St. Thomas International Regatta 2026 Set for April 2–5 with IC24 Championship and Caribbean Trade Wind Racing
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands — With one month to go, the St. Thomas International Regatta 2026 (STIR) is preparing to deliver the world-class racing sailors expect from this long-running Caribbean event. Scheduled for April 2–5, 2026, the 52nd edition will once again combine competitive offshore racing with the relaxed beachside atmosphere of the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC).
Like other premier Caribbean regattas, STIR 2026 will feature racing under IRC (International Rating Certificate), CSA (Caribbean Sailing Association), ORC (Offshore Racing Congress), and Multihull handicap classes, alongside strong One-Design competition.
Courses will include a mix of round-the-island and round-the-buoy formats, taking advantage of the varied sailing conditions and geography around St. Thomas.
Several elements make STIR 2026 particularly unique, including:
- The Caribbean’s largest IC24 fleet
- Sunfish racing ahead of the 2026 World Championship
- An inclusive Hobie Wave class open to sailors of all ages
Adding to the excitement, longtime partner The Moorings returns as sponsor of the race committee boat.
IRC Racing Returns to St. Thomas
The St. Thomas International Regatta has hosted IRC racing yachts many times over the years, and organizers expect strong participation again this season.
“We have IRC boats that have raced in St. Thomas in the past who have said they will be back in 2027,” says Anthony Kotoun, a St. Thomas–raised professional sailor based in Newport, Rhode Island.
“The appeal is that it’s fun to do something different from the windward-leeward racing that happens much of the year. The island geography of the Caribbean, especially around St. Thomas, creates a wide variety of course options.”
For many teams, STIR offers a refreshing mix of coastal and tactical racing in steady Caribbean trade winds.
IC24 Caribbean Championship Returns
A highlight of STIR 2026 will be the second annual IC24 Caribbean Championship, held as a class event within the regatta.
Nearly two dozen IC24 teams from the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the mainland United States are expected to compete.
“Our crew, consisting of Andrew Kotchen, Rob Diemar, Bill Liddle, and David Franzel, is thrilled to be coming to St. Thomas,” says Bill Liddle, whose team is chartering an IC24 from the St. Thomas Sailing Center (STSC).
“We hail from the chilly Northeast, from Nantucket to New York. While Dave has a diverse sailing background, the rest of us sail Alerions, a classic wooden one-design class better suited to picnics than racing.”
“Our goal is to enjoy the consistent winds, well-managed courses, and friendly competition while learning from other sailors.”
Sunfish Sailors Prepare for the 2026 World Championship
The Sunfish class will also be featured at STIR 2026, building momentum ahead of the Sunfish World Championship, which will be hosted by the St. Croix Yacht Club from November 7–14, 2026.
The St. Thomas Yacht Club hosted the first Sunfish Worlds in 1970, making the return of the championship to the Virgin Islands particularly meaningful.
“Sailing in STIR is valuable because it offers competitive racing in Caribbean trade wind conditions very similar to St. Croix,” says Peter Stanton, current ISCA Master’s World Champion and 1999 Sunfish Youth World Champion.
“It’s a great opportunity for sailors to sharpen their boat speed, starts, and race strategy in the same kind of conditions they’ll see at the Worlds.”
Confirmed Sunfish competitors from St. Croix include:
- Peter Stanton
- Beacher Higby
- Scott Stanton
- Dr. Joyce Campbell
- Steven Rogers
- Parker Nagle
- Meg Deegan
Hobie Wave Fleet Encourages Youth Participation
The St. Thomas Sailing Center’s Hobie Wave fleet will race as a One-Design class during the regatta.
“Youth sailors will get the boat charter fee donated for the Hobie,” says Bobby Brooks, executive director of the St. Thomas Sailing Center. “They will only need to pay the regatta registration fee.”
A limited number of IC24s and Hobie Waves are available for charter through the sailing center.
The Moorings Supports STIR 2026
Longtime regatta partner The Moorings will once again sponsor the race committee platform, providing one of its Moorings 464PC power catamarans.
The 46-foot power cat includes four en-suite cabins and accommodates up to eight guests.
“Our power catamarans have been identified by race committees worldwide as ideal platforms for managing regattas,” says Ian Pedersen, senior marketing manager for The Moorings and Sunsail.
“The elevated flybridge offers excellent visibility, and the boat’s speed allows race committees to reposition quickly when needed.”
How to Enter St. Thomas International Regatta 2026
Sailors can enter STIR 2026 online at yachtscoring.com/emenu/50483.
Classes include:
- CSA Racing
- IRC
- ORC
- Multihull
- CSA Bareboat
- One-Design classes including IC24, Diam 24, Hobie Wave, and Sunfish
Entry fees:
- $340 standard entry
- $240 IC24
- $150 Sunfish and Hobie Wave
Yachts competing in the BVI Spring Regatta (March 23–29, 2026) are eligible for a 10% entry discount.
Round the Rocks Race Returns
The Round the Rocks Race (RTR) will take place April 2, 2026, circumnavigating nearby St. John.
Classes include:
- IRC
- CSA
- Multihull
- One Design
Entry fee: $50 per boat.
Registration is available at yachtscoring.com/emenu/50495.
Travel to St. Thomas for STIR 2026
St. Thomas offers excellent flight connectivity from the United States.
Airlines serving Cyril E. King Airport (STT) include:
- American Airlines
- Delta
- JetBlue
- United
- Spirit
- Frontier
New service launching in 2026:
- Southwest Airlines nonstop from Orlando beginning February 5
- Southwest Airlines from Baltimore/Washington beginning February 7
Regional airlines connecting neighboring islands include:
- Cape Air
- Air Sunshine
- Fly the Whale
- SKYhigh Dominicana
- Seaborne Airlines
Visitors will find a wide range of accommodations on St. Thomas, including resorts, hotels, villas, and more than 3,000 Airbnb listings.
Sponsors Supporting STIR 2026
Organizers thank the following sponsors for their support:
- U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
- The Moorings
- K3
- Ocean Surfari
- Cardow Jewelers
Beverage sponsors include:
- Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- Gosling’s Rum
- Mount Gay Rum
- Michelob Ultra
- Teremana Tequila
- Surfside Iced Teas & Vodka
The regatta will again be recognized as a Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta, featuring environmental initiatives such as paperless event management and water-refill stations.
Learn More
For additional information about the St. Thomas International Regatta 2026, contact:
Pat Bailey
Regatta Co-Director
WhatsApp / Cell: 340-690-6607
Email: simpleislandboy51@gmail.com
Website:
stthomasinternationalregatta.com
Social media:
Facebook – St. Thomas International Regatta
Instagram – @STIRVI
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