Defiance Construction Update
Click to enlargeThe Defiance building continues at a good pace. The construction crew has poured the ground level floor as well as cast and poured the stairs to the second level. The foundation for the second level floor has been laid and work has started on the block work on the second story walls. …
From clothing to coffee: Island Roots
Tina Wong, chief barista for Island RootsFrom clothing to coffee, Island Roots is creating quite a stir amongst resident workers and visitors alike at Nanny Cay. Conveniently located in the heart of the marina, Nanny Cay’s newest store (opened February 2009) carries a wide range of Dorfman Pacific hats, Skechers sandals, ladies swimwear by Ralph…
New Hospitality Managers: Samantha & Simon Lewis
New Hospitality Managers: Samantha & Simon LewisSamantha and Simon Lewis recently joined the Nanny Cay team as the hospitality managers of the resort hotel and of the luxury, waterfront townhouses in Nanny Cay Village. Fresh form a seven-year stint in Nice, France, where they authored the success story for a boutique hotel, the couple will…
Video: Quito & the Edge
Quito played the Regatta Village on Saturday night (April 4). Enjoy a little bit of Quito and photos from the 2009 BVI Spring Regatta:
Great Finish To BVI Spring Regatta
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Triple Jack – sponsored by Nanny Cay won the Multihull division (click to enlarge)The third and last day of the 2009 BVI Spring Regatta dawned with black clouds in the sky. Many thought that the wind would be light and there would be rain, but, as it turned out, the clouds only provided much appreciated sun protection with plenty of breeze with which to race. Throughout Drake Channel, 122 boats competed on the last day of the three day event in 12 – 14 knots of shifty breeze.
It was little surprise that Vincitore took the top spot in Racing A. Phillip Lotz, owner/sklpper of second place Arethusa said that they were clearly in second place and had a great time. This is the first time he has been to the BVI since the early 80’s but clearly plans to come back and would like to convince other Swan 42 owners that the format of the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival fits this type of boat well. Arethusa sailed the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival even though there was damage done to their mast in St. Maartin Heineken Regatta and it will be replaced. “My kids picked the name and the boat was named after a number of warships. Arethusa was originally a Greek water nymph that was chased around by the god Altheus and was turned into a fountain.”
Racing In Paradise
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Team Denial – click to enlargeWith another perfect day on the water, it is truly racing in paradise at the 2009 BVI Spring Regatta. In today’s action, there were a number of leaders who had a chance to stretch out their leads in the 10 – 12 knot breeze and a few classes in which the tops spots changed hands.
In Division A, Vincitore, the carbon fiber Reichel Pugh 52, added a few more notches to its belt with several more bullets. Although Colin Booth, the captain of the boat had said that the boat loves downwind sailing, the crew is proving that it just likes sailing.
In Racing Division B, one group hailing primarily from Ireland indicated that they came to the BVI to sail despite the economic hard times in Europe. In fact, one crew member said, “What economic recession?” Calling themselves Team Denial, there is no doubt that they are in “denial” about their current last place standing. Regardless, they seem to be having a great time. Three Harkoms leads the class after the second day of racing.
Spectacular First Day Of Racing
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Top Gun rounds the windward mark – click to enlargeTight racing, great Caribbean weather and excellent race management characterized the first day of the 2009 BVI Spring Regatta. After a day of wind ranging from 11 – 15 knots, with a few zinger wind shifts and incredible sunshine, the mood in the Festival Village was festively mellow. Everyone seemed relaxed and had positive things to say about their day on the water. Results in many of the twelve classes are indicative of very tight competition among well matched boats.
In Division A, Jim Mitchell’s Vincitore, the Reichel Pugh 52, has three firsts and a second but Arethusa, Phillip Lotz’s Swan 42 is not far behind with three seconds and a first.
In Division B, Three Harkoms has a five point lead over Jamie Dobbs and Lost Horizon II. Alfred Koolen, from St. Maartin, sailing on Lost Horizon II said, “We’ve been to five regattas this year and won all five of them. We’re not going to win this one; we screwed up.” He went on to relate how in a short two mile race, they started late, hit the weather mark and finished a minute behind everyone else. Then he added, “If you want a quote, the quote is, ‘This regatta has the best sailing instructions in the Caribbean and everything else. Everything is done properly.’”
Vincitore Wins Nanny Cay Cup
Vincitore heads for Nanny Cay – click to enlargeVincitore won today’s Nanny Cay Cup with Three Harkoms second and Arethusa third. Vincitore roared down from North Sound in 2 hrs, 11 mins.
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With winds of 12 – 14 throughout the day, magnificent blue skies and turquoise water, the BVI Sailing Festival fleet sailed from North Sound, Virgin Gorda, downwind to finish just off the entrance of Nanny Cay Marina in Tortola.
The sleek, iridescent blue hulled Vincitore took the top spot from James Hudleston’s Three Harkoms and won the Nanny Cay Cup. Tom Rinda, the race officer said that after the start, and a short upwind leg, Vincitore took off like a rocket ship. Vincitore’s captain, Colin Booth, said that the boat sails relatively well upwind but really performs downwind. He reported top speeds of 26 – 27 knots with the boat reaching 20 knots easily. Today, Vincitore’s elapsed time for the eighteen mile course was two hours and ten minutes, more than one half hour in front of the next boat. With Three Harkoms in second, Arethusa, owned by Philip Lotz, moved into the winner’s circle with a third place finish. Guy Eldridge’s Luxury Girl was behind by only four seconds corrected.
Three Harkoms Wins Bitter End Cup
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Three Harkoms chases Yeoman off the start line – click to enlargeEnthusiastic sailors left the dock this morning for the first race of the 2009 BVI Sailing Festival under cloudy skies and with 15 – 20 knots of breeze. Although the weather during the first leg of the race was somewhat damp between a little bit of spray and the occasional squall line, it did not compare to last year’s conditions which forced many boats to drop out due to the extreme wind and sea conditions. This year, despite a few early clouds, it was a picture perfect day for racing.
The course for the Bitter End Cup led the fleet from Drake Channel south east between Salt Island and Dead Chest, then the beat continued due east up the south side of Salt and Cooper. The fleet turned north heading back into the channel between Cooper and Ginger Islands, leaving the Dogs to starboard before heading east to the entrance of North Sound at Colquhoun Cut. The finish line was off the Bitter End Yacht Club.