I was saddened by Arthur J. Bonelli s tirade against Peter Holmberg and the America s Cup Challenge. Perhaps he should come home to the U.S. Virgin Islands and find out for himself what is really going on and what it is that makes so many of us strive to make our home a more complete and better place to live. He does have some good ideas that certainly we should make an effort to implement – but his negativism seriously detracted from his good thoughts and he is just plain wrong about Peter Holmberg and what he is trying to accomplish for the USVI in the long run.
Sure Peter wants to compete in and win the America s Cup Challenge with all of his being. It is the top prize – the ultimate plateau – in his chosen profession. He has struggled and worked hard all of his life to be the best at what he does and he has done remarkably well in his endeavors – much of which – as late – is accruing to the benefit of the USVI.
One of our major resources here in the USVI is a world class sailing venue. Peter and his old and new friends; associates; acquaintances; local sponsors, youth, private citizens, and even some of the public sector as well have joined to high-light this resource and make it real for all of us.
The V.I. America s Cup Challenge is many things – as varied and diverse as the many people who have gravitated to it – to give, to work, to volunteer for it :
* to one day win the America s Cup and bring it home to the US Virgin Islands. That will bring world renown, prestige, and a billion dollars or more to our economy.
* (In the meantime) – to focus on our God given resource of marvelous sun, wind and water – right here at hand for all to enjoy (and long neglected by so many of us).
* to allow each child of the Territory (who is physically able) to learn to swim.
* to teach and educate our people about our rich longstanding maritime history – going back 500 years – and get us to turn back to the Sea.
* to involve – particularly our youth – in basic boat handling, boat building, sailing.
* to sponsor events – like the Frenchman s Reef International Match Race atnd the Youth Regatta – to show our own people at home the fantastic resource we have and how to enjoy it – and to share it with the rest of the world through the incredible media outlets available to us in this day and age – thereby enticing people to come and enjoy it with us !
The list goes on and as more and more local people join in with us – it will grow in size and stature.
Peter Holmberg will spend the best part of this year with Team Dennis Conner – yes, following his dream – and working hard and learning every thing he can about a successful America s Cup Challenge (From The Master) to bring home to our shores. Stars and Stripes will be carrying our colors because Peter is on board and if they are successful in their challenge, much will
accrue to our benefit here at home. We will wish him well and will provide enormous moral support – not much else at this point for we have little to give and it's desperately needed here at home. But, what Peter and the V.I. Challenge have put in place will carry on and grow while he is away – that is what he and we want to happen.
When you read this, Mr. Bonelli, won't you please join us – the USVI can use only positive attitudes and actions from this point on.
Thank You,
Respectfully Submitted
Rik Van Rensselaer
