ST. THOMAS, USVI — Spring in the US Virgin Islands is usually marked by two things—a gradual diminishing of the tourist season and the annual Rolex Cup Regatta. This year one of the Caribbean's most popular competitions moves into its 27th edition as competition gets under way on Friday and runs through the Easter weekend.
Organizers at the host St. Thomas Yacht Club on Cowpet Bay are expecting a fleet of nearly 100 vessels, with at least two Santa Cruz 70s in attendance—Donnybrook and Equation. Competition is expected to be particularly fierce given that the Rolex Cup marks the final event of the Caribbean Ocean Racing Triangle series, which began last month with Puerto Rico's Heineken Cup and continued two weeks ago with the British Virgin Islands' Spring Regatta.
St. Thomian Chris Rosenberg and the crew of his Melges 24 Marriott Frenchman's Reef now lead the series with 42 points. They'll be challenged by Stuart Palmer's Nelson/Marek 45 Who's Yo Daddy in second with 69 points, and Jamie Dobbs' Olson 30 Lost Horizon in third with 87 points.