“Luxury Girl” skippered by Guy Eldridge won the 17th Annual Firecracker 500 Yacht Regatta. (Photo by Geoffrey Brooks)

The race sponsored and run by the Loyal West End Yacht Club and hosted by the Jolly Roger Bar and Restaurant began with a Captain’s meeting at 9 am followed by the start of the race at 10 am.  There were 9 entries this year and the race lasted just under five and a half hours with the last finisher coming across the line just after 3:30 pm.

The race, although long, featured a variety of sea conditions from: Windy, to no wind, to stormy, with at least three squalls breaking up the action and soaking the participants.  No fear, they were all experienced sailors and the changing conditions made for a fun and exciting afternoon.  After the race everyone returned to the Jolly Roger for “Lou’s Famous Chili Cook-off” (eight different home made recipes were sampled and the top three were voted on by the crowd). The firecracker 500 is one of seven regattas run by the Loyal West End Yacht Club Annually. The WEYC is a non profit organization and is located at the Jolly Roger Restaurant in Soper’s Hole West End, Tortola.  The proceeds from this regatta were donated to the “Kids and the Sea “ program and $500.00 was raised at this Regatta.

The awards ceremony followed and the results are listed below:

1st place “Luxury Girl” Beneteau 10R, Captain Guy Eldridge

2nd place “Rascal” Cal 40, Captain Adrian Sintin

3rd Place “Sea Biscuit” Beneteau 445, Captain Pat Nolan

4th Place “Stella Di Mare” Grand Soliel Captain Eric Groenenborg

5th Place “Wildfire” Edel Cat 35, Captain John Hayes

7th Place “Ruffian” Pipedream 36, Captain Marty Halpern

8th Place “Lively Lady” CN 35, Captain Steve Davis

9th Place “Invictus II” Beneteau 445, Captain Jack Glassman

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment