Oct. 16, 2006 – The St. Thomas Radiology Women's Sailing Regatta and Tennis Tournament, set for Nov. 10 – 12, at the St. Thomas Yacht Club, will again promote women's sailing, tennis and camaraderie.
"It's a weekend where women can get together with one another, renew old friendships and create new ones, while having the chance to compete in a sport they really enjoy," says Verian Aguilar, who is co-chairing the event with Jessica Rosenberg.
St. Thomas's Nance Frank, with assistance from Dee Spear, started the women's sailing regatta as a one-day event back in 1986. Over the years, this event has grown from one day to three with over 60 women from the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Antigua, St. Maarten, all three U.S. Virgin Islands and the U.S. mainland participating. In addition, five-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year and former World Women's Laser Champion, Betsy Allison, visited to coach participants in 2000 and 2001. As a direct result of this event, Antigua and St. Maarten have organized Ladies Laser competitions, developing a Caribbean Women's Laser Circuit. "Through these regattas, more women feel at ease entering the world of sailing," Rosenberg says.
After a five-year lull, the women's sailing regatta is back with the new twist of a simultaneous tennis tournament. "There aren't enough tennis tournaments on the island, and no women's events," says Elsbeth Rowaan-Bartlett, tournament organizer. "Like the sailing regatta, we hope to entice women who normally don't play in tournaments. Women of all ages from 13 up are invited."
Teen girls and women, ages 12 and older, are welcome to enter the regatta portion of the event. Classes include Lasers – Radial and 4.7 sails – and Club 420's. Lasers are single-sail dinghies recognized as an Olympic class and skippered by one person. Club 420's are the high school sailing dinghy of choice and sailed by two people: a skipper and a crew. The double-handed feature of the Club 420 allows women to team up and race. This is an excellent opportunity for women who aren't sure they're able to skipper a dinghy themselves or for mother-daughter teams. The race format will be round robins on windward-leeward and triangular-shaped courses in Cowpet Bay, St. Thomas. Maurice Kurg will be conducting a practice clinic on Nov. 10, while Carlos Aguilar will lead a rules seminar.
The cost to enter the sailing event is $95 per person, which includes the entry fee, T-shirt and meals.
The tennis portion of the event will include Women's A, Women's B and Women's Open Doubles. Matches will be a best-of-three tiebreak sets, depending on the number of entrants. Balls and T-shirts will be provided. The registration fee is singles $30/person, doubles $20/person, and $45 for two events.
On land, sailors and tennis players will enjoy meals together, live entertainment and an Awards BBQ.
For more information and to register, contact the St. Thomas Yacht Club at 775-6320.