The 27th Annual International Rolex Regatta began in light air. This did not stop pre race favorites from topping the leader board after the first day, however.
The winds never topped 10 knots for the day, but the early consistency of the breeze allowed the race to start without postponement.
Due to protests not all results were available on Good Friday afternoon. Preliminary results place defending Rolex winner Chris Rosenberg steering Frenchman's Reef at the head of the fleet, followed closely by Crash Test Dummies of Trinidad, and Who's Yo Daddy of the USA. Rosenberg had to finish seven minutes ahead of the next boat in his class to lead Crash Test Dummies by a minute, who only nipped Who's Yo Daddy by 20 seconds.
This shows that a large boat is not required to win the Rolex as the top three boats are 24, 35 and 45 feet long.
In other notable finishes, Twisted Lizard (USA) and Magnificent 7 (USVI) topped class D, three visitors from Puerto Rico, Urayo, Orion, and Heineken led the J-24 class.
Pipedream and Cold Beer of the BVI led Cruiser-Racer class J, and the top three beach cats were all USVI sailors with John Holmberg ahead of Kevin Raymond and Terry Jackson.
Racing will continue Saturday and Sunday with both the Rolex Cup and Caribbean Ocean Racing Triangle awards up for grabs. The wind is expected to return to a more typical 10 to 15 knots.
