Photo courtesy of RBVYC

By the Royal BVI Yacht Club

Seventeen boats took to the water on Saturday to contest the 2016 Manhattan Yacht Club Trophy.

In 2002 the Manhattan Yacht Club (MYC) presented a trophy to the BVI and initiated an annual challenge between our home clubs, the Royal BVI Yacht Club (RBVIYC) and the West End Yacht Club (WEYC). Since then the two clubs have duked it out for the honour of raising the replica Statue of Liberty but for 2016 the MYC fielded a team of their own – could they do enough to claim their own prize?

Sailors awoke to light winds which built steadily to 10-12 knots by the time of the first start at 10 o’clock.  The format for the challenge was a pursuit race so each boat was given a start time adjusted to their CSA rating and the length of the proposed course.  In theory this means the fleet should all finish at roughly the same time…

The first boat away was the WEYC’s Wicked Wynch shortly followed by J24 Braivssimo and the 2 IC24s, Black Pearl andLatitude 18 all representing the Royal.

The first leg took the fleet upwind from the start line off Nanny Cay to round the Rhone anchor buoys off the entrance to Great Harbour.  Then it was downwind to pass both Pelican and Flannigan to starboard before returning to finish back at Nanny Cay.

It wasn’t long before the bigger boats began to reel in the early starters and battle ensued to the finish.  The 120ft schooner, Arabella, was a majestic sight as she powered around the course offering a fine photo opportunity, but she didn’t quite have the legs to catch the front runners.

In the end there were just 3 minutes separating the top four boats with the Royal’s Pipe Dream skippered by Chris Haycraft taking the line honours just ahead of team-mate Spike.

First in for West End was Kevin Wrigley’s Boomerang just 14 seconds behind Spike, with Henry Leonnig’s Firewatertaking fourth.

The overall winner was calculated from an average of the scores for each team so with boats in first, second, fifth and sixth it was a clear win for the Royal BVI Yacht Club.

At the prize giving ceremony hosted at the Royal BVI Yacht Club, MYC Commodore, Michael Fortenbaugh expressed thanks to both the local yacht clubs and there is little doubt that they will be back with a score to settle.

Thanks go to the race committee, all the competitors and sponsors, Gosling & Tico, for their support.

Final Results

1. Pipe Dream, Sirena 38 – Chris Haycraft (Royal)

2. Spike, J111 – Sam Talbot (Royal)

3. Boomerang, J33 – Kevin Wrigley (West)

4. Firewater, Melges 24 – Henry Leonnig (West)

5. Bravissimo, J24 – Aaron Gardner (Royal)

6. Latitude 18, IC24 – Thad Lettsome (Royal)

7. Girasoli, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 – Keith LiGreci (West)

8. Wildfire, Edel Cat 35 – John Hayes (West)

9. Black Pearl, IC24 – Tamsin Rand (Royal)

10. Pyjamas, C+C 38 – Bryson Hall (West)

11. Wicked Wynch, Hunter 30-2 – David Lake (West)

12. Snowbird, C&C 36 – John Randall (Royal)

13. Caribbeing, Moorings 50.5 (Manhattan)

14. Alabanza, Moorings 50.5 (Manhattan)

15. Arabella, 120ft schoner (Manhattan)

16. Boomerang, 4800 Cat (Manhattan)

17. Mercedes IV, 4800 Cat (Manhattan)

Photo courtesy of RBVIYC

It was all about the number 24 on Saturday January 16, 2016 when five 24 foot boats took on the 2016 Latitude 18 Halyard Challenge out on the waters just off Nanny Cay.

With the VI Youth team outnumbering the adults across the fleet, two races were sailed in a light 5 to 8 knot easterly wind.

The Melges 24 Firewater claimed overall victory with Jason Putley and Danny Petrovic each taking the helm in one of the two races.

Early glitches

Racing got underway at 2pm with a triangle-sausage style course set in the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Bunching at the pin end of the line, two boats found themselves with an early set back. Latitude 18 received a penalty for contact whilst Bravissimo was forced to bail out and come back to the line.

It wasn’t long before Firewater, the fastest of the five 24 foot boats, kicked up her heels, rounded the windward mark first and extended their lead to take line honours.

Despite taking a penalty at the start, Nathan Haycraft skippering IC24 Latitude 18, showed local knowledge pays and sailed a steady race to finish a comfortable second. The other two IC’s, Roosta and Black Pearl, battled it out for third with J24 Bravissimo.

Rounding the leeward mark in third place was Kyle Roose on Roosta with Black Pearl chasing hard. A close tussle ensued between the two as they headed back up to the windward mark. It was the Pearl who eventually came out on top and held their position to cross the finish in third.

2nd win for Firewater

The wind dropped slightly for the second race and the course was reset for a two lap windward-leeward. Once again, Firewater took an early lead and secured line honours to add another first place to their score card.

The rest of the fleet were closely bunched together but once again it was Latitude 18, now skippered by Jerome Parkins, who drew ahead of the pack and secured another second place finish.

Third around the windward mark was Bravissimo, closely followed by Black Pearl and Roosta, with new skipper Thad Lettsome. The race was on for third place. In the end just 31 seconds separated the three on corrected time and it was Black Pearl in third after she snuck past Bravissimo on the final beat.

With two first place finishes Firewater claimed the 2016 Latitude 18 Challenge victory. Second overall was Latitude 18 with race one skipper Nathan Haycraft and race two skipper Jerome Parkins both claiming second place in the two races.

The Royal BVI Yacht Club’s Black Pearl, with five Team BVI sailors aboard, took a solid third place and Bravissimo was fourth.

Results:

Position – Boat – Skipper(s) – Crew

1 – Firewater (Melges 24) – Jason Putley/Danny Petrovic – Max Reshetiloff, Ted Reshetiloff, Gary Lucas and Henry Loning
2 – Latitude 18 (IC24) – Nathan Haycraft/Jerome Parkins – Todd Patterson, Matt Hood, Linda Philips and Giles Wood
3 – Black Pearl (IC24) – Tamsin Rand – Scott Kirk, Stephan Ganga, Alex Rambarose, Anya Reshetiloff, Victoria Rowlette and Taylor Penwell
4 – Bravissimo (J24) – Aaron Gardner – Tom Parish, Luke Petith, Sean Laming and Kelly Verellen Bennett
5 – Roosta (IC24) – Kyle Roose/Thad Lettsome – Sam Allen, Noah George, Ryan Lettsome and Steve Roose

Photo courtesy of RPVIYC

By RBVIYC

Boomerang Wins Final Race of the Season and Sailors Are Recognised For Outstanding Achievements

Kevin Wrigley’s J33 Boomerang has won the 2015 Commodore’s Cup race, the final race of the on the Royal BVI Yacht Club season.  A close second was Pipe Dream with Rushin’ Rowlette completing the podium just seconds behind.

A stunning December morning greeted the six entrants with a steady breeze from the East.  Joining the race fleet were BVI Olympic hopefuls, Alec Anderson and Chris Brockbank, in their 49er but the dynamic duo decided that the gruelling 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 38Pipe 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 it’s 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 BVI 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 BVI 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 is shows a selfless commitment to the team.

The roll of honour for 2015 is:
Best Club Helm and Best International Competitor – Chris Haycraft
Most Improved Yacht – Bravissimo (Aaron Gardner)
Outstanding Service to the RBVIYC – Dick Schoonover

Best Club Helm – Nathan Haycraft
Most Improved Club Boat – Samuel Allen
Best International Helm – Danny Petrovic
INTAC Sportsmanship Award – Thad Lettsome

The 2016 Royal BVI Yacht Club race calendar gets underway on 16 January with the Latitude 18 Halyard Challenge.