The second edition of the Wagner Sailing Rally (WSR), which celebrates the life of Polish sailor, Wladek Wagner and his connection to the Territory, is scheduled to take place from February 6th – 8th, 2015 at Trellis Bay, Beef Island. Photo: Provided

WSR 2015 hosts, the Polish Yachting Association of North America under patronage of the 

Government of the Virgin Islands, expects the 2015 event to attract 500 Polish sailors and invites the public to participate in the weekend programme.

Wagner was the first Pole to circumnavigate the world and was just 20 years old when he started the navigation. It took him 6 years and 3 boats to finish the journey between 1932 and 1939. World War Two prevented him from returning to Poland and he settled in Bellamy Cay and Trellis Bay where he became fast friends with Mr. Obel Penn and many others from the East End/Long Look community.

From 1949 – 1958, Wagner and Mr. Penn worked together to develop Trellis Bay, Bellamy Cay, and build the first runway at Beef Island. During WSR 2015, a permanent museum dedicated to this history will be officially unveiled at the Island Last Resort on Bellamy Cay.

Mrs. Mabel Wagner, widow of Wladek Wagner and Mr. Obel Penn long with His Excellency Governor John S. Duncan OBE, Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, and Honourable Marlon A. Penn, grandson of Mr. Obel Penn and Representative of the 8th District will be guests of honour at the WSR 2015 Opening Ceremony on Saturday.

There will be a BBQ and Welcome concert at Trellis Bay Market starting at 6:00pm on Friday, February 6. The 2-hour event will feature Polish cultural performances along with performances by the Enis Adams Primary School Hawks Dance Club, the BVI Heritage Dancers and the Elite Sky Dancers.

On Saturday, February 7, all are welcome to come to Trellis Bay from 5:00pm to watch an enactment of a meeting between the Poles and Sir Francis Drake and to enjoy live music by the Razor Blades.

On Sunday, February 8, there will be a yacht parade of boats sailing around the Polish Sailing Tall Ship Fryderyk Chopin at 12:00pm. Two of the traditional Tortola Sloops will participate in the yacht parade as will youth sailors of the Royal BVI Yacht Club.

Signed copies of Mrs. Mabel Wagner’s book Lest I Forget: The Wagner Family, Pioneers of Trellis Bay, Beef Island, BVI will be on sale along with a commemorative event booklet supported by Nanny Cay Marina/Budget Marine, Conch Charters, Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, Village Cay Hotel & Marina, and Beef Island Guest House/De Loose Mongoose.

WSR Commodore, Zbyszek Turkiewicz worked closely with Mr. Obel Penn’s son and grand daughter, Ephraim and Shamora Penn, and Broadsword Communications to coordinate activities with Geoff Brooks, Curator of the VI Maritime Museum, Mrs. Luce Hodge Smith, Director of Culture, Lynette L. Harrigan for the BVI Tourist Board, musician, Geoff Day, the Royal BVI Yacht Club, and local businesses including Trellis Bay Market, the Island Last Resort, and Aragorn’s Studio. The rally is also sponsored by the Government of the Virgin Islands, Office of the Premier, and Hon Marlon A. Penn.