Welcome Sailors,

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the 38th annual International Rolex Regatta and Virgin Islands Race Week.

On behalf of the St. Thomas Yacht Club and our principal regatta sponsors, Rolex and A. H. Riise, we are honored to offer sailors from around the world three days of unparalleled competition and shore side fun.

The fourth weekend of March is now etched into every racer’s calendar as the time when the “Crown Jewel” of Caribbean racing takes place--where sailors can experience our reliable breezes, warm azure waters and world-renowned Island hospitality.  If you’ve joined us in the past, you know that the competition and the camaraderie are unsurpassed. If you are contemplating making the trip for the very first time, please know that we will do our utmost to make it a special regatta just for you.

We pride ourselves on running a regatta that is easy to participate in, but a challenge to win.  From registration to scoring, from complimentary breakfast & coffee to post race island style bbq & rum, the regatta operates out of our Club.  From your mooring in Cowpet Bay, its mere minutes to and from the race course each day, allowing you to take full advantage of all the Club and Islands have to offer. 

Our courses are a high caliber mix of round the Island distance races and windward/leewards designed to test your skills and showcase the stunning shoreline.  Reliable tradewinds ensure the excellent conditions you’ve come to expect year after year. We are delighted to welcome back Principal Race Officer Dave Brennan, along with a team of top-tier international judges. As always, the dedicated and hard working volunteers from St. Thomas Yacht Club will provide the “people power” for the events on land and at sea. 

This year’s day one morning course offers a downwind start and stretches to Charlotte Amalie Harbor, giving the racers an opportunity to see St. Thomas’ beautiful and historic capital.  The afternoon race starts in town and finishes back at the Club.  Day 2 round-the-buoy racing will be held in the Caribbean Ocean, south of Cowpet Bay.  The final day's racing takes place on scenic Pillsbury Sound, in and around our beautiful Cays. The Rolex Awards Ceremony, which takes place on the beach Sunday evening, will again be of epic memory-making proportions, highlighting by presentation of an abundance of prizes and video by T2P.tv.  

The International Rolex Regatta is the leg one of Virgin Island Race Week.  The second half of the series continues as BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival. We welcome you to take full advantage of everything that our Club and Islands have to offer as you enjoy 9 days of unsurpassed sailing pleasure.

Cordially,

John Sweeney and Bill Canfield
Regatta Directors