Cruz Bay Watersports Triumphs at 6th Annual USVI Hotel & Tourism Association Regatta
by Carol Bareuther 11 May 16:39 PDT
May 10, 2025
6th Annual USVI Hotel & Tourism Association Regatta - Close racing off the start line! L to R: Team USVI Department of Tourism (yellow hull), Team Margaritaville (turquoise hull), and Team Pink Palm Hotel (black hull) © STSC / C Bareuther
Eight teams representing the territory's hospitality and tourism sectors found their place in the sun, and on the sea, at the 6th Annual Hotel & Tourism Association Regatta.
Held Saturday, May 10, and hosted by the St. Thomas Sailing Center (STSC) at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), teams raced in the STSC's one-design IC24s, with four crew each. The fleet's competition, camaraderie, and community spirit translated into thrilling photo-finishes, high-fives, and happy faces, all factors that make sailing a keen part of the territory's marine tourism product.
In the end, only one point separated the first two teams, Cruz Bay Watersports in first (15 points) and The Pink Palm Hotel second (16 points), with the third-place finisher, the USVI Department of Tourism, (18 points), three points out of first.
Winners Named
"It's nice to see others in the industry," says Heather Fitzpatrick, of Cruz Bay Watersports, whose team members included Nick Quill, Chris Putnam, Matt Cecio, and STYC coach Mike Finley. "And it was fun to sail together as a team. We'd never done that before, even though we all work for the same company."
Cruz Bay Watersports won this event in 2023. However, it was the first time competing in the Hotel & Tourism Association Regatta for The Pink Palm Hotel team.
"I saw the flyer and decided to sign up at the last minute," says Brent Pelton, who flew from New York with fellow team member Louis Pierre Anderson-Morshead to race. Jason Fleming and Elisa James rounded out the crew.
James adds, "This was my second time on a boat, and now I want to sail again."
Third, the USVI Department of Tourism team competed for the first time.
"I love to sail and did so as a little girl with my dad, so it's ingrained in me," says Alani Henneman, who raced with Ian Turnbull, Wilbert Smith, and Jamila Miller, with Dillon Clarke cheering, and the STYC's Maurice Kurg as coach. "But what made this special was the camaraderie, learning the mechanics, and having an overall appreciation for the talent and athletic ability it takes to sail."
Two teams from Frenchman's Cove (19 and 22 points), along with Margaritaville (23 points), Coral World (26 points), and Wyndham (40 points), rounded out the rest of the fleet.
The morning of racing featured three round-the-buoy races off St. Thomas' east end in 10 to 15 knots of breeze. The learning curve was clear as the teams went from scattered at the start and finish in the first race, to a tightly packed group with less than half a boat length between teams across the finish line in the third race. The double-points finale's course was a clockwise circumnavigation of Great St. James island, with teams battling the north side's waves and strategizing swift currents on the south side.
"Sailboat racing is a great platform for team building because it relies on collaboration and communication. Each crew member plays a crucial role, fostering trust and camaraderie while navigating challenges. These experiences enhance teamwork skills that benefit personal and professional relationships," says Bobby Brooks, STSC director. "Plus, sailboat racing is great fun. It was great to see everyone enjoy themselves. Congratulations to all the teams for their outstanding performances."
The regatta preceded a three-hour coaching session with Brooks and fellow STSC staff member Spencer LeGrande, who provided teams with invaluable practice and techniques.
Special thanks go to the USVIHTA's President Lisa Hamilton and Public Relations Laurel Kaufmann, the USVI Department of Tourism's Alani Henneman, Kalina Kennedy of Margaritaville, Scott Derrickson of Frenchman's Cove, Neil and Trudy Prior with Kristine Tartaglio of Coral World, and Jim Terkelson of Cruz Bay Watersports.
The 7th Annual Hotel and Tourism Association Regatta will take place in May 2026.