36th International Rolex Regatta 2009

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the 36th annual International Rolex Regatta. On behalf of the St. Thomas Yacht Club and our principal regatta sponsors, Rolex and A. H. Riise, we are honored to offer sailors from around the world three days of unparalleled competition and shore side fun.

The fourth weekend of March is now etched into every racer's calendar as the time when the "Crown Jewel" of Caribbean racing takes place--where sailors can enjoy our reliable breezes, warm azure waters and world-renowned Island hospitality. If you've joined us in the past, you know that the competition and the camaraderie are unsurpassed. If you are contemplating making the trip for the very first time, please know that we will do our utmost to make it a special regatta just for you.

The first International Rolex Regatta, in 1974, was the fulfillment of a vision of Lee Kelbert of Little Switzerland, Joel Byerly, Walter Fischer and Dick Avery. Lee had successfully raced Reve (ex-Caviar) in the Caribbean and felt that St. Thomas was the place to compete with top sailors in the world's finest racing conditions. However, first he had to prove himself against the racing sailors of the STYC, the Virgin Islands YC, and in the British Virgin Islands, which he did with the expert help of Dick Johnson and Walter Fischer (who eventually became CEO of Rolex Watch U.S.A. and now is Chairman of the Board.).

On trips to Geneva, Kelbert quietly teased the people at Rolex that their sailing sponsorships in Sardinia, Italy and other exotic venues were only the beginning. Rolex truly belonged in the Caribbean, he argued, particularly in St. Thomas where sailors would always be in sight of beautiful island vistas and enjoy a steady breeze. From those aspirations the International Rolex Regatta was born. Every year, skippers in each class have competed for coveted Rolex watches.