The regatta is being hosted by Nanny Cay Marina between March 26 and April 1, giving enthusiasts just enough time to arrange a last-minute sailing vacation.

At this year's legendary yacht racing event, the Dutch Grand Soleil 43, Antilope is expected to turn a few heads.

Former Volvo Ocean Race skipper, Bouwe Bekking, who has completed six round-the-world events, described how staying in charter facilities will give the Antilope's crew an edge.

He said: "The British Virgin Islands is just a fantastic place and rather than put the crew in a house, we have chartered a catamaran for the event. It means that we can stay right in the marina and enjoy all of the dockside fun.

"Nanny Cay Marina is very sheltered so all the crew can enjoy a comfortable sleep on board with no problem at all and friends and family can also use the catamaran to enjoy a day out on the water."

Yacht clubs from all over the world have been invited to take part in the International Yacht Club Challenge (IYCC). Individual clubs can select teams to charter a boat from Sunsail to compete in the event.

The winning club will receive a Sunsail charter for a week, which - it is hoped - they will choose to use at next year's regatta to defend their title.

David Higgins, who will be representing Gavin's Point Yacht Club in South Dakota, US, explained the simple seasonal delights associated with sailing around the British Virgin Islands.

He said: "We love to race and the British Virgin Islands is a wonderful location, at a time of the year when we are experiencing near-freezing temperatures in the Mid-West. Roll on March, we are all so looking forward to coming out to the BVIs."

When it comes to yacht charter in the BVI area, proceedings run like a well-oiled machine, with deals to suit virtually anyone.

For the regatta there are special packages incorporating race measurement and registration as well as full provisioning.

If any teams are in need of a qualified skipper with local knowledge that can also be arranged.

Sunsail's Josie Tucci said: "The BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival is a superb combination of warm-weather racing and fun partying. So it makes sense for us to support this important local event.

"There's nothing like racing in a Caribbean climate, beautiful blue-water racing, friendly competition, great bars and local food."

For additional information about race entries, or to book a charter, you can visit the Sunsail website.

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Sunsail offers a wide choice of sailing vacations with over 800 yachts in 30 locations worldwide. Alongside Yacht Charter and Flotilla Sailing vacations, Sunsail also offers Beach Clubs, Sailing Schools, Team Building and Events, and new for 2011, Sunsail Racing. Sunsail was founded in 1974 and is a proud member of TUI Travel^® Group. For more information on sailing vacations, request a brochure or call the Sunsail Team at 1-888-350-3568.