The Veuve Clicquot Women’s Laser Regatta began Friday morning at the Yacht Club of St. Thomas on Cowpet Bay. Sixty racers began the day with a healthy breakfast of fruit and yogurt, then spent over four hours interacting with champion racer Betsy Allison. At 1 p.m., the ladies climbed aboard their boats and sailed off to put their world class instruction into practice.
This is the thirteenth year Veuve Clicquot Champaign has sponsored the Caribbean Woman’s Laser Championship. This year there is an added sponsorship from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The regatta director is Ruth Miller assisted by William Westman who manages the pit crew responsible for rigging and repairing the boats, and Charles Balch who is the Race Committee director responsible for the actual operation of the races. The event began on Thursday evening so the ladies could become reacquainted with old friends, meet new ones, and compare champagnes. After a couple hours of tasting Veuve Clicquot, everyone is in a most receptive frame of mind.
Friday morning has evolved into a cram session of racing rules, go fast tidbits, and sailing etiquette. The ladies are encouraged to bring their experiences, fears, and questions to the group for informed discussion and resolution. In the afternoon, the racers put their instruction into practice on the water sailing several sets of singles and doubles. Since all sailors rotate through the 15 boat fleet, everyone has an equal opportunity to draw a particularly fast boat. This technique places a higher demand for skill, and luck in the wind and current rather than the equipment.
Friday night the ladies will enjoy a Mexican dinner buffet with life music. After all, one of the primary tenants in sailing is partying with your mates. Saturday will be a full day on the water including a lunch at sea as the women trade around on the available boats. The evening is relegated to a barbecue buffet and more live music. Sunday is a morning of racing followed by a buffet lunch on shore with a Champaign bar and awards ceremony.