Light winds force course changes as crews compete in Round Tortola Race and Scrub Island Invitational
The BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival opened on March 26 with the Round Tortola Race for the Nanny Cay Cup and the Scrub Island Invitational, as Don Nicholson’s J121 Apollo and Barney Crook’s Corsair 31-1D Airgasm secured overall honors in the distance race, while Panacea X, skippered by Katy Campbell, led CSA Performance Cruising in the invitational event.
Lighter-than-forecast winds prompted the race committee to modify courses for the Round Tortola Race, with CSA Multihull completing the traditional circumnavigation of Tortola while other classes sailed shortened routes around Dead Chest, Peter Island, Flanagan Island and Little Thatch. All racing started and finished off Nanny Cay Marina.
Nicholson, competing in CSA Racing Spinnaker, finished ahead of Panacea X by 2 minutes and 9 seconds on corrected time, with Lady M placing third after a close contest to the finish. Nicholson said recent modifications to Apollo, including weight reduction and sail upgrades, contributed to the result.
“The modifications really paid off for us,” Nicholson said. “We had a great time out there today.”
Crook, a Tortola-based sailor, secured first place in CSA Sport Multihull aboard Airgasm, sharing overall honors for the Nanny Cay Cup.
In other Round Tortola results, Libertas, helmed by Kevin Wrigley, took first in CSA Non-Spinnaker/Performance Cruising, while Georges Coutu’s La Novia led CSA Cruising Multihull. Charlie Garrard’s Topaz placed first in CSA Bareboat. Marcos Sirota’s Sophia corrected out just five seconds behind Chris Haycraft’s Ting-A-Ling II.
“The race committee definitely made the right decision,” Coutu said.
The Scrub Island Invitational, which drew 39 boats and approximately 298 sailors, concluded with a beach gathering at Marina Cay. Canadian sailor Benjamin Daniel, part of the Panacea X team, said shifting conditions shaped the race.
“It was pretty good, light winds, but nice flat water,” Daniel said.
Sam Talbot’s Spike took first in CSA Multihull, while Steve Denure’s Mistral led CSA Bareboat. Florian Baier’s team aboard William C placed second, and the Brew family of Jacksonville, Florida, finished third aboard the Dufour 44 Stingray.
Colleen Brew, serving as tactician, said the team adjusted strategy throughout the race.
“We were mainly trying to get clear air at the start,” she said.
Swiss crew aboard Kali placed third in CSA Spinnaker after recovering from a late start.
Johannes Schwarz’s Volvo 70 Monster Project retired from the Round Tortola Race due to equipment issues after earlier competing in the invitational race. Other retirements included Jim Gibson’s Thunder & Lightning and the Kelsall 47 Triple Jack.
Regatta Chairman Chris Haycraft said the Round Tortola Race remains a central feature of the event.
“Round Tortola for the Nanny Cay Cup is here to stay as long as there is wind,” he said.
Following a lay day on March 27, racing is scheduled to continue through March 29. Organizers said the 2027 BVI Spring Regatta is scheduled for March 29 to April 4.
Source: bvispringregatta.org
