BVI Spring Regatta - Regatta Press Office

The winds shifted earlier than expected at North Sound on Friday with the south-east breeze swinging towards the south.

As a result, spinnakers were seen as far west as the Dogs, but after that, it was a beat to Beef Island and the home stretch to Nanny Cay.

Andrew Dion, sailing on the Martin 49 Defiance, described the start of today’s race as ‘pretty hectic’.  “A lot of boats came up with pretty high speed and the wind kind of shut off at the line,” he said. “There was some confusion but in the end it was a good solid racing start.”  

Taking the top spot in the Racing Class was Zen, the Santa Cruz 37 with John Bainbridge heading the vessel. Sailing with John was Ian Williams, two-time world match racing champion. Ian was one of only five skippers to hold multiple match racing world titles and the first European to do so.

Following Zen in the Racing class was Pat Nolan’s Sistership. Pat’s crew are all women who sail together only once a year and it is always at BVI Spring Regatta. “I told the girls enjoy today, we may not be on the podium much.”

Vela Voloce finished in third place.