VX Ones are set to sail in its first-ever class at the St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR) set for March 25-27, 2016 and hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club. What’s more, organizers will also welcome entries to tune-up in an all-new round the island race scheduled for March 24. This exceptional program of serious world class yacht racing continues to earn the STIR the status of Crown Jewel of Caribbean Yacht Racing. “We are excited to offer these new classes. It is a perfect fit with our philosophy of giving sailors what they want within the changing trends in global yacht racing. The new one-day pre-STIR race gives visitors and locals alike a chance to tune-up as well as another way to win big,” says regatta director, Chuck Pessler. Eleven VX Ones are currently registered to sail in the first VX One Caribbean Cup, of which STIR 2016 is the first leg, including Australia’s Michael James. “Being able to fly in from Australia and be part of the VX One’s debut in the regatta and meet up with other owners was just too good to miss out on. This regatta will be the biggest fleet of VX’s that I have sailed against, and if the competition is as good as it is here in Australia, it will take 100 percent concentration to be successful. Plus the parties look like they are going to be great fun,” says James, who placed second in the 2015 Australia Sports Boat Association Mid-Winters aboard his VX One, the Beast. Tim Pitts, vice president of the VX One Class Association and a native of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, anticipates a total of 18 of these swift three-man keel boats on the start line in March. “The VX One Caribbean Cup, which spans two of the Caribbean’s foremost regattas–the STIR and BVI Spring Regatta, is a huge step for the VX One Class. This series represents the Class’ first-ever international event, and it has drawn entries from the US, Australia and UK. These boats are perfectly suited to Caribbean racing. We look forward to hot racing and stiff competition as the group of entered VX One racers dance amid an international line-up,” says Nicklaus Fordham, series organizer. The 2016 STIR promises challenging courses, professional race management and island-style hospitality. Register online at www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=1502. The NOR is available at www.stthomasinternationalregatta.com. Check STIR out on Facebook (www.facebook.com/stirvi), Twitter @stycvi and Instagram #STIR2016. STIR 2016 in sponsored by Cruzan Rum and Presidente, distributed by Glazer’s Premier Distributors; and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
