The third
annual Nanny Cay Nations Cup will be taking place off Nanny Cay Marina
this
weekend (November 17/18). Robbie Hirst, sailing for the British Virgin
Islands, will be defending his two-time title in this hard-fought
regatta where the simple requirement for entry is that all crew members
carry the same passport.
Sailed in an identical fleet of IC24s, event organisers Racing In Paradise are expecting stiff competition as teams jostle to knock the Hirst powerhouse from their perch. John Holmberg from the USVI has enlisted brother Peter to his team. Peter recently returned to the Virgin Islands after an America's Cup stint with the winning Alinghi team.
However, the defending BVI team isn't leaving anything to chance. Robbie has teamed up with youth sailor Alec Anderson and Colin Rathbun to form a strong BVI team. Alec recently stunned several of the more experienced local IC24 'rockstars' by placing second in the Pete Sheals Memorial Match Race. Colin placed second to the Hirsts in the inaugural Nanny Cay Nations Cup and was a member of the winning Hirst team last year.
In addition to a number of teams representing the USA and UK, teams are expected from Ireland, Canada, Holland, St Martin and Puerto Rico. "We're expecting between 10 and 14 teams to be flying their country flags," said Richard Wooldridge of Racing In Paradise. "It's going to be a busy two days on and off the water as the teams rotate through a number of races and boats. All the racing is spectator-friendly as it is held right off Nanny Cay's breakwater. We'll have a bar, shade and commentary so it's well worth popping down for a look."
IC24s are modified J/24s and the fastest growing one-design class in
the Caribbean with fleets in the US and British Virgin Islands and
Puerto
Rico.
Nanny Cay Resort & Marina, event sponsor and official home of the
BVI IC24 fleet, is a full-service marina and boat repair facility
located within a
natural
basin on the south side of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. It
has berths for 180 motor cruisers and yachts up to a draft of 12 feet
and
storage space for 260 boats. Nanny Cay's boatyard has a 50 and 70 ton
Travelift; the latter capable of lifting catamarans up to 33 feet wide.
Riggers, sailmakers, provisioners, restaurants, marine engineers,
shipwrights, fiberglass specialists and yacht charter companies are all
based at
Nanny Cay.
Nanny Cay Hotel has forty-two apartments appointed with classic West
Indian design and easy access to tennis courts and a large swimming
pool.
Ting, Stella Artois, Penfolds Wine and Highland Spring Water will be in plentiful supply, all supplied by TICO.
For more information on Nanny Cay Marina and its services log on to www.nannycay.com.
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