St Thomas International Regatta Has Full Slate of Boats

The St. Thomas International Regatta kicks off Wednesday with five days of events including world-class racing. It’s the 41st year for the regatta but the first with a change in name and sponsorship.

According to the

St John Source

, after 40 years as the primary sponsor for the event, watchmaker Rolex has reduced its involvement. But regatta organizers say the show will go on, with the V.I. Department of Tourism stepping in as primary sponsor.

“Rolex has been a wonderful partner for 40 years allowing us to put on excellent regattas," director Bill Canfield told the international racing website www.regatta.com. “Rolex will remain heavily involved with the 2014 regatta but we are in a transition period. It is our promise the event will continue to offer fantastic racing and shore side activities from 2015 onward.”

Rolex's most recent three-year sponsorship contract expires this year. Over the years the luxury watchmaker's involvement in the world of sailing has grown, including sponsorship of the Rolex Yachtsmen and Rolex Yachtswomen of the year awards and huge, high profile events such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in Australia.

Organizers of the St. Thomas International Regatta announced in December that the Department of Tourism would step up its longtime sponsorship support.

“We feel it’s important to both the sailing and marine industries for this regatta to continue, so we decided to increase our support,” said Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “The regatta shines a global spotlight on the U.S. Virgin Islands and, at the same time, welcomes hundreds of visitors to the territory.”

More than 1,000 sailors, families and friends attend the St. Thomas regatta annually, according to Tourism. Economic impact data shows attendees spend an average of $250 per day per person in hotels, rental cars, taxis, restaurants, shops, provisions and other expenditures. This adds up to a total of over $1.1 million dollars to the territory’s treasury from this three-day sailing event.

The regatta will be accompanied by the first STIR Golf Tournament, which tees off at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The entry fee is $97 for V.I. residents with their own clubs and $135 for visitors who need clubs. Prizes for the first, second and third place teams will be awarded at the regatta awards ceremony March 30.

After the golf, visitors and residents can quench their thirsts beginning at 5 p.m. at the St. Thomas Yacht Club. The Red Hook Pub Crawl is scheduled to follow from 9 p.m. to midnight. Shuttle service from the STYC starts at 9 p.m.

Sailors and landlubbers alike are invited to the Regatta Welcome Party at the STYC on Thursday. The Ah We Band plays from 7 to 10 p.m. Dinner will available for purchase.

The action shifts to the seas Friday when a fleet of more than 70 yachts from the Caribbean, U.S., Europe, Russia and Australia set sail starting at 11 a.m. for Charlotte Amalie harbor and race day.

Fans can watch from the waterfront as the fleet sails into the harbor and then starts on a second race back to the island’s east end. Back on shore, the Jump-Up Party will take place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the yacht club. The Becca Darling Band will play from 3 to 6 p.m., with Cool Sessions brass taking over from 7 to 11 p.m.

Racing continues March 29. In the afternoon, there will be music by Sol from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at STYC. Then a new STIR tradition will be launched – with the Captain Morgan Yacht Haven Grande Party from 6:30 to 11 p.m. featuring Spectrum Band on stage and dining and drinking at nearby restaurants and bars.

Sailors launch off the final day of competition March 30 to determine who takes their places on the podium. Music by Full Circle will greet the fleet from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The St. Thomas International Regatta is sponsored by Captain Morgan and Heineken, distributed by Bellows International, Little Switzerland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

MARCH 28 UPDATE:  Big winds make for a great start for the Regatta. Details courtesy of the Sailing Scutterbut with a fabulous video.

St John newsletter - March and April happenings around the island

Our monthly St John newsletter for April which we distribute to all those who love St John and want to be kept up-to-date about happenings on and around our wonderful island. If you would like to sign up for the monthly newsletter, there is a 'sign up' box at the bottom  of the blue column on the right of this page. Enjoy!

Trip Advisor names St John as one of the
World's 10 best islands

I took this picture of Trunk Bay while attending one of world-renowned
Steve Simonsen's photography seminars (highly recommended!) 

What do Bora Bora, Santorini, and St John have in common? Well they are all islands, but there are literally millions of islands in the world so that is not it. These islands, and 7 others, made the coveted list of Trip Advisor's 2013 list of the 10 Best Islands in the World! Not too shabby! Those of you who have been to St John understand why we made the list. Those of you who have not been here yet, will see for yourselves when you step on the island for the first time. The beauty of St John is ever-present. Our mountainous topography offers a wonderful vista around every bend. Our crystal clear, warm, turquoise waters are magically beautiful. And, it is just as pretty underwater as it is above.  I believe, though, we also made the list because of what we do not have. Two-thirds of St John is part of the US National Park system so we will be forever green and those lands should never, ever be developed. We also do not have casinos, movie theaters, airports, cruise ships (well, yes, day trippers come over from St Thomas, but no huge cruise ships can get close enough to dock in our harbors, just sailboats and small power boats).  Trip Advisor writes that "Ecotourism is alive and kicking on St. John. There's more than enough to do on land, from watching for wildlife in the national park to hiking miles of trails or strolling sandy white beaches. Hit the water for amazing snorkeling, swimming, even underwater photography—of course. This is the Caribbean, after all."  Trip Advisor lists 48 'Things to Do' and if that is not enough our wonderful Concierge, Coby, can add to that list for you!

April St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• One of the reasons St John made the 'Best Islands' list this year is the commitment we have to the environment. Virgin Islands Ecotours is the leading eco-tour company offering a variety of tours many of which start off at their new Honeymoon Beach location at Caneel Bay, in the Virgin Islands National Park on St John. There are also private tours for families or wedding parties.Their award-winning tours combine kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling into a unforgettably fun and educating experience emphasizing our leave no trace style ecotourism. Experience it for yourself first through their video and then for yourself when you next visit St John. 

• April is Carnival Season on St Thomas and this year is every bit as festive and fun as the first St Thomas Carnival over 101 years ago in 1912. This year's Carnival officially began on March 31 and ends on April 27th. The St Thomas's Festival (aka Carnival) is filled with music, food, and parades as are all the Virgin Islands Carnivals, but, somehow this one is more rambunctious and wild than the others. If you want to experience a Caribbean Carnival, but do not want to be overwhelmed on St Thomas come to St John during our Carnival season which is calmer, but still colorful (mid-June to July 4th). 

• Spring also brings sailing regattas to the Virgin Islands. The 40th Annual International Rolex Regatta was held last month with St Thomas Yacht Club hosting the races. The weather during this year's race was picture perfect as many of the  local photographers captured in dramatic ways. The weather during the recent British Virgin Islands Spring Regatta was not as blue, but the strong winds and rain (yes, rain) made for dramatic sailing and some wonderful pictures as well. 

• If you want to keep up with All Things St John  there is a great app for you. News of St John Blog reports that the app, My Virgin Islands, is new and improved and now provides information, by island, about beaches, shopping, services, events, accommodations (and yes, you can find our villa,  Great Expectations, which is the only villa rated with 5 stars!), and restaurants. Given the popularity of this app I sure would put it in your 'favorites' and check back often for updates. The app is iPhone, iPad, iTouch, and Android friendly and best of all, it is free!

• Great Expectations has a few openings this spring and summer. What better way of ending the winter than enjoying the warmth of the Caribbean? Contact us today to take advantage of our last minute specials this May and June.
   

Best,

Chuck & Kristin

owners of Great Expectations

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news about Great Expectations specials & St John activities

Perfect weather around the Virgin Islands for the 40th Rolex Regatta

This weekend's weather cooperated nicely for the 40th Rolex Regatta. Not a hardship to be out on the waters taking these shots that is for sure:

And finally, a wonderful video which makes you feel (and wish) you were 

actually on one of the boats:

The St John Source has a great article detailing the excitement of the 3 day race and how several of the classes were fighting to the last race for the overall lead. For even more details of the Regatta and how each of the classes fared you can look at the Rolex International website.