Registration Now Open for the 51st St. Thomas International Regatta
by Carol Bareuther 6 Oct 08:31 PDT
Scheduled for March 28-30, 2025
J-121 Apollo competing at the 2024 St. Thomas International Regatta © Ingrid Abery / www.ingridabery.com
Prepare to check off a “must-do” Caribbean regatta from your list! Registration is officially open for the 2025 St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR) scheduled for March 28-30, 2025.
Organized by the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), this regatta invites elite international, regional, and local competitors to race on expertly designed courses. Also open for registration is the Round the Rocks Race (RTR), which goes around the nearby island of St. John on March 27, 2025. The RTR is a fantastic way to prepare for STIR and offers an additional opportunity to podium. With its classic Caribbean beach atmosphere and an accommodating approach from organizers, it’s clear why STIR has been a hallmark Caribbean regatta for over 50 years.
“Sailors can anticipate exceptional handicap and one-design races on around-the-island and buoy courses skillfully managed by some of the world’s leading race directors. In 2025, we are excited to host the VX One class as part of the VX One Caribbean Cup and the IC24 Caribbean Championship during STIR. Our friendly atmosphere and welcoming hospitality are equally renowned, along with a popular onshore event,” says Pat Bailey, co-director of STIR 2025 alongside Greer Scholes. “As we like to say, ‘We Love It Here,’ and we encourage you to register now and race with us in March.”
Early Registration Discount
All are welcome! STIR 2025 invites CSA (Caribbean Sailing Association handicap rule), ORC, Multihull, CSA Bareboat, IC24, VX One, Hobie Waves, and One Design classes with a minimum length of 19 feet. Early registrants pay only U.S. $170 until January 31, 2025. Between February 1 and March 27, 2025, the entry fee rises to U.S. $370 for all classes, except for $230 for IC24s and VX Ones, and $150 for Hobie Waves. A limited number of IC24s and Hobie Waves are available to charter from the St. Thomas Sailing Center (STSC).
NEW! VX One Caribbean Cup and IC24 Caribbean Championship
Introducing in STIR 2025 are the VX One Caribbean Cup and the IC24 Caribbean Championship.
The VX One Caribbean Cup 2025 gives sailors of this one-design boat a chance to compete in two consecutive regattas: STIR, March 28-30, 2025, and the BVI Spring Regatta (BVISR), April 4-6, 2025. As of September 2024, nearly 12 boats from the VX One North American class association are confirmed to participate, with expectations of a total of 18 or more. In the North American fleet, many former Olympians, America’s Cup participants, and professional sailors enjoy racing the VX One simply for fun, as the fleet is entirely unpaid. A comprehensive package for boat transport, registration, loading, and unloading is available by contacting Tim Pitts at +1 (401) 419-9010 or via Email.
Twenty IC24s are anticipated to race as a one-design class at STIR. In 2025, this will be an event-within-an-event called the 2025 IC24 Caribbean Championship. New for this year is a scoring change that allows for one discard with the completion of 7 or more races, as well as a class party and a special overall prize.
Charter or Bring Your Own Boat
Chartering is a quick and easy way to fly in, board a race-ready yacht, and get sailing!
The STSC has a limited number of Hobie Waves and IC24s available for race charter at STIR 2025, with the IC24 charter fee set at U.S. $3200 for club members and $3700 for non-members.
“The St. Thomas Sailing Center provides an IC24 race-ready package, so you can arrive, step onto the boat, and start racing! Additionally, we are hosting a full-day clinic on the Wednesday preceding the event, led by professional coaches and local experts who will impart invaluable local insights. These sessions will include video analysis and team debriefs,” says Robert ‘Bobby’ Brooks, director of STSC.
For an additional option, the J/120, J-aguar, is available for full boat charter for STIR 2025 through Caribbean Races or via Email.
LV Yachting, located in the UK, offers two vessels for charter during STIR: Emily of Cowes (Elan 450) and El Ocaso (J122). To make a reservation, visit LV Yachting.
“St. Thomas provides a fantastic regatta experience with world-class race management and excellent courses that navigate through the cuts and cays around the islands. The views are stunning! After the competition, the St. Thomas Yacht Club warmly welcomes everyone, and there is great live music most nights,” says Lucy Jackson, director of LV Yachting.
For those wishing to BYOB (bring your own boat), Caribbean Regatta Logistics, managed by local Ben Beer, can assist owners and teams in transporting their vessels for the race. Beer manages logistics for major international racing teams competing in the Caribbean, including Vesper, Prospector, Spookie, and all 72s. (Cell (340) 998-6203; Email), Web: Caribbean Regatta Logistics.
The STIR Website will be consistently updated with race charter opportunities.
Book Your Flights and Accommodations Now!
Undoubtedly, STIR is the most accessible of all Caribbean regattas. The host destination, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, welcomes direct flights from six major airlines operating from several key U.S. mainland cities. This includes American Airlines (Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, New York), Delta (Atlanta, New York), Frontier (San Juan), JetBlue (Boston, San Juan), Spirit (Fort Lauderdale, Orlando), and United (Houston, Newark, Washington-Dulles). Air Sunshine, Cape Air, Fly the Whale, Sea Flight, and SKYhigh Dominicana operate within the Caribbean, servicing St. Thomas.
Accommodations on St. Thomas include resorts, hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and timeshares, with around 600 villa units and 200 charter yachts available in St. Thomas/St. John. Additionally, there are over 3,000 Airbnb listings in St. Thomas. For further details about the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit Visit US Virgin Islands.
For more information, visit St. Thomas International Regatta.
