Kiteboards, 420's, Yoga latest Regatta additions in St. Croix

by Ellen Sanpere on 16 Feb 2010 It's less than a week away but there's still time to pre-register for the St. Croix Yacht Club Hospice Regatta, February 19-21, 2010, and there's even more competition and compassion than originally announced.

Competition - Kiteboards and 420's have requested starts, and regatta Director Julie San Martin says, 'Bring 'em on. We'll find prizes for them, no problem!' Larger than an Opti, smaller than a Rhodes 19, the 420 is the double-handed training boat of choice for serious young sailors. Several 420 sailors requested a start on the One-Design course, and San Martin is happy to welcome any class with three or more boats (or boards). Entry fee for 420's is $150, and some hulls will be available for charter for off-island sailors.

Twin-tip and directional kiteboards will sail in their first St. Croix course competition. Board sailor Jimmy Lehman, the Kiteboard PRO, called for a board skippers meeting on Saturday morning to announce the courses customized for the day's wind prediction. Entry fee for the avian sailors is $75, refundable if conditions preclude racing entirely.
On the Optimist course, Ronnie Ramos returns from Puerto Rico as PRO, but Lee Icyda had to cancel leading the Opti clinic due to a back injury. Happily, Scott Lindley, U.S. Opti National Team Coach 2010, was available to fill in on Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. The clinic is included in the registration fee for Opti sailors, who will put their skills to the test on Saturday and Sunday.

Compassion - Rhonda Pessin will offer yoga in the regatta tent on Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 AM for those wishing to chill out and limber up. Breakfast will be served in the clubhouse from 7-9 AM.

Continuum Care, Inc., the first hospice on St. Croix, is staffing their medical tent on the yacht club grounds from noon on Friday until the close of the regatta on Sunday. First aid and compassion will be offered to all who need it.

Online - Check out the website, www.stcroixregatta.com for pre-registration, current entry list and scratch sheets, Notice of Race, Crew/Boat Boards, Regatta news, sponsorship opportunities and information about St. Croix. Additionally, Sailing Instructions and amendments will be available online by Thursday, and race results will be displayed after racing on Saturday and on Sunday.

Sailing for Others - Tracy Sanders, of Continuum Care, Inc., and regatta director Julie San Martin will be on the yacht club grounds most of the weekend to accept pledges or donations to hospice; last year, donations were made even during the prize giving, and contributions are U.S. tax deductible. All proceeds go towards providing compassionate end-of-life care for all who need it on St. Croix, regardless of ability to pay.