The first International Yacht Club Challenge (IYCC) will be part of the 2010 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, from 29 March to 4 April, pitting competitors from yacht clubs throughout the world against each other in Sunsail Beneteau 39s. Sunsail Yacht Charters is providing up to a 10% discount for all those booking for the IYCC, a free charter to the winning team, and a perpetual trophy. Although this is the inaugural year for the IYCC, it will be the 39th for the BVI Spring Regatta. Nannyt Cay Marina and Resort will be the host.

Simon Wood, Commodore of the Royal British Virgin Islands Yacht Club, is inviting other yacht clubs from around the world to send teams to compete. An invitation will go out in September to all the yacht clubs in the UK with the help of the BVI Tourist Board. The German BVI Tourist Board is planning to translate the 2010 BVI Spring Regatta brochure to German and then promote the IYCC throughout the yacht clubs there and a similar programme is being planned for the US.

Josie Tucci, the Sunsail Brand Manager expects a lot of interest. ‘The IYCC is a perfect opportunity because it opens up racing to a lot of people who don’t have their own boats in the BVI. Our Beneteau 39, the boat of choice to race, has performed well in past regattas. The event will also promote good camaraderie among the yacht clubs throughout the world as they will be competing in like boats in gorgeous Caribbean conditions.’

For full details on the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, visit BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival.

(resource: Cowes.co.uk)