His team mapped courses that included sailing, hiking, paddling/swimming, and navigation through the beautiful Virgin Islands. My question immediately changed from 'Why an adventure race?' to 'When!' Every woman who enjoys adventures on the water should treat themselves to this special experience," says Sarah Renz, Director - Sailing World/Regatta Series/Firecrown Media.

Sarah Renz at the tiller - photo © Christopher Howell

Liz Baylis, 2002 Women's Match Racing World Champion, Executive Director, Women's International Match Racing Association, two-term chairman of the World Sailing Match Racing Committee, and past Women's World Match Race Champion, will be one of the 11 female coaches in March and is bringing her own team to St. Thomas.

"Sailing is a wonderful sport that people of all experience levels and capabilities can enjoy. For example, the team I will be coaching this year will be a mix of two visually impaired sailors and two sighted able-bodied sailors," says Bayliss. "I like to start the week a little more hands-on and then gradually pull back and let the team build on their relationships and skills. That said, the week will start with a new team learning the ropes of a new-to-them boat and figuring out their strengths and weaknesses as a new team. As things come together, new challenges are added, and more tips are given. So, the week starts with more big-picture skills, and then the tweaking and fine-tuning comes in. As the week progresses, skills will increase, and teamwork will improve. Having fun the whole time!"

Another long-time industry expert joining the Coaching roster is Martha Parker, Founder of Team One Newport, with two World Titles and multiple North American Championships. Martha will bring her tireless energy onboard as a coach and mentor for the Women's Adventure Race Week.

The coaching team comprises phenomenal women, on and off the water. The team also includes Charlie Arms, a U.S. Sailing Small Boat Sailing Instructor Trainer; Nikole 'Nikki' Barnes, a Women's 470 Skipper in the 2020 Olympics; Allie Blecher, a three-time U.S. Women's Match Racing Champion; Carol Newman Cronin, an award-winning author, editor, and Olympian who competed in the Yngling class at the 2004 Summer Olympics; Whitney Kent, former Program Director at the Sheboygan Youth Sailing Center and now Youth Programs Associate at U.S. Sailing; Jane Millman, currently the Director at Brendan Sailing in Washington DC and Maryland; Shala Youngerman, two-time winner of the 24th annual Linda Elias Memorial Women's One-Design Challenge; and Emily Verdoia, the STSC's Adult Sailing Instructor and Youth Sailing Lead Instructor.

Liz Bayliss at the helm - photo © Liz Bayliss

The STSC's Women's Adventure Race Week kicks off with a Welcome Party and Beach BBQ on Sunday, March 9, where participants can check in, meet their coach, and draw for their boat. The event is sailed in the STSC's IC24s. The following two days feature a Race Clinic, combining on-the-water drills and classroom training, with a video debrief at the day's end. Wednesday, March 12, is Lady's Lay Day, with optional activities including IC24 sailing over to St. John, Hobie Wave sailing and pizza party in Christmas Cove, snorkeling, hiking, visiting the local aquarium, SCUBA diving, and more. In the evening, there's a ferry trip to St. John to visit a local art gallery and enjoy a Rum Tasting. Adventure Racing is the theme for the final two days, where buoy racing and short and long-distance races culminate in an Awards Ceremony.

Enter Now!

The individual entry fee for Women's Adventure Race Week is $2000 per person. Or, put a team of four together and pay $7000. Enter now online at stthomassailingcenter.com/womens-adventure-race-week

Make Travel Plans

Traveling to St. Thomas is easy! Airlines fly direct from major U.S. cities: American Airlines (Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, New York, Philadelphia), Delta (Atlanta, New York), Frontier (San Juan), JetBlue (Boston, San Juan), Spirit (Fort Lauderdale, Orlando) and United (Houston, Newark, Washington-Dulles). U.S. citizens don't need a passport to enter the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Accommodations on St. Thomas include resorts, villas, condominiums, VRBO rentals, HomeAway, and Airbnb's. The nearest options within walking distance of the Club are vacation condo rentals on Cowpet Bay at The Anchorage, The Elysian, Cowpet Bay West, or Cowpet Bay East. The STSC maintains a list of our favorite condo and villa rentals, some of which you can book directly with owners to avoid extra fees. For a copy, email

For more information on the STSC and its programs, visit stthomassailingcenter.com, email , or call Cell/WhatsApp (340) 690-3681. For travel information to the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit www.visitusvi.com