2010 Premier's Cup Regatta
2010 PREMIER'S CUP INTERNATIONAL REGATTA HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL
Monday, 12 July 2010 - Road Town, Tortola: Great fellowship, wonderful sportsmanship, good weather, no incidents, loads of fun and a win for the third straight year for Team St. Thomas. This twelfth annual event was held at the Nanny Cay Resort on Tortola, BVI over the weekend.
Teams of teenagers from seven (7) different countries took part this year in the midst of faltering world economies and high plane fares. Despite these obstacles, according to all reports from the organizers, sponsors, participants and volunteers, this was a highly successful Regatta.
Crews need hearty meals - starting with breakfast
Then pre-race briefings - The course, the rules
A good start for the first race
On a beat for the first mark
Rounding the mark in heavy traffic
And some close calls, but not a single protest or penalty
Wing on wing heading for the finish with many races to go
Friday and Saturday nights after hearty dinners, the kids slept in 19 tents provided by the Rotary Clubs
Tent city - easy to meet your neighbors - impossible not to
After two days of racing, Team Anguilla won second place, with the British Virgin Islands home team placing third.
Team Tortola - Third place
In 4th place was Puerto Rico, 5 th St. Croix, 6th Bequia -and 7th Team USA. Unlike the more experienced crews. Team USA had only been learning sailing for the past few weeks and this was their first racing experience. For their fortitude and good spirits they were unanimously Awarded the Good Sportsmanship Trophy.
Premier Honourable Ralph O'Neal OBE awarding Team St. Thomas its trophy
The Premier's Cup International Youth Regatta is organized by Kids And The Sea (KATS) and the Rotary Clubs of the BVI. Digicel of the BVI was the primary sponsor. Additional sponsors making significant contributions included The Moorings, Nanny Cay Resort, LIAT, Nagico and the North Sound Foundation.
In his remarks at the closing awards ceremony on Sunday, KATS Chairman John Lewis reflected on the establishment of KATS 20 years ago and the previous regattas, and had high praise for everyone who has contributed to the success of the programme to date.
KATS Director Tom Gerker said the 12th Annual Premier's Cup International Youth Regatta was outstanding. "We had two great days, but I think what stands out the most is the phenomenal good sportsmanship by all of these fine young people. It was excellent sailing and great competition. It was just a fantastic event and the kids had fun. Our goal is to make sure that the kids get together and meet each other and form friendships. I think we did our job and we're real happy about that."
Patron of the regatta, Premier Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE, also speaking at the closing, thanked everyone who helped in any way to put on the regatta and congratulated all of the teams, especially the winning team from St. Thomas and the participating team from the USA.
"Thank you for giving up your time, finance and effort to make this event a success," Premier O'Neal stated. "I also want to congratulate our near-by neighbor St. Thomas on their accomplishment and I hope they come back next year and keep coming back."
He said as word spreads about the KATS programme and the regatta, other institutions would become interested in helping to develop the programme and expand the event. "I think I can say with certainty that we in the British Virgin Islands would always be ready to give of our best to the visitors."