NOR and On-line Entry now for Int'l Rolex Regatta

by Barby MacGowan on 7 Jan 2008
The Notice of Race and on-line entry for the 2008 International Rolex Regatta, scheduled for Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30, are now available at www.rolexcupregatta.com. (Entry before March 6 avoids a late fee.) The web site also has helpful travel information such as lodging options in St. Thomas and passport and Visa needs.

This year, there are two new reasons for sailors to plan a stay in the islands for the International Rolex Regatta.

IRC in the Spotlight

IRC will make a big splash in the Caribbean this year. The International Rolex Regatta joins the Presidente Cup and BVI Spring Regatta in offering IRC and CSA classes. These three events make up the southern circuit of the hotly contested 2008 US-IRC Gulf Stream Series (GSS -- www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=163).

'There will be competitive racing under both the IRC and CSA rules. With the addition of IRC for 2008 we are encouraging a larger international fleet,' said John Sweeney, co-director of the International Rolex Regatta. 'We've had positive feedback from both State-side and European boats.' Dockage for the deeper-draft IRC boats can now be accommodated by the new Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie, USVI (www.yachthavengrande.com)

Sweeney added that the International Rolex Regatta caters not only to handicap yachts but also to Beach Cats and one-design sailboats of 24 feet and longer--the most popular being the home-grown IC24, which always has an impressive turnout.

'The regatta's popularity is attributable to its professional race management, dependable trade winds and varied and challenging schedule of races -- including a mix of round-the-buoys and round-the-islands courses that make for serious competition,' said Sweeney. After racing, beachside social activities blend St. Thomas Yacht Club's island-style hospitality with the outstanding camaraderie that hundreds of participants have come to expect each year.

Virgin Islands Race Week

Giving sailors and their families another good reason to put the International Rolex Regatta on their holiday calendar is the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Virgin Islands Race Week, presented by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. VI Race Week bridges the International Rolex Regatta (March 28-30) in the U.S. Virgin Islands with the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival (March 31- April 6), hosted out of Tortola & Virgin Gorda, creating a '10-day holiday' that offers both intense racing and quality family time. Sailors can customize their vacations by mixing and matching hard core racing, just-for-fun racing, and leisurely cruising with family activities such as shopping and golf outings on St. Thomas.

Those interested in VI Race Week should contact judy@bvispringregatta.org. There is no additional fee for entering, and prizes will be awarded to the top overall IRC and CSA yachts competing.

For information on the International Rolex Regatta, visit www.rolexcupregatta.com

For more information on the US-IRC and CSA, visit www.us-irc.org and www.caribbean-sailing.com