From left: Piper Bailey, Sean Stacey, Jervis Tucker-Davis, and Bobby Hensley competed in the St Thomas Yacht Club's Fall Regatta over the weekend. Photo: RBVIYC

The Virgin Islands Optimist sailing team gained valuable experience at the St Thomas Yacht Club's 2026 Fall Regatta over the weekend. Photo: RBVIYC

Racing started on Saturday morning, October 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with a lovely breeze in the low teens that was perfect for Jervis and Sean to start their first regatta outside the VI in the green fleet.

According to the Royal BVI Yacht Club (RBVIYC), there was oscillation in the breeze for the regatta, which led to some important tactical decisions, but which sometimes didn’t swing in the VI sailors' way. There was, however, a good bit of squall dodging, which was not always successful.

Encouraging results

The regatta closed out with some "great results" on the scoreboard in the green fleet, with Sean Stacey winning one race and lying in 3rd place overall. Jervis Tucker-Davis also had a great couple of days on the water, with consistency being key, and ended the weekend in 5th. Both of the boys left everything out on the race course and had fun while doing it, the RBVIYC stated.

Bobby Hensley started in the Championship fleet for the first time. "It is a big step up. From green fleet to Championship fleet, he rose and learned from the challenges that he was presented with," RBVIYC said.

Hensley managed to achieve 4th place three times over the course of the weekend, "which for his first Champs regatta is promising".

Piper Bailey was also competing in the Championship course, and like Bobby Hensley, took on the challenge of the busy race track. Bailey finished in 7th overall, with improvement in her boat speed and her start positioning through the two days.

Results

Green

3rd Sean Stacey IVB 955 (Best result 1st)

5th Jervis Tucker-Davis IVB 1111 (Best result 3rd)

Championship Fleet

6th Bobby Hensley IVB 112 (Best result 4th)

7th Piper Bailey IVB 2804 (Best results 5th)