Hello all,

The RC just started the Friday race and here is a line up of the Rolex Regatta in St. Thomas, USVI.

The surprise this year is that there is no cats flying spinnakers.

The fleet consists of H16's,H21, P19's, P19MX's and a I20 all in 1 class.

Yes, the winner gets a Rolex watch.

Kiki Figueroa ( Tornado, ICCT, F-18) is sailing a H16.

The winds are a steady 15mph with a typical blue sky and tropical blue waters. The air temp is 85 f and water temp is 79 f. The seas are down for it has been calm the last 2 weeks. Tomorrow calls for 15-20mph, and the same for Sunday

Here is a link to the results page.

http://www.rolexcupregatta.com/regatta/


Also a listing of sailors;

Beach Cats Division 6
Color: Turquoise
Bow Yacht Rating Owner Flag Sail # Length City State

WATERFIT JUNCO/, GRAULAU USA 412 16 CAROLINA PR

Flywind Francisco, Figueroa USA PUR 340 16 San Juan PR

A Cat Named Frankenstein, Brian Ostrander 19 Austin TX

Blame It On Rhea, Mark Chong USA VI 13 19 St. Thomas

Exdous Gaulin, Sam Naji USA 9788 21 St John

Rush, Bruce Merced USA 2112 19 st thomas VI

Suzuki/Red Bull, Enrique Figueroa USA PUR 2 16 San Juan

We Be Jammin, Dan Nickles USA 19 St. Thomas

WOW, Davis Murray USA 18 19 St. Thomas

Caribbean Auto Mart, Thomas Ainger USA 481 20 St. Croix

WE wish you all were here!

regards,
Bruce
St. Croix

Wow Bob thanks for the information. I cant wait to get down there with the F16. The Carribbean is intense and very unpredicatble. I am sure it will be nothing but tough races.

Better?

Hello All,
Pics , results and times are posted.

Go to the above link.

There is a nice pic of a P19MX, Mark Chong I believe. (see attachment)

Of course, pictured above is Kiki Figeroua,......maybe we all are doing it wrong,........get an auto dealer,..a drink company to sponser you and sail for a living !

...you can trade in your briefcase and grey suit for a wet suit and a gear bag

....more racing in about an hour,....clear sky,....big white puffy clouds,....seas are down (1-2 ft),....steady 15-18.

...Day 2 is 2 distance races. From St. Thomas YC 6 miles east to Charlotte Amalie harbor( downtown). This will take the racers on the south shore and the trade winds will be clear and unobstructed. There is a little eastward current too.It will be interesting to see the fleet amoung the cruise ships( St. T. is cruise ship capital of the world).

Race 2 today will return the fleet upwind 6 miles back to the St. T YC. The wind will be on the nose and local knowledge will prevail, as to lifts, funnels and current off the cliffs.

Stay tuned. Looks like a great day to race. Maybe the Hobie 16's will have a ratings battle today.

regards,
Bruce
St. Croix

ps; Is Lake Erie and Michigan still frozen?
(..I had to say it,...I am from Toledo.....and left)

You lucky people. Went out for a short training sail (giving not receiving) and we had all sorts of stuff thrown at us.

Sunshine to start, then big clounds built, this gave some rain and then, wait for it, Hail. Yes cold icy stuff falling out of the sky - and I can tell you, IT HURTS.

Roll on Summer

Hello All,

Day 2 is complete.

Go to this link for the story;

http://www.caribbeanracing.com/artman/publish/article_634.shtml

The results can be found at the first link.
http://www.rolexcupregatta.com/regatta/

The H 16's are digging in. I have an story told that a P19 was run over by a charter boat, will confirm.....yikes!

Day 3 will be one race. It is a distance race up the east end of St. thomas, between St. John and north toward Jost Van Dyke. No stopping at Foxy's is allowed.

More later

regards,

Bruce
St. Croix

Final report,

Who says a Hobie 16 is not an 'ocean going' boat

The final tally shows;

1st - H16 - Puerto rico ( Kiki F. and wife)

2nd - H16 - Puerto Rico ( E. Fig., not same as above)

3rd - H16 - Puerto Rico ( see link)

4th - P19MX - St. Thomas

5th - H16 - Puerto Rico

6th - I20 - St. Croix

Nice picute in attachment of a P-19 'We be Jammin'" laying a line and the St. Thomas hillside and resort in the background.

On to BVI this week!

regards,
Bruce
St. Croix