A beautiful morning greeted the 11 competitors and delivered champagne sailing throughout the anti-clockwise around Tortola course.

First away at 09:35 were the Monohulls and cruising catamaran, followed by the three trimarans at 09:50. But all eyes were on Mike Hirst and Chris Brockbank with their foiling kites as they put down a challenge to establish a new kiteboarding record for the event. Sure enough, just over 2 hours later the pair came streaking back up the channel having maintained speeds in the upper teens throughout. Hirst took the line honours win after just 2 hours, 14 minutes and 54 seconds and, hot on his heels, Brockbank finished with a time of 2 hours 28 minutes and 53 seconds.

The five monohulls made for an interesting fleet, ranging from David Lake’s 30ft Hunter, Wicked Winch up to the majestic Swan 77, La Forza. Sadly Wicked Winch were forced to retire at Beef Island due to rigging problems . From the finish position at Nanny Cay, La Forza was the first to appear, dwarfing all other boats in the channel.

Sneaking up behind them though were the three multihulls, comfortably clocking upwind speeds around the 10 knot mark, with Mark Sander’s Island Hops leading the way. Finishing with an elapsed time of 4 hours 5 minutes and 25 seconds. Eddie Brockbank’s Lucky 7 was next, followed by Barney Crook’s Airgasm with just under 10 minutes separating the three of them.

La Forza crossed the line a few minutes after Airgasm for the monohull class line honours but had not done enough to hold their position on corrected time. Next up was Henry Leonnig and the Melges 24 Firewater which also gave them the class win ahead of Kevin Rowlette’s Sweet Revenge and Miles Sutherland Pilch aboard his newly restored Beneteau 44.7 Odyssey.

A big thank you to our sponsor Nanny Cay for supporting this event for another year, to Dick Schoonover for running the race committee team, all those who came out to watch the start and all the competitors who took part.

During the prize giving a special presentation was made to Miles Sutherland-Pilch and Nanny Cay in recognition of their long standing and generous commitment to the Royal BVI Yacht Club Youth Sailing Programme. For many years now Nanny Cay has been the primary sponsor of the programme, providing ground space for our classes, dockspace for chase boats, sponsorship of events, donations from fuel sales and support in ways too numerous to mention. On behalf of all of the board, our members and particularly all of the young sailors in the BVI, Thank You Nanny Cay.

Nanny Cay Challenge
With a top speed of 27 knots and averaging 20 knots, Mike Hirst has set a new Nanny Cay Challenge Record, covering 49 miles in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 54 seconds. Mike took 23 minutes and 40 seconds off Triple Jack’s record set in 2015. Chris Brockbank also broke the record.

The Nanny Cay Challenge was launched in 2010, it can be attempted any-time, any-day but must start and finish off Nanny Cay, circumnavigate in an anti-clockwise direction and leave Beef Island, Scrub Island, Great Camanoe and Guana Island to port.

Challengers must pay an entry fee of $250 which is donated to a BVI charity of the challenger’s choice. Mike donated his to the Family Support Network. To date the NCC has raised $2000 for local charities.

Nanny Cay Round Tortola Results by Class (Overall)
Kite
1. Mike Hirst
2. Chris Brockbank

Monohulls
1. Firewater – Henry Leonnig (4th)
2. Sweet Revenge – Kevin Rowlette (5th)
3. Odyssey – Miles Sutherland Pilch / Keith Li Greci (6th)
4. La Forza – Svante Littmarck (8th)

Cruising Multihull
1. Wildfire – John Hayes (7th)

Racing Multihull
1. Lucky 7 – Eddie Brockbank (1st)
2. Airgasm – Barney Crook (2nd)
3. Island Hops – Mark Sanders (3rd)

Current Records for the Nanny Cay Challenge
Monohull
Spookie (TP52) Steve & Heidi Benjamin – 3 hours 8 minutes & 43 seconds
29 March 2016

Multihll
Triple Jack, Kelsall One-Off – 2 hours 33 minutes & 40 seconds
30 April 2015

*New* Kiteboard
Mike Hirst – 2 hours 14 minutes & 54 seconds
13 January 2019

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© Caribbean Sailing Association 2018