Caribbean 1500 Rally attracts an international fleet

by Des Ryan on 6 Nov 2009 58 yachts which departed on Monday in the 20th Annual Caribbean 1500 fleet are making good time and will arrive Nanny Cay in the next few days. This year the rally sports an international flair. In addition, to the usual contingents from the US and Canada, sailors from Germany, Japan, the UK, and Ireland have joined the fleet.

America’s oldest and largest offshore cruising rally departed from Hampton, Virginia will arrive in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

'The 20th Anniversary fleet is an interesting group,' explained Founder and President Steve Black, 'We have veterans of past rallies including several who participated in the first Caribbean 1500 in 1990. The first-time participants include four families with children. And it is always fun to have sailors from other countries involved.'

'The Caribbean 1500 retains some of the competitive elements of traditional sailboat races,' says Black, 'but offers social, educational and technological enhancements that broaden the appeal of the event to couples and families, as well as racers – both experienced and first-timers.'

Prior to the start, the participating sailboats gathered in Hampton for several days of safety inspections, workshops and weather briefings before embarking on the passage to the Caribbean.

The new BVI host marina, Nanny Cay, is getting ready to help make this the most festive arrival so far, with a hospitality centre, daily parties, live bands playing island music, and a beach barbecue following the awards presentation.

In the latest messages from the fleet, the breeze has shifted to the East and lightened, with most reporting winds in the 10-15 knot range. Glancing at the weather forecast, winds should fill in from the North/Northwest later tonight as a low pressure system tracks north of the fleet.

Rick and Julie Palm aboard Altair wrote:

What a terrific day of sailing! The seas settled, the white caps disappeared, and we charged along at 8 knot on a beam reach all day long. The blue sky with its puffy white clouds cast its reflection to create that blue-purple color of the deep deep ocean water.

Flying fish were everywhere including one that managed to board Lady. No sea mammals or tropic birds yet. We're continuing to discard clothing as the air and the water warm up. We're down to long-sleeved shirts and jeans, but I bet those folks with full enclosed cockpits are in shorts and t-shirts already.

Successful fisherpeople for the day were on Ocean Pearl, Sapphire, Seven Strong, Summer Love, Winsome, Andante, Billy Ruff'n, Moonlight Fantasy, North Star, and One World. (It might have been easier to list those you didn't catch anything!)

Over on Joy For All, David Grove contributed this late-night report:

Wind has shift around to the east. I would imagine most of the fleet has seen the same shift. All on board Joy for All are just enjoying the favorable wind strength and direction. The full moon continues to wane. As such the first night shift is starting to get a really good look at the stars.

Being about 530nm east of Georgia really cuts down on the light pollution. The rest of the night shifts continue to enjoy the bright moon. Either way, it is just good to be out here with the rest of the fleet enjoying this wonderful weather and sail.

Meanwhile in Nanny Cay marina, the team is getting ready. 'We are working fast to welcome the voyagers back to land and some for the first time to the Caribbean,' says Judy Petz, Director of the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival.

The annual Caribbean 1500 is one more rally, of the growing number that welcome cruisers in every ocean of the world, drawing to a conclusion - but for the participants, it marks the beginning of months of wonderful sailing.

For more information about the rally, go to their www.carib1500.com!WEBSITE