Thad Lettsome receives the 2015 INTAC Sportsmanship Award from Royal BVI Yacht Club Commodore Todd Patterson. Photo: Provided

Thad Lettsome is a highly focused athlete but shows a consistent and positive attitude to helping others. Always on hand to assist the younger sailors with rigging their boats, offering advice and support where needed, Thad shows a selfless commitment to the team. Photo: Provided

A stunning December morning greeted the six entrants with a steady breeze from the East. Joining the race fleet were VI Olympic hopefuls, Alec Anderson and Chris Brockbank, in their 49er but the dynamic duo decided that the grueling course around Cooper, Salt and Peter Island was perhaps a step too far for their high performance skiff.

Firing out of the blocks at the start off Nanny Cay were Rushin’ Rowlette and Pipe Dream and the fleet headed up the Sir Francis Drake Channel to make a loop around Salt Island and Cooper Island before returning downwind, around Peter Island to starboard and then up to Road Town to finish.

Taking line honours across the finish line off the Royal BVI Yacht Club was Chris Haycraft’s Sirena 38 Pipe Dream after nearly four hours of racing. Chasing hard were Boomerang and Rushin’Rowlette crossing the line in second and third with less than six minutes separating the first three boats.

On corrected time, Kevin Wrigley’s Boomerang takes the spoils with a 3 minute and 12 second margin. Second overall was Pipe Dream with Rushin’ Rowlette rounding out the podium just 22 seconds behind. The only cruising boat in the fleet, Girasoli came in fourth overall.

Prize Giving and Annual Awards Presentation

The prize giving ceremony took place during the Commodore’s Dinner where the Royal BVI Yacht Club also presented its annual achievement awards. In the Youth Categories, Nathan Haycraft, Samuel Allen, Danny Petrovic and Thad Lettsome took home the trophies with Aaron Gardner, Chris Haycraft and Dick Schoonover claiming the adult awards.

“It is always difficult select the winners of these awards,” said Patterson. “So many of our young sailors show remarkable talent and commitment to their sailing the future is definitely bright for Team BVI.”

Pipe Dream skipper Chris Haycraft was awarded the best club and best international boat after posting a consistent series of results throughout the season. Pipe Dream results include first place at the Governors Cup, second at the BVI Spring Regatta, Commodore’s Cup and Round Tortola Race and international podium finishes in St Croix and the St Thomas International Regattas.

Aaron Gardner, skipper of J24 Bravissimo, was awarded the most improved club boat.

Dick Schoonover was awarded the Roslyn Griffith Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to the Royal BVI Yacht Club. Schoonover is always ready help when asked, from race committee to quiz master, he steps up to a task with a smile and is a highly valued club volunteer.

Youth Awards

The winner of the Best Club Helm award was Nathan Haycraft who demonstrates motivation and focus beyond his years. He has represented the club at numerous regattas this past year and performing at his best level yet.

Samuel Allen picked up the Most Improved Dinghy Award. In the past year, Samuel has progressed from not wanting to sail alone to confidently skippering his own boat at an intermediate level and being asked to join the race team. A proud moment for Allen just last month was helming an RC44 after the regatta in Virgin Sound.

Danny Petrovic was awarded the best international youth award just weeks before he jets off to Malaysia to represent the VI at the ISAF Youth World Championship. Racing for Roger Williams University, Petrovic has posted podium finishes in numerous regattas and classes and is always on hand when home in the VI to help out with training sessions and support the younger sailors.

The INTAC Sportsmanship Award was presented to Thad Lettsome. Lettsome is a highly focused athlete but shows a consistent and positive attitude to helping others. Always on hand to assist the younger sailors with rigging their boats, offering advice and support where needed, Thad shows a selfless commitment to the team.