Photo courtesy Royal BVI Yacht Club
This past weekend the Royal BVI Yacht Club hosted a Green Fleet Regatta. This regatta was unlike any other as four race team members planned and organized the event as part of their school’s elective program. Kyle Roose, Nathan Haycraft, Scott Kirk and Rayne Duff pooled their skills and pulled off a regatta fully equipped with volunteers, chefs, coaches, race committee, media crew, and many competitors. The Saturday proved challenging for our newbie Green Fleeters and great practice for our well-versed competitors as the wind was a high 12-17 knots and the waves reaching 2 to 4 feet…..
There were a couple of exciting moments in the day for everyone on the course. Due to the high winds, some of our competitors sailing the Open Bic capsized, losing a member off their boat! Luckily, the crews were always retrieved before the end of the race and supports boats were near and available for assistance. A couple of tight races were sailed by Noah George, Samuel Allen and Nici Haycraft/Ryan Lettsome who were close on the last leg, finishing only split second after each other. Other competitors, such as Amanda Plaxton, Felix Thorp and Farrari Khan had the luxury of having some of our best racers as crew and tactician on their optis for a race, helping boost them into the top of the fleet. Our other KATS sailor, De’Sani Thomas, and Girls-Only sailor, Victoria Rowlette, showed their stuff going it alone around the course being cheered on by family and friends – well done!
Overall, our optimist fleet consisted of eight; experienced ranged from those who have raced at other yacht clubs, to others who were racing for the first time. The fleet was lucky enough to be greeted off the water by barbeque and cupcakes as we celebrated Kyle Roose’s 12th birthday. Thank you to all parents who came and supported the green fleeters (support boats, barbeque chefs), board members who helped fill many other roles needed, and the competitors for coming out and racing with us!
