Rally Staff has officially opened the office in Nanny Cay, Tortola, and the 'Caribbean' portion of the event - the part that everyone looks forward to the most - has begun!
Wings, the Hylas 54 from Annapolis, MD, took line honors early this morning, closely edging perennially favorite Habits of Health, a Moody 54. The crew of four arrived excited early this morning, and enjoyed the first rum punch of 2012 on the dock.
"We had a great passage," said skipper Howard. "Only one bumpy night and smooth sailing the rest of the way!"
Miles and Anne Poor from Karina, echoed a similar sentiment when they arrived a few hours later, after the dawn.
"The second night out was a little hairy," said Miles this morning at Genneker's during breakfast, "but nothing too bad. It really just reminded us that we were ocean sailing!" he joked. "But the rest of the way down was just gorgeous, perfect sailing."
It's just after noon now in Nanny Cay, and already five boats have arrived into the marina, with Carib 1500 vets Rick and Julie Palm of Altair due to cross the finish line within the hour. Miles and Brendan, who manage the docks here in Nanny Cay, did a turnaround to get the marina ready in time for the event's arrival. Only yesterday the docks were full for the annual charter yacht show.
"We cleared them out pretty quick," said Miles this morning. "Brendan did a great job. You'd never have known it by the way it looks now."
Caribbean 1500 boats will be tied up together when possible, mostly on the A and B pontoons at Nanny Cay, and within spitting distance of Peg Leg's restaurant and the ever popular beach bar. Customs and Immigration will begin clearing in yachts especially for the rally, and the event program begins tomorrow with a cocktail hour on the beach.
New this year is island tours on offer from Sam at BVI Tours. The first is set for Wednesday, and crews will be able to get outside the marina and experience some of the local flavor of Tortola, with stops in Cane Garden Bay, a rum tasting, and free beverages during the duration. Crews can sign up for a special rate in the Rally Office, located upstairs next to the Nanny Cay Marina Office.
Stay tuned to facebook.com/carib1500 for photos, news and up-to-the-minute accounts of what's happening in Nanny Cay!
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