ST. CROIX — Nineteen boats from the USVI, Puerto Rico and the BVI battled it out in the 24th Annual St. Croix International Regatta, November 11th-13th. While racers tested their skills in the Buck Island Channel, 23 young Optimists challenged each other in Teague Bay. Light winds of about 10 knots on Friday increased to 15 by Sunday and gave sailors a chance to prove their prowess.
Among the larger boats, divisions included CSA-Spinnaker, CSA-Non-Spinnaker, CSA-Multihull and Rhodes 19. Competition was tight, particularly in the Rhodes Class, and lead positions changed throughout the weekend.
Friday’s famous Captain Nick’s Race honored Nick Castruccio, former SCYC Commodore and founder of the regatta in 1992–at that time the Mumm’s Cup. Bad Monkey, skippered by Mike Royer, took first place in the Spinnaker division while Chris Stanton on Margaret secured top honors in Non-Spinnaker. Scott Stanton skippered 19ini which beat out Rhode Runner (Morgan Dale) and Chrys (Manuel Gutierrez) in the Rhodes 19 division. Joe San Martin on Piglet, the lone Multihull, aimed for a personal best.
Regatta racing commenced on Saturday; after nine competitive races (11 for the Opti sailors), race officials tallied the numbers, and Race Committee Director on the Water Julie San Martin presented awards to big boat winners. Karen Stanton awarded the Optimists. SCYC saluted two boats that cross the seas to contend every year–Pipedream from Tortola and Sun Bum II from Puerto Rico. Then winning skippers in divisions with six or more boats perch on one side of the great scales; rum (or Gatorade) is stacked on the other.
St. Croix’s Scott Stanton of 19ini took home five cases of Cruzan Rum while Opti sailor Nathan Haycraft of the BVI won his weight in the tamer stuff. Overall regatta winner Christopher Haycraft of Pipedream (BVI) a case of Cruzan.
Although a sailor or two may have grumbled over final results, nary a one filed a protest. “You can cross examine each other and bring in witnesses, but sometimes your evidence can work against you” explained Principal Race Officer Dick Neville from Maryland. According to Don Makowiecki, Race Judge, “You have one hour after the committee boat docks to protest.”
Final International Regatta Results:
CSA – Spinnaker (CSA – 5 Boats)
1. PIPEDREAM, IVB14, CHRISTOPHER HAYCRAFT – 2 -2 -3 -1 -1 -2 -2 ; 13
2. Crucian Confusion, ISV4041, Peter Stanton – 1 -6 -1 -6 -2 -1 -1 ; 18
3. Bad Monkey, USA41, Mike Royer – 3 -1 -2 -2 -3 -4 -3 ; 18
CSA – Non-Spinnaker (CSA – 4 Boats)
1. Margaret, USA302, Chris Stanton – 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 ; 8
2. El Shaddai II, USV1482, Dave Tomlinson – 3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -3 -2 ; 18
3. Nauticayenne, ISV364, Antonio F. Sanpere – 2 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -2 -3 ; 22
CSA – Multihull (CSA – 1 Boats)
1. Piglet, USA3, Joseph San Martin – 1 -1 -1 -1 ; 4
Rhodes 19 (One Design – 9 Boats)
1. 19ini, 1554, Scott Stanton – 2 -2 -1 -5 -1 -1 -1 -1 ; 14
2. Chrys, VIVI 64, Manuel Gutierrez – 1 -3 -2 -1 -3 -2 -2 -2 ; 16
3. Rhode Runner, ISVVI5, Edward Dale – 3 -1 -4 -3 -2 -3 -5 -3 ; 24
Note: Crucian Confusion is crewed by high school sailors. Find full results at www.yachtscoring.com.
Optimist Results:
Top Green Fleet Optimists
- Ryan Moorehead, STX
- Ariana Schwartz, STX
- Kael Chalwell, BVI
Top Optimists (White, Blue and Red Fleets)
- Nathan Haycraft, BVI
- Kyle Roose, BVI
- Milo Miller, STX
- Ryan Lettsome, BVI
- Carson Oakley, STX
- Samuel Allen, BVI
- Max Reshetiloff, BVI
For full results, visit http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/13356.
As well as fine racing,the St. Croix International 2016 Regatta featured a pig roast, a Crucian buffet, music, fire dancers, and plenty of rum. The SCYC extends big thanks to the VI Department of Tourism and Cruzan Rum.
Feature Image: Emelyn Morris-Sayre.
Tags: St. Croix International Regatta
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