St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. More than 40 boats and hundreds of sailors from across the Caribbean, the United States and Europe will converge on St. Thomas April 3 to 5 for the 52nd St. Thomas International Regatta, organizers announced in a press release.
Now in its sixth decade, the territory’s flagship regatta will feature three days of racing alongside nightly shoreside events at the St. Thomas Yacht Club, blending competitive sailing with a social schedule of food, drinks and live music, according to the press release.
“Excitement is building for the week ahead as the fleet features our core spinnaker racing and non-spinnaker racing classes alongside elements unique to STIR, including the Caribbean’s largest IC24 class … Hobie Waves … and, this year, Sunfish sailors using the regatta as a tune-up for November’s Worlds in St. Croix,” said Pat Bailey, who co-directs STIR 2026 with Greer Scholes.
Racing will take place on professionally set courses with real-time online scoring for a global audience. The regatta includes CSA spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes along with one-design fleets such as IC24, Hobie Wave and Sunfish. Sailors may also compete under ORC, IRC and multihull handicaps across racing, cruising, bareboat and one-design divisions, the press release stated.
Entries remain open, with fees set at $340, reduced to $240 for IC24s, $150 for Hobie Waves and $75 for Sunfish. Organizers are also offering the Round the Rocks Race as a tune-up event, a course that circumnavigates St. John, the release stated.
The on-the-water lineup includes a range of returning and new competitors. Donald Nicholson’s J/121 Apollo enters after winning the CSA spinnaker class at the BVI Spring Regatta. Boats that competed in that event receive a 10% discount on STIR registration, the release stated.
The IC24 fleet, expected to include nearly a dozen boats, is the largest class in the regatta and will also host the 2026 IC24 Caribbean Championship. Among the entries is Stinger, helmed by St. Thomas sailor and Yale University All-American Teddy Nicolosi, the release stated.
International competitors are also scheduled to take part, including a team from Dublin, Ireland sailing aboard Black Pearl.
“We have heard great things about it and are really looking forward to coming over,” said Roger Smith. “We will do our best, have a bit of fun, and hopefully make a decent showing of ourselves along the way.”
Charter opportunities remain limited, with only a few IC24 boats still available. Charter rates are listed at $3,400 for St. Thomas Yacht Club members and $3,700 for non-members, according to organizers. Reserve through the St. Thomas Sailing Center by contacting Bobby Brooks at 340-690-3681 or info@stthomassailingcenter.com
The Hobie Wave class continues to draw younger sailors, with several boats already registered. St. Thomas sailor Mila Melbourne, who placed third last year, is expected to compete again.
“Regattas are my favorite, and the STIR Hobie class is a really fun one,” Melbourne said. “I enjoy the fun racing environment with my friends and the competition.”
Shoreline events begin Thursday with the Mount Gay Trade Winds Cocktail Party following the Round the Rocks Race, where sailors will be welcomed dockside. Awards for that race are scheduled for 5 p.m., followed by dinner and music.
Friday’s festivities feature the Dark ’n Stormy, with dinner and live music by Stephen Sloan. Saturday’s schedule includes Aperol Spritz-themed events and music by Roxnonstop. The regatta concludes Sunday with the Mount Gay Regatta Rum Punch, a 5 p.m. awards ceremony and live music by Tim West.
“At CC1 Virgin Islands, we recognize how important it is to support local initiatives and community causes, especially ones like STIR with such a historical footprint on our islands,” said Loretta Biss, commercial director at CC1.
Organizers said STIR 2026 is designated as a Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta, incorporating environmental initiatives.
Sponsors include the Virgin Islands Tourism Department, The Moorings, K3 Waterproof Gear, Ocean Surfari, Cardow Jewelers and beverage brands distributed by CC1 USVI.
For more information, contact Regatta Co-Director Pat Bailey at Cell/WhatsApp 340-690-6607, Email: simpleislandboy51@gmail.com, or visit www.
