May 31, 2006 — Challenging conditions made racing interesting for nearly 40 sailors competing in this year's Cruzan Open One Design Regatta, held May 26-27 at the St. Croix Yacht Club. Southeast winds of 5 to 15 knots put a premium on consistent sailing, as puffs and shifts rearranged fleet positions regularly. By the regatta's end, 16 races had been completed in four classes, in what is becoming one of the Caribbean's more popular small boat events.
Although the competition was tight, the friendships and camaraderie were evident throughout. The racers ranged in age from 8 to 58, and the fun of interacting with friends from other islands was as important as the racing. Many of the juniors racing in the Opti and Laser radial classes had parents racing in the 420s, making this a true family regatta.
A Pirate's Party at the yacht club on Saturday night gave everyone time to socialize and dance, with music by St. Croix's popular Pirates (formerly Outlaws) in Paradise.
The Optimist class was the largest and youngest class in the regatta, with 16 boats registered. The racers this weekend were anything but beginners, however. The competition was fierce, with six different sailors taking wins in this highly competitive class.
In the end, Ian Barrows of St. Thomas was the victor overall and in the Blue class. In the Optimist Red class, and hot on Ian's heels for the overall honor, was Billy Gibbons, of St. Croix. In the Optimist White class, Mack Bryan of St. Croix was the winner.
The Laser class featured radials only, as the two full rig sailors traded in their big sails for the fun of racing a bigger fleet, numbering nine boats. Again, there were many different race winners, but at the end, Jae Tonachel of St. Croix was the most consistent in the shifty winds, beating Chris Schreiber (second) and Beecher Higby (third).
In the 420 class, the parents had a chance to race, instead of just watching their kids. Six boats raced in this class, and with one exception, each was crewed by at least one parent of a child racing in another class. In the end, the team of Sydney Jones and Dasha Finke won, with Nick and Joyce Bailey second, and Debbie Schreiber/Jeanne Sylvester placing third.
Six boats came out for the Sunfish class. More parents participated here, and at the end of racing, Doug DeReu had edged out Alan Mallory, with Shane Ryan-Bataller third.
Final results in each category were:
420s CLASS:
1st place: Sydney Jones/Dasha Finke
2nd place: Nick & Joyce Bailey
3rd place: Deborah Schreiber/Jeanne Sylvester
RADIAL CLASS:
1st place: Jae Tonachel
2nd place: Chris Schreiber Sr.
3rd place: Beecher Higby
SUNFISH CLASS:
1st place: Doug DeReu
2nd place: Alan Mallory
3rd place: Shane Ryan-Bataller
OPTIMISTS CLASS (ALL BOATS):
1st place: Ian Barrows
2nd place: Billy Gibbons
3rd place: Alexander Coyle
OPTIMISTS (RED):
1st place: Billy Gibbons
2nd place: Alexander Coyle
3rd place: William Bailey
OPTIMISTS (WHITE):
1st place: Mack Bryan
2nd place: Addison Hackstaff
3rd place: Harry Hoffman
OPTIMISTS (BLUE):
1st place: Ian Barrows
2nd place: Challis Diaz
3rd place: Aspen Moore