Tortola, British Virgin Islands – Switching things up slightly in 2026, the legendary Caribbean Regatta, the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, commences on March 24 with the Sailing Festival. The fleet will partake in a friendly 11 nautical mile race to Scrub Island Resort, Spa, and Marina, culminating in a beach party at Marina Cay. This event serves as an excellent warm-up ahead of the renowned Round Tortola Race for the Nanny Cay Cup scheduled for March 25. After a lay day on March 26, the excitement ramps up with the three-day Spring Regatta starting on March 27 – Mount Gay Race Day.
Boats and competitors have begun arriving at Nanny Cay Resort and Marina, excited for a week filled with first-rate sailboat racing, hot trade winds, warm waters, and vibrant parties. The Swiss team racing on the Beneteau 47.7 Kali expresses their eagerness to enjoy the ocean conditions, far removed from their typical lake racing. Crew member Serge Rechlin, competing in his first BVISR, shares their practice experiences with both symmetrical and asymmetrical spinnakers. “We’re looking forward to getting a lot of sailing in and having a lot of fun,” Rechlin states.
Solid teams from Puerto Rico, including the J/100 Freelance, made the journey to Tortola, experiencing a fantastic weather window for the 85-mile trip from San Juan. Owner and skipper Antonio Mari recounted their excitement upon arrival, saying, “It was a champagne sailing; you couldn’t get any better. We put just one tack in all the way, it was extremely dry, and we were fast as lightning. We are excited to race against friends on the J/105 Kairos.”
Local Tortola sailor Nathan Haycraft anticipates fierce competition against his father, Chris Haycraft, as they race their Corsair multihulls in the Sport Multihull class. Nathan holds the current class title and is thrilled to race in familiar waters with forecasted wind conditions of 15-20 knots, perfect for action-packed racing. “The Regatta Village is unlike anything we see here in the BVI and is just as important as the racing – we can’t wait for it,” he said.
The BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival appreciates its sponsors, including Scrub Island Resort, Spa and Marina. General Manager Sandra Grisham-Clothier expresses her enthusiasm for welcoming participants and spectators from around the world, emphasising the event’s blend of thrilling racing, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality.
Details for the regatta can be found at bvispringregatta.org. The event will be active on all social media channels, highlighting news, photos, and videos throughout the 53rd edition.
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