Sweethearts Regatta growing again!
The regattas, which are one and the same, begun just as the Sweetheart’s Regatta 39 years ago with Schooners and after four years the Club introduced the Classic yacht regatta and different classes of races.
Mr Schwartz described the turnout as “excellent” and the winds as mostly light and variable, with great weather. The races took place from Soper’s Hole up to Pelican Island, down to Flanagan Island and back to Soper’s Hole.
On Sunday, there were three classes of races: the Classic Class, which were boats of 30 years or older and saw participation of 12 vessels; the Couple’s Class Lover’s Race, in which four boats took part, and the Open Class, which saw seven boats.
On Saturday, the races entailed the Schooner, Single Handed, and Open Class. Some 14 boats took part.
“We ran what you call shortened courses so it wouldn’t be too arduous for some of the Classic boats which are heavier wooden boats and much older boats so that everybody can finish in time, enjoy their time.”
History
According to Mr Schwartz, when the RWEYC was conceptualised close to 40 years ago, they wanted to begin a race for Valentine’s day, hence the name Sweethearts, and because of their closeness with the islands of St John’s and St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, they became a permanent fixture of the yearly race.
Participation increased in the last few years.
“We had at one point over fifty boats racing, and as time went on, a lot of the wooden classic boats got too old, and the participation went down. In the past few years it has started to rejuvenate, so now we are up in the thirties,” Mr Schwartz explained.
In place of the traditional trophies and plaques, all participants received gifts such as a dinner for two, a t-shirt, along with a bottle of Mount Gay Rum XO.
“It’s the spirit of participation, it’s not racing for the plaque or the trophy, we give a prize to every boat that enters. Some people win a dinner for two, a lunch, so everybody wins a prize. People have taken their time to come from St Thomas, St John’s all over in the BVI, they came for the spirit of the competition so we appreciate them coming,” Schwartz reasoned.
Charities to benefit
While it was too soon to identify the charitable organisations that will benefit or the total figure raised, the Club’s Commodore said it is their norm to give back to the sailing community with the aim to perpetuate sailing in the Virgin Islands.
Sunday’s race results
Couples Race- First place was the vessel Marie, in second was Evanescence, third O Be Joyful and in the fourth position was Saphire Breeze
Open Class Race-First place-Girasoli, second-Winch Wicked, third-Sea Biscuit, fourth-My Dere, fifth–Chipeta, sixth-Sea Otter, Seventh-Island Hopper
Classics Class Race-First –Osprey, second-White Wing, third-Flying Circus, fourth-Stella De Mare, fifth- Rascal, sixth-Tern, seventh-Blue Star, eighth-Ariel and ninth-Ruffian.
Saturday’s race results were not available.
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