The West End Yacht Club successfully launched it’s 26th Sweethearts & 22nd Classic Yacht Regatta at the Jolly Roger, West End, Tortola, on February 6 – 8th raising a whopping 2K to go towards the preservation of the Caribbean’s oldest Island Sloop – VIGILANT (1882) – which is rotting away on the hard at West End. This regatta is annually held over the weekend of Valentine’s but moved up a week this year to accommodate the St. Croix International Regatta. There were some 31 entries from St. John, St. Thomas and the BVI entered in the four races that make up the regatta weekend. Geoff Brooks, from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) set up a 3-panel display showing the history of the Island Sloops in the BVI with a model used as a donation box for funds going towards the preservation of Vigilant.

BVI Governor Tom Macan is a true enthusiast of the Island Sloops and spoke at both Award Ceremonies of the importance of maintaining these boats as part of the BVI heritage. He also raced in two races coming in first in his division. Sailors really got into the final bidding of an impromptu auction, following the final Awards Ceremony, for the highly coveted red MT. GAY hats at the end of the regatta. Mt. Gay & RTW sponsored the event but this was the first year for the much desired hats. Hands held high – bids were yelled into the air with Commodore & Race Captain, Dave Cooper, throwing his hat into the auction as well as other Race Committee Members in order to raise money for Vigilant. Mike & Di Kirk, Martin Van Houton, John Cope, Sara Sommers and Neil Bailes did everything from selling T-Shirts to WEYC memberships in order to raise funds for the decaying sloop – owned by the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. It will take some $26,000 to restore Vigilant. The Power Boat Association of the BVI separately donated $1,000 for the restoration so the community is really beginning to get behind this project. Readers of All At Sea can purchase these collectors item T-shirts at $20 each by e-mailing dcooper@surfbvi.com

The Regatta, which is always a two-day event, showed what sailing and spirit are all about. That gorgeous yacht “End of the Day” owned by Al & Mitzi Sousa served as the Committee Boat on both days and was much appreciated. The music was as great as the racing featuring the sailor’s favorite band “Thrasher” from the BVI as well as Focus and the “Sand Devils, T-Bird & Buddy Cages”. Sam Tucker, of Mt Gay Rum & Road Town Wholesale summed up the weekend, “The addition of the red Mt. Gay hats brought everyone out for the fun. We are most pleased with the turnout (which numbered in the hundreds) and hope for even more participants next year. It was great to see a ‘sea of red hats’ wherever I looked and it was a pleasure to sponsor this regatta.”

newest members Doctors Helene & Marty from Long Island - they loved the Sweethearts Regatta