Feb. 16, 2004 – Tortola's Kevin Rowlette and his crew on the Willy T collected the first-place trophy and the skipper's weight in Cruzan Rum on Monday at the conclusion of the weekend's 11th annual St. Croix International Regatta.
Race director Julie San Martin made the presentation and also awarded the Commodore's Trophy to St. Thomas's John Foster, skipper of Magnificent 7, and his crew on behalf of St. Croix Yacht Club Commodore Karen Stanton.
Twenty-six large boats competed in this year's regatta, which kicked off the Caribbean Ocean Racing Triangle series. Innovative Communication Co. was the event's primary sponsor.
Seventeen young people ages 8 to 15 representing St. Croix, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and New York competed in the St. Croix Yacht Club's new Valentine Optimist Regatta held in connection with the CORT event. On Sunday awards were presented to the top finishers in the two-day event.
Overall top place went to Jose Nigoglioni of Puerto Rico, with St. Croix's Jay Tonachel and Morgan Bryan in second and third spots, respectively.
In the beginners' Green Fleet, Nicki Barnes of St. Thomas finished first, followed by Copley Evans of St. Croix and Nathan Cousins of St. Croix. Evans and Cousins, both from Frederiksted, are involved in the Frederiksted Community Boating Program led by Susan Allick.
The St. Croix Yacht Club has scheduled next year's St. Croix International Regatta for Feb.18-21.
The top finishers in the race divisions this weekend were:
Spinnaker Racing
1. Willy T, Kevin Rowlette, Tortola
2. Magnificent 7, John Foster, St. Thomas
3. Sorceress, Paul Lordi, St. Croix
Racer Cruiser
1. Pipedream, Peter Haycraft, Tortola
2. Tempest, John Haracivet, St. Thomas
3. Annick II, Nick Castruccio, St. Croix
Cruising
1. Balaju 2, Jose Sanchez, Puerto Rico
2. Hotel California, Stephen Schmidt, St. Thomas
3. 4Play, Mark Duranthy, Newport Beach, Calif.
Beach Catamaran
1. Loco Too, Anton Gernica, Puerto Rico
2. Caribbean Automart, Tom Ainger, St. Croix
3. RUSH, Bruce Merced, St. Thomas
Large Multihull
1. Charis, Llewellyn Westerman, St. Croix
2. Piglet, Joe San Martin, St. Croix
Optimist Regatta winners
1. Jose Nigoglioni, Puerto Rico
2. Jay Tonachel, St. Croix
3. Morgan Bryan, St. Croix.
Optimist Green Fleet
1. Nicki Barnes, St. Thomas
2. Copley Evans, St. Croix
3. Nathan Cousins, St. Croix
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