44Cup NANNY CAY 2024
44Cup Nanny Cay, 20 – 24 November, Nanny Cay, British Virgin Islands |
The 44Cup is coming to another highlight of the season finale in 2024 in the picturesque surroundings of Nanny Cay, one of the most famous sailing centres in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The small marina on Tortola, the largest island in the archipelago, has been a popular meeting place for sailors from all over the world for many years. Thanks to its sheltered location and excellent conditions, Nanny Cay attracts hundreds of boats every year to a wide range of sailing events, including the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival, which takes place every spring. The combination of constant trade winds and shallow waters makes the sea around the islands a perfect venue for regattas.
The British Virgin Islands have established themselves over the years as a world-class sailing destination, which is emphasised by the regular hosting of high-profile competitions. The Sir Francis Drake Channel, which runs between Tortola and the southern islands, is the preferred regatta area in the archipelago. Its sheltered location usually offers calm waters, while the easterly trade winds create ideal conditions.
For teams from colder regions such as Europe, November in Nanny Cay is a welcome end to the sailing year – temperatures around 25 to 30 degrees and the clear, turquoise sea make the Virgin Islands a true paradise for sailors.
For the RC44 class, Nanny Cay marks the final chord of a varied season. The return to the Caribbean is a special highlight for many teams – the last time the series took place in the BVI was in 2015. At that time, the event was hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda on Virgin Gorda – but this was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. In 2024, the starting line will be from Nanny Cay Marina, with the Royal BVI Yacht Club acting as host. The regatta in the Sir Francis Drake Channel promises high-class racing and close decisions, as the conditions are almost perfect for RC44 boats. In the history of the 44Cup, the Virgin Islands have always been something special: with ideal conditions, tactics will be crucial and the teams will have to perform to their full potential. This year will be particularly exciting because the teams are very close together in the ranking.
The Black Star Sailing Team is entering the season finale with big ambitions. After a season of ups and downs, a top-three ranking in the overall standings is still within reach. The team, led by skipper Christian Zuerrer, has prepared well and is determined to deliver a strong result in Nanny Cay. Thanks to the positive developments in the current season and the intensive work on board, the goal is clear: a place on the podium is within reach, and the crew will do everything in their power to achieve this goal.