Official Regatta Information

The information given in this section is just to give you a basic idea about the various regattas.

For more up-to-date information about organizing authorities, racing rules and regulations, programs, racing classes, handicap systems, entry, etc., contact the individual racing committee: www.bvispringregatta.org

Background Racing Information

When racing, it is better to have a lower rating.  This means that when you are taking part in the race, there will be less time added to your racing time.  The higher the rating is; the more time that is added to your racing time.  Charterers will obviously wish to have the lowest rating possible.

If the yacht has a furling mainsail, then their rating is lower, as in theory it takes longer to get around the course, whereas if they have a fully battened mainsail, the rating is higher as in theory the yacht will get around the course quicker.

Entry & Registration

Entries are limited to yachts with valid Caribbean Sailing Association Rating Certificates, except for the Jib & Main classes which will use the BVI Simplified CYA Rule, Multihulls & Beach Cats.  Boat information forms for Jib & Main classes are available from the Spring Regatta Committee.

Entries must be made on the official Entry Form which can be obtained from the following sources:

The Spring Regatta Booklet,
The Spring Regatta Committee, PO Box 200, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Tel: 284 494 3286, Fax: 284 494 6117, Email:  bviyc@caribsurf.com
On-line entry form www.bvispringregatta.org

Dates for 2012

BVI Spring Regatta 2012 – March 26 to April 1.

Entry Closing Dates

The closing date for entry into the BVI Spring Regatta is 30 days prior to the start. Anyone wishing to enter the race after this time will be liable to a supplement and is subject to Rac

Booking & Price Information

Base: Tortola
Actual race days: March 26 - April 1, 2012
Suggested dates for charter: March 24 - April 2, 2012
Suggested booking: 9 days, 2 days before start of race, and 1 day after end of race
Type of Race: This is an international race which consists of buoy racing and could have some point to point racing.
All Security Deposits and Insurances must be paid in advance of the charter.

Classes & Classification

Assignment of yachts to a particular class rests entirely with the Regatta Committee, whose decision will be final. The Regatta Committee reserves the right to create additional classes if needed. Within the Spinnaker and Non-spinnaker Divisions will be the following classes:

Racer/Cruiser

For cruising yachts who wish to race with spinnakers.

Cruising

For cruising yachts who wish to race without spinnakers but use racing type sails and a spinnaker pole or some form of bearing out spar.

Jib & Main

For cruising yachts in cruising mode, i.e. stripping out and lightening is not allowed, who wish to race with cruising type sails and set only one jib and one mainsail.  A yacht with more than one mast may carry a mizzen sail.  The use of staysails or any downwind type sails is not allowed.  Cat type rigs are excluded from this class.

Bareboat

Yachts in this class must be owned or managed by a known bareboat operator acceptable to the Regatta Committee.  Such yachts will be assigned to this class unless application is received and permission is granted by the Regatta Committee to enter another class.  Yachts shall conform with all restrictions for the Jib & Main Class except as follows:

Racing numbers will be supplied
Cat type rigs are allowed
Spinnaker poles or other forms of bearing out spars are not allowed

Yachts must carry all the equipment normally carried on a bareboat charter except for the dinghy and its motor, oars and fuel tank.  Biminis may be removed.  Yachts must comply with all safety requirements including section 4c of the Sailing Instructions which states, “No part of an anchor shall overhang the bow while racing.”