St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Organizers of the St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR), set for March 27-29, 2020, are pleased to announce that The Moorings, the Clearwater, Florida-headquartered world’s premier yacht charter company, will once again sponsor the use of one of its custom-designed catamarans as a committee boat. This means the familiar blue- and red-, wave-like, M-shaped logo of The Moorings will once again be a familiar sight to sailors as they start and finish each race.

“Having the Moorings involved with STIR for over a decade is a tremendous advantage to our event,” says Bill Canfield, who co-directs the 2020 regatta with Pat Bailey. “Not only are we supplied with an excellent committee boat, but the vessel also serves as a on the water hotel for our PRO’s (Principal Race Officers). The cost saving is tremendous and as a committee boat platform it just can’t be beat. We could not run STIR without wonderful support like this from the Moorings.”

The Moorings 514PC (power cat) was designed to provide a stable platform on the water, and to maximize the Caribbean charter experience. Spacious, stable, and fuel efficient, the Moorings 514PC has set the standard for power cat design since it first launched and has become a staple in The Moorings fleet at its destinations worldwide. It’s the ideal platform from which to run a regatta as efficiently as possible.

“The Moorings was founded in the Virgin Islands over 50 years ago, so the region is certainly near and dear to our hearts, and we feel strongly about supporting the events that continue to draw visitors to this sailing mecca time and time again,” says Ian Bockman-Pedersen, senior marketing manager at The Moorings and Sunsail. “It is our honor and pleasure to continue to be an integral part in the boating community throughout the Virgin Islands and to participate in longstanding traditions such as the STIR.”

STIR, celebrating its 47th year, is a globally-recognized regatta renowned for its fantastic racing, first-class race committee and friendly can-do attitude towards its competitors.

New Class for 2020

There’s something for everyone at STIR 2020. This year, organizers are adding a PHRF-rated class with racing on March 28 and 29.

“We are excited about giving local working sailors a chance to compete in an international event in their home waters via a less competitive and friendly class,” says Canfield.

Beyond this, STIR offers CSA (Caribbean Sailing Association-handicap) Racing and Cruising; IRC; ORC; Multihull; Beach Cat and One Design classes with a minimum length of 20-feet. There’s also a one-design Hobie Wave class.

Bring your own boat or charter! Several companies offer charters: stthomasinternationalregatta.com/regatta/charter-companies/ Or, crew, find crew or a charter for STIR through Tendrr: tendrr.co/events/stir Or, charter an IC24 from the St. Thomas Sailing Center stthomassailingcenter.com

Register now: yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=9666 Pay only US $150, or 50% off the regular entry fee until January 31, 2020.

Register too for the Round the Rocks Race, on March 26: yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=9665.

Getting Here & Staying is Easy! These airlines fly direct from major U.S. cities: American (Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York, Philadelphia), Delta (Atlanta, New York), JetBlue (Boston, San Juan), Spirit (Fort Lauderdale, Orlando) and United (Chicago, Houston, Newark, Washington Dulles). Airlines connecting St. Thomas to the Caribbean include Air Sunshine, Cape Air, LIAT and Seaborne Airlines. Accommodations include hotels, B&B’s, resorts, villas, condos, VRBO rentals and Airbnb’s. Visit: www.visitusvi.com and usvihta.com

‘We Love It Here!, You Will Too!’ www.stthomasinternationalregatta.com, Email: stycisv@gmail.com, Call (340) 775-6320.

Carol Bareuther

Media/2020 St. Thomas International Regatta

Cell: 340-998-3650

Email: bareuther@earthlink.net

Skype: Carol.Bareuther

© Caribbean Sailing Association 2018