BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival kicks off with a Mount Gay Party at Nanny Cay.

With good weather and breeze predicted for the week, the 2009 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival kicked off today with registration for the Sailing Festival and a Mount Gay Welcome Party. Forty eight boats ranging from Hotel California, a Santa Cruz 70, sailing in the Cruising Class, and a brand new sleek racing machine, a Richel Pugh 52, Vinciitore, to boats straight out of the local bareboat charter fleets are registered for the low pressure precursor to the main event, the BVI Spring Regatta.

Bob Phillips, Chairman of the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, was pleased with the turnout. "This is another record turnout for the Sailing Festival. Such is the attraction of Bitter End Yacht Club and North Sound that even in these tough times sailors just need to be there."

Tomorrow's race takes the competitors upwind, from event host, Nanny Cay, to the Bitter End Yacht Club, as the fleet competes for the Bitter End Cup. Once at Bitter End there are a host of activities planned. On Wednesday, competitors and fans have the choice to lie around by the pool, on the beach, or to spend almost every daylight hour on the water competing in dinghy races in North Sound or competing in the Round Virgin Gorda race.

Thursday should be a downhill sleigh ride back to Nanny Cay as the fleet competes for the Nanny Cay Cup. As the fleet finishes racing, the Nanny Cay Regatta Village will be officially opening and the scene of the Mount Gay party late Thursday afternoon. At that point, the Regatta Village will be a happening place as more than 100 entries are expected. The main event, BVI Spring Regatta, is Friday, April 3, through Sunday, April 5.

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