The 2017 Carlos Aguilar Match Race Cancelled for 2017 due to Hurricanes, Organizers Look Forward to 2018
Organizers of the Carlos Aguilar Match Race (CAMR) regretfully announce the cancellation of the November 30-December 3, 2017 event. The CAMR, presented by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, is known for bringing some of the best international match racing talent, from America’s Cup veterans to Olympians, to sail in the scenic yet challenging Charlotte Amalie Harbor. However, damage to the island from back-to-back major hurricanes less than a month ago has put a definitive damper on hosting a Grade 1 event in less than two months.
“We are very sad to have to cancel this year’s CAMR,” says regatta director, Verian Aguilar Tuttle. “However, many if not most, of the strong and talented team of volunteers who organize and run this event and host the teams in their homes are still in the recovery and rebuilding phase. Repairs are also underway to our fleet of IC24s, the St. Thomas Yacht Club clubhouse as well as the Virgin Islands’ utilities and infrastructure. We will definitely miss seeing and welcoming the sailors and race officers, many of whom have become great friends over the years. However, we do want to maintain the high standards of the CAMR and for this we’ll look forward to 2018.”
Like last year, the 2017 CAMR was set to host the Women’s International Match Racing Series (WIM Series) Finale.
“The women match racers and the WIM Series management are of course very disappointed that we will not be able to end our season in the Virgin Islands. But we also realize that an event in December would be too much of a burden on the volunteers and infrastructure in St. Thomas and this is not something we want anyone to have to worry about on top of the real-life challenges they are facing as they try to return to a ‘normal’ life post Hurricanes’ Irma and Maria. We look forward to the opportunity to return to St Thomas in the future and experience the wonderful hospitality and great racing that the CAMR has given us in the past. In the meantime, the WIM Series management is looking into the possibility of finding a replacement event to fill the void made by canceling the 2017 CAMR,” says Liz Baylis, WIM Series manager.
Those who would like to help in the Virgin Islands’ recovery efforts can donate to the non-profit VI Marine Build Fund. All funds will be used for the cleanup of the current cruising grounds, growth of marine industry offerings and development of marine vocational programs.
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The Women’s International Match Racing Series (WIM Series) is the first and only professional sailing series for women, hosted by the Women’s International Match Racing Association and joined by the world’s leading women match racing sailors. Match racing is sailed in two identical boats around a short course, providing fast action close to the crowds on shore. The intense racing is just as exciting for the spectators as it is strategically, tactically and physically challenging for the competing crews.
2017 WIM Series (date, event name, location, boat type):
- 16-21 June – 2017 Women’s Match Racing World Championship – Helsinki, Finland – J/80
- 7-12 August – 2017 Lysekil Women’s Match – Lysekil, Sweden – Fareast 28
- 13-18 November – 2017 Busan Cup Women’s International Match Race – Busan, South Korea – K30
- 30 November – 3 December – 2017 Carlos Aguilar Match Race – St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – IC 24 – Cancelled
The WIM Series is hosted by WIMRA. Official suppliers are Sailnet, Sebago, MILK, Adstream, Intertidal Ventures, Fredag and Match Racing Results Service.
Images: A number of hi-res images are available for download on www.wimseries.com/media/
Video: All videos are available on www.wimseries.com/videos/
More information about the Women’s International Match Racing Series:
WIM Series Manager Liz Baylis, , +1 415 691 6202
www.wimseries.com
www.facebook.com/WIMSeries
www.twitter.com/WIMSeries
www.youtube.com/WIMRSeries
www.instagram.com/WIMSeries
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The Virgin Islands Sailing Association (VISA) and St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC) are the organizing authorities for the CAMR, namesake for the late Carlos Aguilar, who was an avid sailor and loved match racing. The CAMR traditionally features highly ranked men’s and women’s match racing teams. Past winners of the Open Division in the CAMR reads like a Who’s Who of sailing: the USVI’s Taylor Canfield (2008, 2015), USVI’s Peter Holmberg (2009), Portugal’s Alvaro Marinho/Seth Sailing Team (2010), USA’s Sally Barkow (2011), Finland’s Staffan Lindberg (2012) and the USA’s Don Wilson (2013). Women’s Division winners are just as renowned: the USA’s Genny Tulloch triumphed in 2008 and 2010 and France’s Claire Leroy in 2009. Last year Renée Groeneveld and her Dutch Match Racing Team won the 2016 CAMR. The CAMR is known internationally for introducing young sailors to the sport, working cooperatively with the V.I. government and V.I. Department of Tourism in its efforts to get more of the island’s youth out on the water.
More information about the Carlos Aguilar Match Race:
CAMR Co-Director Bill Canfield, +1 340 626 0239
CAMR Co-Director Verian Aguilar Tuttle,
CAMR Press Officer Carol Bareuther, +1 340 774 2736 or +1 340 998 3650
www.carlosmatchrace.com
www.facebook.com/CarlosAguilarMatchRace
www.instagram.com/CarlosAguilarMatchRace
