IMS600s at BVI Spring Regatta

The organisers move to attract the new Admiral's Cup class

Given the growing popularity of a variety of production racer/cruisers in the 40-foot range, the 2003 BVI Spring Regatta presented by Nanny Cay Marina will include, if entries warrant, a one-design class dedicated to boats ranging in rating from IMS 585 to 615 GPH (General Purpose Handicap) and size from 35.76 feet (10.9 metres) to 42.32 feet (12.9 metres) - the IMS 600 Class. Among the more popular designs in that range are the Beneteau 40.7, the IMX 40 (from X-Yachts), and the Sinergia 40.

Properly fitted out, the new Dufour 40 racer/cruiser slots in nicely, and tweaked Tripp 41s can also fit the range. Close to 300 production boats, and numerous one-offs have been built within that rating band, and many of them do the Caribbean regattas. "However, they are sometimes classed with lighter planing boats," said Bob Phillips, chairman of the BVI Spring Regatta. "Typically, IMS 600 boats, custom or production, have full interiors, and less high-tech configurations. The goal of IMS 600 is to provide for racer/cruisers with full interiors to race against similarly-fitted out boats."
"We introduced our multi-course, multi-start format to enable flexibility and the addition of this class is another step towards giving our visiting yachtsmen the best possible racing experience in the BVI," Phillips concluded.

While the BVI Spring Regatta is sailed under the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) Rule, the implementation of an IMS 600 Class will take a cue from countless North American regattas, and provide results both ways.

Team Bitter End plans to lead the charge in this class by chartering a Beneteau 40.7 from U.K.-based 1st Sailing. Owners of yachts in the IMS 600 class are encouraged to contact organisers and post their interest on the Crew Quarters bulletin board on the official web site - www.bvispringregatta.org.

Billed as "two great events in one", the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival starts on Monday, March 31 with a welcome party at regatta hosts Nanny Cay Marina. Three days of destination cruising and racing throughout the BVI follow leading up to the main three-day regatta starting on Friday, April 4th.

CBBS & CORT
The BVI Spring Regatta will once again be joining with St Maarten's Heineken Regatta (March 7, 8, 9) and Antigua Sailing Week (April 27 - May 3) for the fourth Caribbean Big Boat Series (CBBS) for yachts 60-feet and over.

As well as the CBBS, the BVI Spring Regatta is the last leg of the Caribbean Ocean Racing Triangle (CORT) series - first stop is the St Croix International Regatta (February 15-17) and the second leg is the Puerto Rico International Regatta (March 14-16).

The BVI Spring Regatta is jointly owned by the Royal BVI Yacht Club and the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association. The 2003 BVI Spring Regatta is presented by Nanny Cay Marina and also sponsored by Heineken, Road Town Wholesale (1975) Ltd, Bitter End Yacht Club, the BVI Tourist Board, Cable & Wireless, Village Cay Marina, Tortola Yacht Services, Prospect Reef Resort and Island Marine Outfitters.