St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Boom or bust was the big story for the 69-boat fleet racing on the first day of the 41st St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR). Thirty-plus knot guests tested the mettle of equipment and crews as the fleet sailed along the island’s south shore into scenic Charlotte Amalie harbor and back again amidst a mix of sun and squalls.

“The winds were great today. We loved it,” says Australia’s Robert Date, at the helm of his RP 52, Scarlett Runner, with a 15 strong crew. Date set sail last July on a circumnavigation to race some of the world’s great regattas. He chose three events in the Caribbean – the STIR, Les Voiles de St. Barth and Antigua Sailing Week. Scarlett Runner finished fourth in the six-boat CSA Racing 0 Class, where the lead is tied on points between Near Miss, Switzerland’s Franck Noel’s TP 52, and Tonnerre de Breskens 3, the Netherlands’ Peter Vroom’s Ker 46.  Continue reading…

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Seventy yachts from the Caribbean, U.S., Europe and Australia will take to the seas on Friday for the 41st St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR). Hosted out of the St. Thomas Yacht Club May 28 to 30, the big buzz this year is the sheer impressiveness of the fleet.

“We couldn’t be happier with the turn-out and the caliber of boats,” says regatta director, Bill Canfield. “This event has transformed from Caribbean-driven in its inception to a truly world-class international regatta.”

One of the most exciting classes to watch will be CSA Racing 0. The six boats in this class represent five nationalities and some of the hottest race boat designs. There’s the TP 52 Near Miss, from Switzerland, that won the 2012 Giraglia Rolex Cup. Highland Fling XII, Monaco’s Irvine Laidlaw’s 2011-launched TP 52, is back after losing its rig at mark one of race one two years ago. Tonnerre de Breskens 3, owned by the Netherland’s Peter Vroon, is competing in this event for the first time having won the RORC Points Championship in Europe in 2010, 2011 and 2013.  Continue reading…

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Sailors showed their competitive side on shore Wednesday at the 1st Annual Captain Morgan Golf Scramble, the kick-off event to the 41st St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR). Six teams teed off at 10 a.m. on the greens of the famous George and Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole Par 70 Mahogany Run Golf Course.

“We’ve taken an innovative approach this year by hosting a golf tournament as a new addition to the regatta,” says JP Montegut, commodore of the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC).  “It offers visiting sailors a chance to interact on a different level and enjoy more of what St. Thomas has to offer, plus there’s an opportunity for local residents to come out and play. In the future, we hope sailors will come down with their families a day early to get in a round of golf before the traditional regatta starts.”  Continue reading…

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. 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!’”  Continue reading…

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Enjoy surf and turf at the 2014 St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR). New this year, the 1st Annual STIR Golf Challenge will be held on Wednesday March 26 at St. Thomas’ famous Mahogany Run Golf Course. Sailors, sailing teams, race officials and volunteers are invited to enter this land-based contest then keep the competitive vibe going out on the sea for the three-day STIR March 28-30.

JP Montegut, commodore of the St. Thomas Yacht Club, says, “The 1st Annual STIR Golf Challenge is one event we are adding this year to expand beyond our traditional three-day regatta and enable visiting sailors more opportunities to see and enjoy the island and more ways for residents to join in on the fun.”

The 1st Annual STIR Golf Challenge features a 2-person scramble format. Play starts at 10 a.m. Entry fee of $135 includes clubs and represents a $100 discount off rack rates. Deadline for entry is March 12. Cocktail reception follows play. Prizes for the first, second and third place teams will be awarded with regatta prizes on Sunday March 30.  Continue reading…