Caribbean luxury sailing holiday with the stars at the Bitter End Yacht Club’s Pro Am Regatta 2010

Imagine being in the Caribbean, sailing on azure blue sea, at a luxurious and beautiful beach holiday – and then propping up the bar with some of the world’s top sailors, and sorting out which of them you’ll be sailing with the next day.

No, it’s not a dream, but it is the format of the Bitter End Yacht Club’s Pro Am Regatta.  Taking place from 30 October – 6 November, in the British Virgin islands, this unique sailing event brings together America’s Cup skippers, Olympic medalists, Around the World race winners and world champions, to head up teams of guest sailors in an action-packed week of race, social events and parties. And all held in the stunningly beautiful Bitter End Yacht Club resort, providing luxurious accommodation, restaurants, beaches, pools and watersports activities for all the family.

The Pro Am has been running for over 23 years, in a format that would be almost impossible to replicate anywhere other than in the Caribbean. Bringing together the world’s top sailors and yachting heroes, including this year America’s Cup legends Russell Coutts, Dean Barker, Peter Holmberg and Ken Read; Volvo Ocean Race skipper Paul Cayard and Olympic medalists Zach Riley and Anna Tunnicliffe; the event puts them all on a level footing with the ‘Pros’ racing against each other crewed by the guests at the resort, the ‘Ams’. While anywhere else this might seem intimidating, the laid-back holiday atmosphere at the Bitter End ensures the Pros are totally relaxed, while still, of course, maintaining that rivalry to be on the winner’s podium at the end of the week.

The format for the Pro Am involves a series of round the cans fleet races, plus a semi finals and finals featuring match racing in IC24s. There’s also some lively and fun racing in Lasers and Hobies, and a short handicap race.  With a variety of inshore and offshore races, changes of crews and helms, the ‘Ams’ learn valuable tips on how to get the best starts, outwit your opponents in team racing, and pick the best course and wind shifts from the world’s top sailors.

And after the racing, there’s plenty to do in the evenings, with the famous sunset harbour cruise, cocktail party, Mount Gay poolside party, dinners and awards ceremonies to enjoy. The week is planned so there’s time to enjoy the resort’s three secluded beaches, fresh water pool, and spa; as well as scuba diving, windsurfing, snorkeling and enjoying excursions with the Pros, their families and friends to some of the British Virgin Islands’ famous attractions.  Accommodation includes double or twin rooms, each luxuriously fitted out, with private sea-facing verandas and hammocks.

Pro Am Regatta regular Gibby Rechleff, a keen Yngling sailor says, “Where else can I sail with and against sailors of this caliber?  But more importantly, I enjoy spending time picking their brains after the racing is done.  And I like to bring my crew along to see how the pros do it.”

Regatta organiser John Glynn agrees, “The Pro Am is a unique event that brings the world’s top sailors together, sailing alongside experienced sailors or helping introduce newcomers to the sport.  Many Pro Am participants come every year, and have forged on-going relationships with the Pros and their families.  It’s been likened to a fantasy camp for sailors – and for those learning or new to sailing, just imagine being taught to play tennis by Venus Williams.”

Full details of the week’s activities and details of how to book can be found at the Bitter End Yacht Club website at www.beyc.com and www.proamregatta.com.