This was in The Source a few days ago. When you read The Source, make sure you also are in St John, staying at a st john villa rental. You can find a lot of them at www.stjohnvillarental.com.
Fifth Annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim Gearing Up to 'Go'
by Lynda Lohr
April 28, 2008 - On your mark, get set, go for the fifth annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim set to run May 25 starting at Maho Bay Beach. Swimmers are in the water at 8 a.m. A briefing starts at 7:30 a.m.
"It's a fun event and it's in the park," Friends of V.I. National Park Development Director Karen Brady said.
The Friends group holds the swim to raise money for its programs, including its summer learn-to-swim program.
Two practice swims will help swimmers get ready for the main event. The May 4 swim goes from Maho Bay Beach to Trunk Bay Beach. The May 18 swim starts at Maho Bay Beach and ends at Hawksnest Bay Beach. Both start at 8 a.m. There is no charge to participate in the practice swims.
The May 25 Beach-to-Beach Power Swim includes four simultaneous events. They are the one-mile short course solo swim from Maho Bay Beach to Cinnamon Beach, the 2.25-mile intermediate course solo swim from Maho Bay Beach to Trunk Beach, a 3.5-mile long course solo swim from Maho Bay Beach to Hawksnest Beach, and a 3.5-mile long course three-person relay team swim from Maho Bay Beach to Hawksnest Beach with transition points at Cinnamon Bay and Trunk Bay beaches.
The Beach-to-Beach Power Swim features the park's "incredible waters and beaches, two very special attributes of the park,” said Joe Kessler, Friends of the Park president and the race director.
"This event has become part of the list of challenging sporting events in the Virgin Islands," he said.
Awards will be given in age groups, with an awards ceremony at Oppenheimer Beach at noon. A barbecue at Oppenheimer Beach runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Beach-to-Beach Power Swim is for both competitive swimmers and "relatively serious" recreational swimmers. To make it as accessible and fun for as many participants as possible, swimmers may compete using snorkels, fins and exposure suits in a separate assisted-swimmer category.
Advance registration through May 9 costs $30. General registration on May 10 through 23 is $40. Late registration, available only at the pre-race meeting at 5 p.m. May 24 at Maho Bay Camps is $50.
Registration fees for those 17 and under are $15 through May 23 and $25 on May 24.
Swimmers can register either on-line at www.friendsvinp.org/swim, by phone at 779-4940 or in person at: the Friends of the Park Store in Mongoose Junction, Connections in either Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, or at Caribbean Surf Co. at Red Hook and Havensight locations on St. Thomas, or at SCUBA on St. Croix.
For more information about the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim, including the course description, course maps, and competition rules and to register visit www.friendsvinp.org/swim or call 779-4940.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
As always
As always, this last blog is barren. Nothing to write about, except I will probably make the long trek to town and get breakfast and mail and fruit for the big m. And a newspaper and the tradewinds. And that's it. Today might be a good day to make a cutting board. I think I will do it. Some website work, but not a lot.
Monday, April 28, 2008
List of websites for you to visit today.
Try these websites about st john. www.stjohnvillarental.com is the best one to find all the villas for rent. And then you can also look at www.frankbayvillas.com, which is the second best. For villa vacation rentals, look at www.stjohntravelforum.com, but that also has the best information about things on st john, so it is dual purpose.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Patriots Fourth Pick
The Patriots picked Kevin O'Connell from SD State with their fourth pick, last pick of the third round. Seems like an expensive backup, since they have Tom Brady at #1 for a few more years. But what do I know. I preferred Colt Brennan.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Wagapalooza Article from The Source
This was in the Source today. Everyone should read it, and then rent a villa on st john usvi from www.stjohnvillarental.com.
Wagapalooza on Tap for May 17
by Lynda Lohr
April 30, 2008 -- Dogs, dogs and more dogs are busy learning new tricks for the 8th annual Wagapalooza, set for 5 to 9 p.m. May 17 at the Winston Wells Ballfield in Cruz Bay.
"It's going to be a hoot," said Animal Care Center President B.J. Harris . "The most fun ever."
Wagapalooza raises money for the Animal Care Center of St. John, which operates the island's only shelter and runs numerous programs to benefit various types of animals.
The dog show is Wagapalooza's highlight, with dogs judged in categories that include best trick, best lap dog, best dancer, best spots, best old timer, best puppy love, best costume, best jumper and best tail wagger.
This year the Animal Care Center will have a Waga-Meter to measure the level of applause by the audience. And then everyone should look at www.frankbayvillas.com to pick out a vacation villa rental.
"Rather than judges, the winners will be by acclamation," Harris said.
The audience will also get to pick the best in show, which the organizers are this year calling the Waga Queen and King.
Wagapalooza also features live music, a raffle, free dog nail clipping and a K-9 demonstration by the V.I. Police Department. Food will be for sale, Harris said, and the Animal Care Center is aiming for healthy fare such as wraps in addition to hamburgers and hot dogs. Roger W. Morgan of Paradise Radio 93.5 will return for a second year as Wagapalooza's master of ceremonies.
Dog owners are encouraged to register early for the event. Registration is $20 per category, and forms are available at the Animal Care Center shelter, located near the Elaine I. Sprauve Library, Connections and online at wagapalooza.com.
Volunteers are needed. Businesses can help by buying space on Wagapalooza T-shirts or providing raffle prizes. To help in any way, call 774-1625 or stop by the animal shelter Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wagapalooza on Tap for May 17
by Lynda Lohr
April 30, 2008 -- Dogs, dogs and more dogs are busy learning new tricks for the 8th annual Wagapalooza, set for 5 to 9 p.m. May 17 at the Winston Wells Ballfield in Cruz Bay.
"It's going to be a hoot," said Animal Care Center President B.J. Harris . "The most fun ever."
Wagapalooza raises money for the Animal Care Center of St. John, which operates the island's only shelter and runs numerous programs to benefit various types of animals.
The dog show is Wagapalooza's highlight, with dogs judged in categories that include best trick, best lap dog, best dancer, best spots, best old timer, best puppy love, best costume, best jumper and best tail wagger.
This year the Animal Care Center will have a Waga-Meter to measure the level of applause by the audience. And then everyone should look at www.frankbayvillas.com to pick out a vacation villa rental.
"Rather than judges, the winners will be by acclamation," Harris said.
The audience will also get to pick the best in show, which the organizers are this year calling the Waga Queen and King.
Wagapalooza also features live music, a raffle, free dog nail clipping and a K-9 demonstration by the V.I. Police Department. Food will be for sale, Harris said, and the Animal Care Center is aiming for healthy fare such as wraps in addition to hamburgers and hot dogs. Roger W. Morgan of Paradise Radio 93.5 will return for a second year as Wagapalooza's master of ceremonies.
Dog owners are encouraged to register early for the event. Registration is $20 per category, and forms are available at the Animal Care Center shelter, located near the Elaine I. Sprauve Library, Connections and online at wagapalooza.com.
Volunteers are needed. Businesses can help by buying space on Wagapalooza T-shirts or providing raffle prizes. To help in any way, call 774-1625 or stop by the animal shelter Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Last post of the day
When I get to this blog, about nuclear physics, I am often out of normal scientific analysis, so I have to write about particle theory. But it often is unread. Too many atoms in the world, I think. And there are too many worlds in the galaxy, and too many galaxies in the universe.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
National Park Article from The Source Today
This was published in The Source this morning. I guess they have decided it was more important than www.stjohnvillarental.com or www.frankbayvillas.com for villa rentals on st john.
St. John School Proposal Hits Snags in U.S. Senate
by Lynda Lohr
Christensen (center) and Lorelei Monsanto (right) at Wednesday's hearing.
April 23, 2008 -- A bill in Congress to provide land for a new school on St. John faces difficult legal and policy issues, according to the U.S. senator who chaired a hearing on the issue Wednesday.
The bill before the House of Representatives would authorize the U.S. Interior Department to lease land within V.I. National Park. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, chaired by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), held the hearing in Washington, D.C.
The hearing, which covered 11 bills concerning federal park facilities, was broadcast on the Internet. The bill, sponsored by Delegate Donna M. Christensen, passed the House in September 2007. At Wednesday's hearing, Christensen and St. John resident Lorelei Monsanto asked the Senate to pass the bill.
"The V.I. government has no land on St. John for a school," Christensen said. "Keep the welfare of the children in mind."
She spoke about the poor structural conditions of St. John's public schools, and noted that, in particular, Julius E. Sprauve School sits in a busy and congested area with a "rowdy drinking establishment" across the street. One Sprauve student, Javon Alfred, was killed while walking home from school in Cruz Bay, Christensen told the committee.
St. John residents Alvis Christen and Monsanto's daughter, Lauryn Samuel, were also present at the hearing, but they did not testify, Christensen said. Monsanto spoke on behalf of the One Campus group, which has pushed for the land lease bill.
A land swap rather than a lease might solve the problem, suggested Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), but Christensen and Monsanto opposed the idea. One scenario involves swapping land within the national park on St. John for local government land on St. Croix.
"Swapping land on St. Croix is like asking Texas to give land to Vermont," Monsanto said.
Allowing a land lease would set a bad precedent, according to several people who testified.
"If we agreed to something like that, we would be inundated with requests to have important community pieces in parks," Burr said.
In addition to the precedent issue, the Park Service opposes the land lease bill because it is inconsistent with the original purpose of the park, said Daniel Wenk, deputy director for operations of the Park Service.
Akaka asked Wenk if the property proposed for the lease -- 55 acres at Estate Catherineberg sold to the park by Ethel Bishop in 1968 -- had any buildings on it. There are buildings, but a school would have to be built, Wenk told him.
Under questioning from Akaka, Wenk said the park operates schools in Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park, but does not lease land in any parks to local governments.
Akaka concluded the hearing by noting that the Bush administration also opposes the bill. However, he said he would continue to work with the bill's sponsor to see if some solution can be reached.
One Campus forged new ground by testifying before the Senate, Monsanto said after the hearing.
"We're going to take it all the way to the end," she said.
St. John School Proposal Hits Snags in U.S. Senate
by Lynda Lohr
Christensen (center) and Lorelei Monsanto (right) at Wednesday's hearing.
April 23, 2008 -- A bill in Congress to provide land for a new school on St. John faces difficult legal and policy issues, according to the U.S. senator who chaired a hearing on the issue Wednesday.
The bill before the House of Representatives would authorize the U.S. Interior Department to lease land within V.I. National Park. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, chaired by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), held the hearing in Washington, D.C.
The hearing, which covered 11 bills concerning federal park facilities, was broadcast on the Internet. The bill, sponsored by Delegate Donna M. Christensen, passed the House in September 2007. At Wednesday's hearing, Christensen and St. John resident Lorelei Monsanto asked the Senate to pass the bill.
"The V.I. government has no land on St. John for a school," Christensen said. "Keep the welfare of the children in mind."
She spoke about the poor structural conditions of St. John's public schools, and noted that, in particular, Julius E. Sprauve School sits in a busy and congested area with a "rowdy drinking establishment" across the street. One Sprauve student, Javon Alfred, was killed while walking home from school in Cruz Bay, Christensen told the committee.
St. John residents Alvis Christen and Monsanto's daughter, Lauryn Samuel, were also present at the hearing, but they did not testify, Christensen said. Monsanto spoke on behalf of the One Campus group, which has pushed for the land lease bill.
A land swap rather than a lease might solve the problem, suggested Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), but Christensen and Monsanto opposed the idea. One scenario involves swapping land within the national park on St. John for local government land on St. Croix.
"Swapping land on St. Croix is like asking Texas to give land to Vermont," Monsanto said.
Allowing a land lease would set a bad precedent, according to several people who testified.
"If we agreed to something like that, we would be inundated with requests to have important community pieces in parks," Burr said.
In addition to the precedent issue, the Park Service opposes the land lease bill because it is inconsistent with the original purpose of the park, said Daniel Wenk, deputy director for operations of the Park Service.
Akaka asked Wenk if the property proposed for the lease -- 55 acres at Estate Catherineberg sold to the park by Ethel Bishop in 1968 -- had any buildings on it. There are buildings, but a school would have to be built, Wenk told him.
Under questioning from Akaka, Wenk said the park operates schools in Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park, but does not lease land in any parks to local governments.
Akaka concluded the hearing by noting that the Bush administration also opposes the bill. However, he said he would continue to work with the bill's sponsor to see if some solution can be reached.
One Campus forged new ground by testifying before the Senate, Monsanto said after the hearing.
"We're going to take it all the way to the end," she said.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Here is a small villa list
Villa Callaloo, Skyridge, Villa Cielomar, Bougainvillea, Caribsurf, and Kismet are all villas on st john that people can rent at www.stjohnvillarental.com and www.frankbayvillas.com, and if that happens, everyone will be really happy.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
I might as well do a st john post now
Here is a post that has loads of important information in it about everything.
Read this stuff. Here is information about st john virgin islands villa rentals. You can take a vacation in st john, but you need to use either of these websites to find a house or condo or villa to rent. If you are planning a trip for summer, you might as well do some research and use this St John Villa Rental This is the best choice of all villa rentals and has a photo gallery of st john attractions. St John USVI Villa Rentals Frank Bay Villas are perfect for st john vacations. In fact, they are so good that they recently won an award for top websites in the whole Caribbean for travel to the Virgin Islands. What do you think about that? I bet that no-one else in the usvi has won such an award. Here is the name again, in case you need to look at it one more time. St John Vacation Villa Rental A villa on St John is very relaxing. This is very informative. Go to Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, or get something on the water with a view. And maybe you should try this one as well, since it is extremely exciting. St John Villa Rentals Wedding or honeymoon? Try the wedding section, or the last-minute specials. We are planning a trip shortly. And don't forget to check out St John Villa Rentals. for information about shopping centers, beaches, activities, and loads of usvi villa rentals.
Read this stuff. Here is information about st john virgin islands villa rentals. You can take a vacation in st john, but you need to use either of these websites to find a house or condo or villa to rent. If you are planning a trip for summer, you might as well do some research and use this St John Villa Rental This is the best choice of all villa rentals and has a photo gallery of st john attractions. St John USVI Villa Rentals Frank Bay Villas are perfect for st john vacations. In fact, they are so good that they recently won an award for top websites in the whole Caribbean for travel to the Virgin Islands. What do you think about that? I bet that no-one else in the usvi has won such an award. Here is the name again, in case you need to look at it one more time. St John Vacation Villa Rental A villa on St John is very relaxing. This is very informative. Go to Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, or get something on the water with a view. And maybe you should try this one as well, since it is extremely exciting. St John Villa Rentals Wedding or honeymoon? Try the wedding section, or the last-minute specials. We are planning a trip shortly. And don't forget to check out St John Villa Rentals. for information about shopping centers, beaches, activities, and loads of usvi villa rentals.
Another test of the anchor text
Try this one.
Here is information about st john virgin islands villa rentals. You can take a vacation in st john, but you need to use either of these websites to find a house or condo or villa to rent. If you are planning a trip for summer, you might as well do some research and use this St John Villa Rental This is the best choice of all villa rentals and has a photo gallery of st john attractions. St John USVI Villa Rentals Frank Bay Villas are perfect for st john vacations. In fact, they are so good that they recently won an award for top websites in the whole Caribbean for travel to the Virgin Islands. What do you think about that? I bet that no-one else in the usvi has won such an award. Here is the name again, in case you need to look at it one more time. St John Vacation Villa Rental A villa on St John is very relaxing. Go to Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, or get something on the water with a view. And maybe you should try this one as well, since it is extremely exciting. St John Villa Rentals Wedding or honeymoon? Try the wedding section, or the last-minute specials. And don't forget to check out St John Villa Rentals. for information about shopping centers, beaches, activities, and loads of usvi villa rentals.
Here is information about st john virgin islands villa rentals. You can take a vacation in st john, but you need to use either of these websites to find a house or condo or villa to rent. If you are planning a trip for summer, you might as well do some research and use this St John Villa Rental This is the best choice of all villa rentals and has a photo gallery of st john attractions. St John USVI Villa Rentals Frank Bay Villas are perfect for st john vacations. In fact, they are so good that they recently won an award for top websites in the whole Caribbean for travel to the Virgin Islands. What do you think about that? I bet that no-one else in the usvi has won such an award. Here is the name again, in case you need to look at it one more time. St John Vacation Villa Rental A villa on St John is very relaxing. Go to Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, or get something on the water with a view. And maybe you should try this one as well, since it is extremely exciting. St John Villa Rentals Wedding or honeymoon? Try the wedding section, or the last-minute specials. And don't forget to check out St John Villa Rentals. for information about shopping centers, beaches, activities, and loads of usvi villa rentals.
Red Sox win 11-3
The Red Sox won yesterday 11-3, and David Ortiz got a grand slam. They are world serious champs, and will be so again this year.
Friday, April 18, 2008
I am not going to mention www.stjohntravelforum.com
Nope, no mention of www.stjohntravelforum.com today, especially concerning villa rentals. It will have to be mentioned by someone else. You could use google earth to find st john usvi villa rentals, but that would be over-doing it. Why not just use the website like everybody else in the world. Today I will probably put some villas in it and do some posts.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Yacht Club News
Today at the www.stjohnyachtclub.org, we can look at all the members of the st john yacht club, which is a caribbean yacht club in the virgin islands. Or not. Depends on you.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Nothing in this blog today -- don't bother reading it.
I am not going to mention anything at all in this blog today, except that if you search in google for st john villa last-minute specials, you will most likely find www.stjohntravelforum.com, but since this is not news to anybody, I am not going to publish it today.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Would this post be counted?
This is a very short post just to make the count on this equal to the other blogs. Don't ask me why. It is just sensible in some bizarre way.
Not For Profit Article from The Source
Not For Profit: St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce on St. Johnby Lynda Lohr
Kate Norfleet April 14, 2008 -- While there's always been a St. John in the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce, St. John residents recently organized their own chapter. "The benefit is more business for St. John businesses and a better understanding of what the business climate is and how things happen in it," Kate Norfleet, owner of Kate N Design said. Norfleet is a member of the St. Thomas/St. John chamber board of directors and a moving force in getting the St. John chapter organized. Rent a villa on St. John from www.stjohnvillarental.com, the place where the best vacation villa rentals are located. She said that in addition to herself, Fraser Drummond, Jose Penn, Debbie Hime, and Andrew Rutnik got the chapter underway about nine months ago. Norfleet said that www.frankbayvillas is a great place for villas on St John USVI, while there has been "up and down" participation from St. John businesses over the years, the growth in St. John's business community calls for the development of its own chapter. Norfleet said that while St. John business owners are "wonderfully independent," the connection to the St. Thomas business community can only help. She said that St. John needs its own chamber chapter because the island's issues are different than those on St. Thomas. The chamber has put tourism high on its list of issues. "It's about developing a more welcoming experience," Hime, who is working on the chamber's tourism initiative, said. For example, Hime said she regularly sees tourists who are unsure about which way to go when they get off the ferry. Hime said the chamber is discussing solutions that may call for a large map of Cruz Bay, a booklet that provides information about what to do on St. John or even hiring greeters for St. John and Red Hook, St. Thomas. Other projects on the front burner include public safety, and Norfleet said a committee is working with the Police Department and a security company to evaluate the situation with surveillance cameras. She said the St. John chapter is also working on health issues, including the Star of Life Ambulance boat, and has put education on its list of issues that need to be addressed. And she said the chamber is working in concert with the Tourism Department and V.I. National Park. The chamber wants to improve membership and let businesses know about its benefits. Norfleet said there are currently 41 members and that while active participation is always good, just joining helps. "It gives your business a voice," she said. She said membership provides networking opportunities for businesses as well as social opportunities. For example, she said the Chamber of Commerce is honoring Stanley Selengut, owner of Maho Bay Camps and other St. John properties, at its annual dinner dance on May 31 at St. Peter Greathouse. She said Selengut will get the Bill LaMotta award for his outstanding contribution to improving the quality of life on St. John. Norfleet said that the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce website gets many hits from people who are looking to start businesses on St. John and from those who are planning vacations and looking for reassurance that a business is legitimate. Norfleet said this is especially important with vacation villas. The St. John chapter meets for an hour at 5:30 p.m. every third Thursday at St. Ursula's Multipurpose Center. Call Norfleet at 693-9099.
Kate Norfleet April 14, 2008 -- While there's always been a St. John in the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce, St. John residents recently organized their own chapter. "The benefit is more business for St. John businesses and a better understanding of what the business climate is and how things happen in it," Kate Norfleet, owner of Kate N Design said. Norfleet is a member of the St. Thomas/St. John chamber board of directors and a moving force in getting the St. John chapter organized. Rent a villa on St. John from www.stjohnvillarental.com, the place where the best vacation villa rentals are located. She said that in addition to herself, Fraser Drummond, Jose Penn, Debbie Hime, and Andrew Rutnik got the chapter underway about nine months ago. Norfleet said that www.frankbayvillas is a great place for villas on St John USVI, while there has been "up and down" participation from St. John businesses over the years, the growth in St. John's business community calls for the development of its own chapter. Norfleet said that while St. John business owners are "wonderfully independent," the connection to the St. Thomas business community can only help. She said that St. John needs its own chamber chapter because the island's issues are different than those on St. Thomas. The chamber has put tourism high on its list of issues. "It's about developing a more welcoming experience," Hime, who is working on the chamber's tourism initiative, said. For example, Hime said she regularly sees tourists who are unsure about which way to go when they get off the ferry. Hime said the chamber is discussing solutions that may call for a large map of Cruz Bay, a booklet that provides information about what to do on St. John or even hiring greeters for St. John and Red Hook, St. Thomas. Other projects on the front burner include public safety, and Norfleet said a committee is working with the Police Department and a security company to evaluate the situation with surveillance cameras. She said the St. John chapter is also working on health issues, including the Star of Life Ambulance boat, and has put education on its list of issues that need to be addressed. And she said the chamber is working in concert with the Tourism Department and V.I. National Park. The chamber wants to improve membership and let businesses know about its benefits. Norfleet said there are currently 41 members and that while active participation is always good, just joining helps. "It gives your business a voice," she said. She said membership provides networking opportunities for businesses as well as social opportunities. For example, she said the Chamber of Commerce is honoring Stanley Selengut, owner of Maho Bay Camps and other St. John properties, at its annual dinner dance on May 31 at St. Peter Greathouse. She said Selengut will get the Bill LaMotta award for his outstanding contribution to improving the quality of life on St. John. Norfleet said that the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce website gets many hits from people who are looking to start businesses on St. John and from those who are planning vacations and looking for reassurance that a business is legitimate. Norfleet said this is especially important with vacation villas. The St. John chapter meets for an hour at 5:30 p.m. every third Thursday at St. Ursula's Multipurpose Center. Call Norfleet at 693-9099.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
My My My, Why, Why, Why
Try to be Sly
My oh My,
Do not Cry,
Eat a Pie.
It is Neat,
Take a Seat,
Quite a Feat,
What a Treat.
My oh My,
Do not Cry,
Eat a Pie.
It is Neat,
Take a Seat,
Quite a Feat,
What a Treat.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
News from The Source today
This was in The Source today. About the constitutional convention. Nothing at all in it about renting villas on st john for your vacation. www.stjohnvillarental.com would be the proper website, as would be www.frankbayvillas.com, but they werent mentioned. Anyway, this news was about the virgin islands, not just st john.
Property-Tax Debate Continues at Constitutional Convention Hearingby Barbara Birt
Hiram Rasool Abiff argues for independence from the United States. April 11, 2008 -- A room full of constitutional convention delegates, flanked by four members of the public, heard testimony Friday about native rights and taxation during a public hearing by the Committee on Taxation, Finance and Commerce. The committee is one of 12 participating in the Fifth Constitutional Convention, which is charged with having a draft constitution for the Virgin Islands prepared by July 27, although delegates predicted that that date will be revisited. Once a draft is approved, it goes to the governor, then Congress, then the president for review, and if approved, it's returned to the territory for a vote later this year. Concerns raised during a public hearing held by the same committee Thursday on St. John were echoed Friday evening as speaker after speaker railed against a proposed new tax structure for the territory, which arose out of a federal mandate to reevaluate property based on 2006 fair market values. Detractors argued that the new system holds such dramatic tax increases for St. John that it could drive residents from their homes. "We need help now ... immediate attention," said delegate Wilma Marsh Monsanto. "We cannot wait for a constitution. We are treated so unfairly on St. John -- a 300-percent increase! It's just not right. The reassessment needs to be thrown out the window, and it needs to be reconsidered." Gentrification was blamed for driving up values, and many testified that native-born Virgin Islanders deserve redress. "I don't believe native-born Virgin Islanders should pay property tax," said delegate Michael Thurland. "I think we have certain generational rights as those sons and daughters of slaves. We have not been repaid." Testifying as a member of the public, Hiram Rasool Abiff suggested that the delegates need to use this convention as an opportunity to examine independence from the United States. "Why should we not build on the foundation of the people who struggled before us?" Abiff said. "(Independence) has to be an option, it has to be on the table. America did it. And they say we have to follow the constitution. They made one that suited the needs of America, and that's what this constitution should do, is suit the needs of the Virgin Islands. You have to give the people who struggled a little more than the people who benefited from the struggle." Some people testifying Friday pointed to what they called inequities in property taxes, including dispensations granted to large tract holders and corporations such as the Hovensa refinery on St. Croix, which Abiff said pays $1 a year for what he described as "prime" real estate. Tax breaks afforded certain businesses through the Economic Development Commission (EDC) were also questioned. "I think we ought to take a look at the real benefits of the EDC program," said delegate Thomas Moore. "How is it working out? Are we really gaining from it, or not? It seems to me that's something, as a taxation committee, we ought to be taking a look at." Moore, a former territorial judge, argued for instilling equity in the territory's taxation system by replacing property taxes with income taxes. "I think it's within our power to make it clear that the Virgin Islands legislature has the authority to set income taxes, and they can be made much more equitable, more fair for everyone," he said. While Moore argued that his proposal has legal standing, one delegate urged his colleagues to keep in mind that any document they produce must not go against the tenets of the U.S. constitution or it will be rejected when it reaches Washington. "I'm asking us to make sure during this whole process, that we keep in mind our goal, that it will pass Congress and be accepted ... otherwise we have failed in our mission," said Francis Jackson, an attorney. His appeal prompted a passionate reply from delegate Thurland. "Mahatma Gandhi made a statement when he was fighting to get Great Britain out of his place in India," Thurland told the group. "He said, 'I welcome all cultures to be blown throughout my house, but I refuse to be blown off my feet by any,' and that's where I stand."
Property-Tax Debate Continues at Constitutional Convention Hearingby Barbara Birt
Hiram Rasool Abiff argues for independence from the United States. April 11, 2008 -- A room full of constitutional convention delegates, flanked by four members of the public, heard testimony Friday about native rights and taxation during a public hearing by the Committee on Taxation, Finance and Commerce. The committee is one of 12 participating in the Fifth Constitutional Convention, which is charged with having a draft constitution for the Virgin Islands prepared by July 27, although delegates predicted that that date will be revisited. Once a draft is approved, it goes to the governor, then Congress, then the president for review, and if approved, it's returned to the territory for a vote later this year. Concerns raised during a public hearing held by the same committee Thursday on St. John were echoed Friday evening as speaker after speaker railed against a proposed new tax structure for the territory, which arose out of a federal mandate to reevaluate property based on 2006 fair market values. Detractors argued that the new system holds such dramatic tax increases for St. John that it could drive residents from their homes. "We need help now ... immediate attention," said delegate Wilma Marsh Monsanto. "We cannot wait for a constitution. We are treated so unfairly on St. John -- a 300-percent increase! It's just not right. The reassessment needs to be thrown out the window, and it needs to be reconsidered." Gentrification was blamed for driving up values, and many testified that native-born Virgin Islanders deserve redress. "I don't believe native-born Virgin Islanders should pay property tax," said delegate Michael Thurland. "I think we have certain generational rights as those sons and daughters of slaves. We have not been repaid." Testifying as a member of the public, Hiram Rasool Abiff suggested that the delegates need to use this convention as an opportunity to examine independence from the United States. "Why should we not build on the foundation of the people who struggled before us?" Abiff said. "(Independence) has to be an option, it has to be on the table. America did it. And they say we have to follow the constitution. They made one that suited the needs of America, and that's what this constitution should do, is suit the needs of the Virgin Islands. You have to give the people who struggled a little more than the people who benefited from the struggle." Some people testifying Friday pointed to what they called inequities in property taxes, including dispensations granted to large tract holders and corporations such as the Hovensa refinery on St. Croix, which Abiff said pays $1 a year for what he described as "prime" real estate. Tax breaks afforded certain businesses through the Economic Development Commission (EDC) were also questioned. "I think we ought to take a look at the real benefits of the EDC program," said delegate Thomas Moore. "How is it working out? Are we really gaining from it, or not? It seems to me that's something, as a taxation committee, we ought to be taking a look at." Moore, a former territorial judge, argued for instilling equity in the territory's taxation system by replacing property taxes with income taxes. "I think it's within our power to make it clear that the Virgin Islands legislature has the authority to set income taxes, and they can be made much more equitable, more fair for everyone," he said. While Moore argued that his proposal has legal standing, one delegate urged his colleagues to keep in mind that any document they produce must not go against the tenets of the U.S. constitution or it will be rejected when it reaches Washington. "I'm asking us to make sure during this whole process, that we keep in mind our goal, that it will pass Congress and be accepted ... otherwise we have failed in our mission," said Francis Jackson, an attorney. His appeal prompted a passionate reply from delegate Thurland. "Mahatma Gandhi made a statement when he was fighting to get Great Britain out of his place in India," Thurland told the group. "He said, 'I welcome all cultures to be blown throughout my house, but I refuse to be blown off my feet by any,' and that's where I stand."
Friday, April 11, 2008
This poor little blog at the bottom
Being the last blog gets you very little attention. Especially today. No mention of anything.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Hurricane Article From The Source
If you are planning on a st john villa rental in hurricane system, something from www.stjohnvillarental.com, you should make sure that you are aware of possible storms. And the same goes for www.frankbayvillas.com.
Here is the article from The Source today.
Forecast Calls for Very Active Hurricane Season by Lynda Lohr
April 9, 2008 -- Look for a hurricane season well above average, said hurricane forecasters William Gray and Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State University Wednesday. The team anticipates 15 named storms will form in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and Nov. 30. They predict eight will become hurricanes. Of those eight, four are expected to develop into intense or major hurricanes with sustained winds of 111 mph or more. "We are calling for a very active hurricane season this year, but not as active as the 2004 and 2005 seasons," Klotzbach said in a news release. Long-term averages stand at 9.6 named storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes per year. The hurricane forecast team predicts tropical cyclone activity in 2008 will be 160 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2005, the year of 28 record-breaking named storms and 15 hurricanes, witnessed tropical cyclone activity that was about 275 percent of the average season. "Current oceanic and atmospheric trends indicate that we will likely have an active Atlantic basin hurricane season," Gray said. This is Gray's 25th year forecasting hurricanes at Colorado State University. Jacqueline Heyliger, deputy director at the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, said that residents should be prepared for disasters year round because earthquakes, tsunamis and other disasters can hit at any time. However, she said that with the start of hurricane season coming fast, residents should get ready. "Start trimming your bushes and securing your roof," she said. She said that residents should also make sure their hurricane shutters are in good repair and their generators are in good working order. The team said that current conditions in the Atlantic basin are quite favorable for an active hurricane season. The current sea surface temperature pattern in the Atlantic -- prevalent in most years since 1995 -- is a pattern typically observed before very active seasons. Also, a weak Azores high will likely promote weaker-than-normal trade winds over the next few months. This will enhance warm sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic. Additionally, the team expects neutral or weak La Nina conditions in the tropical Pacific, which, combined with predicted warmth in the north and tropical Atlantic, is a recipe for enhanced Atlantic basin hurricane activity. These factors are similar to conditions that occurred during the 1950, 1989, 1999, and 2000 seasons. The average of these four seasons had well above-average activity, and Klotzbach and Gray predict the 2008 season will have activity in line with the average of these four years. The team also predicted above-average major hurricane landfall risk in the Caribbean. They do not put a percentage on this prediction. Klotzbach said that based on the latest forecast, the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline is 69 percent compared with the 20th-century average of 52 percent. They predict a 45 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida peninsula. The long-term average is 31 percent. And they forecast a 44 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville. The long-term average is 30 percent. "The United States was quite fortunate over the last two years in that we had only one hurricane landfall -- Humberto in 2007," Klotzbach said. "None of the four major hurricanes that formed in 2006 and 2007 made U.S. landfall." The Colorado State hurricane forecast team cautioned against reading too much into the hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 when the Florida and Gulf coasts were ravaged by four hurricanes that made landfall each year. Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne caused devastating damage in 2004 followed by Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005. "The activity of these two years was unusual, but within the natural bounds of hurricane variation," Gray said. The hurricane team's forecasts are based on the premise that global oceanic and atmospheric conditions -such as El Nino, sea surface temperatures and sea level pressures that preceded active or inactive hurricane seasons in the past provide meaningful information about similar trends in future seasons. The team will issue seasonal updates of its 2008 Atlantic basin hurricane activity forecast on June 3, Aug. 5, Sept. 2 and Oct. 1. The August, September and October forecasts will include separate forecasts for each of those months.
Here is the article from The Source today.
Forecast Calls for Very Active Hurricane Season by Lynda Lohr
April 9, 2008 -- Look for a hurricane season well above average, said hurricane forecasters William Gray and Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State University Wednesday. The team anticipates 15 named storms will form in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and Nov. 30. They predict eight will become hurricanes. Of those eight, four are expected to develop into intense or major hurricanes with sustained winds of 111 mph or more. "We are calling for a very active hurricane season this year, but not as active as the 2004 and 2005 seasons," Klotzbach said in a news release. Long-term averages stand at 9.6 named storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes per year. The hurricane forecast team predicts tropical cyclone activity in 2008 will be 160 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2005, the year of 28 record-breaking named storms and 15 hurricanes, witnessed tropical cyclone activity that was about 275 percent of the average season. "Current oceanic and atmospheric trends indicate that we will likely have an active Atlantic basin hurricane season," Gray said. This is Gray's 25th year forecasting hurricanes at Colorado State University. Jacqueline Heyliger, deputy director at the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, said that residents should be prepared for disasters year round because earthquakes, tsunamis and other disasters can hit at any time. However, she said that with the start of hurricane season coming fast, residents should get ready. "Start trimming your bushes and securing your roof," she said. She said that residents should also make sure their hurricane shutters are in good repair and their generators are in good working order. The team said that current conditions in the Atlantic basin are quite favorable for an active hurricane season. The current sea surface temperature pattern in the Atlantic -- prevalent in most years since 1995 -- is a pattern typically observed before very active seasons. Also, a weak Azores high will likely promote weaker-than-normal trade winds over the next few months. This will enhance warm sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic. Additionally, the team expects neutral or weak La Nina conditions in the tropical Pacific, which, combined with predicted warmth in the north and tropical Atlantic, is a recipe for enhanced Atlantic basin hurricane activity. These factors are similar to conditions that occurred during the 1950, 1989, 1999, and 2000 seasons. The average of these four seasons had well above-average activity, and Klotzbach and Gray predict the 2008 season will have activity in line with the average of these four years. The team also predicted above-average major hurricane landfall risk in the Caribbean. They do not put a percentage on this prediction. Klotzbach said that based on the latest forecast, the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline is 69 percent compared with the 20th-century average of 52 percent. They predict a 45 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida peninsula. The long-term average is 31 percent. And they forecast a 44 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville. The long-term average is 30 percent. "The United States was quite fortunate over the last two years in that we had only one hurricane landfall -- Humberto in 2007," Klotzbach said. "None of the four major hurricanes that formed in 2006 and 2007 made U.S. landfall." The Colorado State hurricane forecast team cautioned against reading too much into the hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 when the Florida and Gulf coasts were ravaged by four hurricanes that made landfall each year. Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne caused devastating damage in 2004 followed by Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005. "The activity of these two years was unusual, but within the natural bounds of hurricane variation," Gray said. The hurricane team's forecasts are based on the premise that global oceanic and atmospheric conditions -such as El Nino, sea surface temperatures and sea level pressures that preceded active or inactive hurricane seasons in the past provide meaningful information about similar trends in future seasons. The team will issue seasonal updates of its 2008 Atlantic basin hurricane activity forecast on June 3, Aug. 5, Sept. 2 and Oct. 1. The August, September and October forecasts will include separate forecasts for each of those months.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Last but not least
This is the last blog for me to post in today, so I won't mention google at all. I be those little google bots will find this and think it is about st john us virgin islands. No website mention today, but if you need a vacation here, this would be a good place to come to. Sunny today, so I will probably just do villa rental stuff and not bother with anything else.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
News about a race on St. Croix - From The Source
From St. John Source newspaper this morning.
Theresa Harper, Bob Halk Top Winners in West is Best Raceby Carol Buchanan
Top winners Theresa Harper and Bob Halk congratulate each other. April 7, 2008 -- West is Best, the second race of St. Croix's Triathlon Series, took place under clear, blue skies in Frederiksted Sunday morning, with a strong breeze keeping it from getting too hot for the racers. "It was a beautiful day for a race," said racer Donna Duffy. "I would have loved to watch it." Close to 80 participated in either the triathlon sprint, Try-A- Tri, or the team relay. The triathlon consisted of an 11.5-mile bike, three-mile run and 800-yard swim. The Try-A-Tri is a 400-yard swim, six-mile bike and 1.5-mile run. Bob Halk, in his 11th West is Best, took overall first for men. He competes in the 30 to 39 age group. Halk, who had been a competitive collegiate swimmer, makes time in the swimming leg of the race. ( Click for rest of article )
A D V E R T I S I N G : "I am really happy with my performance," Halk said. "I got an early lead in swimming." Halk described the course as flat and fast. His time was 1 hour, 4 minutes, 36 seconds. Theresa Harper, who took first for women, said West is Best is not a particularly good course for her because it is too flat -- she is strong on the hills. The first 10 minutes are easy, and the next 55 are challenging, she said. "The race was a lot of fun, with a lot of women in the field who are pretty competitive," Harper said. "I was happy the police were so supportive and they did a good job at the intersections." Harper's time was 2:13:32. Dewayne Smith, who placed first in the East End Triathlon in March, came in second. "It wasn't my best race, but this is a tune up for the long-haul endurance of the Iron Man," Smith said. The winners in the relay team were Lauren Harcrow, Dick Isherwood and Julie Eckard with a time of 1:10:59. In the under-20 age group, Will Piel came in first. Piel said his run was good and he did well swimming, but he didn't like the turnaround and speed bumps in the bike race. The race is sponsored by Project St. Croix. The winners got $25 gift certificates to Stamina Sports, and relay winners each got $10 certificates. The remaining races in the series are: -- May 4: St. Croix Ironman 70.3 and Sprint, Christiansted; -- Sept. 21: Toyota Wall2Wall, Cane Bay; -- Oct. 5: Stamina Sports Duathlon, Cramers Park; and -- Nov. 16: Caribbean Classic, Buccaneer. For more information about the races call 773-8456. Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
Theresa Harper, Bob Halk Top Winners in West is Best Raceby Carol Buchanan
Top winners Theresa Harper and Bob Halk congratulate each other. April 7, 2008 -- West is Best, the second race of St. Croix's Triathlon Series, took place under clear, blue skies in Frederiksted Sunday morning, with a strong breeze keeping it from getting too hot for the racers. "It was a beautiful day for a race," said racer Donna Duffy. "I would have loved to watch it." Close to 80 participated in either the triathlon sprint, Try-A- Tri, or the team relay. The triathlon consisted of an 11.5-mile bike, three-mile run and 800-yard swim. The Try-A-Tri is a 400-yard swim, six-mile bike and 1.5-mile run. Bob Halk, in his 11th West is Best, took overall first for men. He competes in the 30 to 39 age group. Halk, who had been a competitive collegiate swimmer, makes time in the swimming leg of the race. ( Click for rest of article )
A D V E R T I S I N G : "I am really happy with my performance," Halk said. "I got an early lead in swimming." Halk described the course as flat and fast. His time was 1 hour, 4 minutes, 36 seconds. Theresa Harper, who took first for women, said West is Best is not a particularly good course for her because it is too flat -- she is strong on the hills. The first 10 minutes are easy, and the next 55 are challenging, she said. "The race was a lot of fun, with a lot of women in the field who are pretty competitive," Harper said. "I was happy the police were so supportive and they did a good job at the intersections." Harper's time was 2:13:32. Dewayne Smith, who placed first in the East End Triathlon in March, came in second. "It wasn't my best race, but this is a tune up for the long-haul endurance of the Iron Man," Smith said. The winners in the relay team were Lauren Harcrow, Dick Isherwood and Julie Eckard with a time of 1:10:59. In the under-20 age group, Will Piel came in first. Piel said his run was good and he did well swimming, but he didn't like the turnaround and speed bumps in the bike race. The race is sponsored by Project St. Croix. The winners got $25 gift certificates to Stamina Sports, and relay winners each got $10 certificates. The remaining races in the series are: -- May 4: St. Croix Ironman 70.3 and Sprint, Christiansted; -- Sept. 21: Toyota Wall2Wall, Cane Bay; -- Oct. 5: Stamina Sports Duathlon, Cramers Park; and -- Nov. 16: Caribbean Classic, Buccaneer. For more information about the races call 773-8456. Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
Monday, April 7, 2008
St John Yacht Club
The St. John Yacht Club website is www.stjohnyachtclub.org.
Eventually it will show up in search engines like google, but not for a while, since it is a Caribbean yacht club with sailboats, races, and social events.
Eventually it will show up in search engines like google, but not for a while, since it is a Caribbean yacht club with sailboats, races, and social events.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Vacations on St. John
When you go to St John USVI, make sure your villa rental is from www.stjohnvillarental.com or you will not get the vacation villa you need. This is not a green chip. It is sandy beaches and lots of tourist attractions that you will find.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Caribbean Yacht Clubs
St John Yacht Clubs in the Caribbean Virgin Islands include the St. John Yacht Club, which is proudly at www.stjohnyachtclub.org, a website that Captain G. Piecost invented.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Ralph Royster Doyster
Nothing at all today except best wishes for everyone. Blah de blah. No news at all to comment on. I am going to do nothing much today on St. John.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Trip Advisor and Villa Rental
Combination Trip Advisor and Villa Rental for St. John? Yes. www.stjohntravelforum.com. This is the place to find information about St. John, USVI Virgin Islands. And you can find where to get a st john villa rental for your vacation right in this travel forum. At least, you can if you can find the website. Google finds it for the search term st john virgin islands travel forum. Number one.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
From "The Source" about Rolex Regatta
Wind Abates to Make for Great Rolex Racingby Pamela Reid Bussard. I should put this info into the www.stjohnvillarental.com website, but I won't.
Owner Juan Moline Arroyo, with veteran crew Gregory Fink and Eddy Santiago, helped new crewmates Luis Samo and Raphael Vazquez learn about race sailing, resulting in a class win. (Photo courtesy Rolex / Daniel Forster) March 31, 2008 -- After Friday's winds of over 20 knots, the weather relented, seas became calmer and Rolex sailors enjoyed great racing on Saturday and Sunday. With Saturday's 15- to 20-knot winds, day two was less about broaching, blown chutes and breakage and more about technical racing. Fewer casualties and equipment failures made the racing just south of Pillsbury Sound the kind of experience about which all sailors dream. Sunday's racing was even better, with winds mostly below 18 knots and the seas calmer. Sailors were pleased with the less rigorous conditions and were able to employ technical tricks to make racing even more competitive and exciting. Contenders came to the St. Thomas Yacht Club from all over the Caribbean, the United States and Europe to compete in several hotly contested classes. Bad Girl of St. Croix, in Spinnaker Racing 1, was the only V.I. class winner. The most wins went to Puerto Rico, with four winners. The new IRC divisions brought competitors to Rolex from the United States. the British.Virgin.Islands, Germany, and Great Britain. The IRC boats, which raced in the regatta for the first time this year, brought a "whole new dimension of boats to Rolex," said Bill Canfield, St. Thomas Yacht Club manager. "We support the Caribbean Sailing Association rule now and forever, but we believe we should open Rolex to outsiders who want to race the rules used around the rest of the world,". Peter Holmberg, in the IRC 2 class, is skippering Ondeck Bandit. Holmberg said racing had gone well for his boat Saturday after blowing a spinnaker Friday. Ondeck Bandit finished third after the second day, behind boats Three Harkoms and Oystercatcher XXVI. Ondeck Bandit was to move up to second place behind Three Harkoms after the third day of racing. "We sailed pretty darn good. Three Harkoms has a nice rating and it’s pretty tough to beat them," Holmberg said Sunday. "I am really happy with how my guys did. There were no mistakes." The Farr 40's crew is made up of four local sailors, handpicked by Holmberg, plus six members of the Ondeck team. "I brought a few of my guys on board. The Ondeck team are sailors that we are helping turn into racers." On Saturday, with the exception of the non-spinnaker class, which had a 26-mile race, the race committee started four, twice-around-the-buoys races, for most of the classes. The last races started well after 3 p.m. on Saturday. "I think the race committee was a bit ambitious giving us four races," Holmberg said on Saturday. "Three races might have been the right balance of racing time and camaraderie after racing." Holmerg, who has recently returned home to St. Thomas from a globe-trotting career of racing America's Cup boats, is thrilled to be back in his native waters. Holmberg said that his number one take-away for Saturday's racing was "for sure, classic, beautiful Caribbean sailing. This is my home. It's kinda neat, you know, to see conditions of 15 to 20 (knots), winds out of the southeast, sunny, 87.6 degrees. What else do you want?" Sunday's one 13-nautical-mile race in Pillsbury Sound tested sailors’ knowledge of currents, and ability to judge where the most favorable conditions were for the upwind and downwind legs. Robert Armstrong's Bad Girl, which won the Spinnaker Racing One, stayed on the St. Thomas side of the course. Native Crucian Jens Hookansen said Bad Girl played the current better than their competition. Crewmate Carlos Skov agreed, "This paid off for us. There was definitely more pressure on the St. Thomas side all day. We had current charts and all the local boys were on the same side as we were, giving us reassurance that it was the right thing to do." Bad Girl's crew spoke highly of their competition, Devil Cubed, crewed by the Stanton brothers and Sydney Jones, all of St. Croix. Hookansen said that Devil Cubed sailed a great regatta and sent congratulations to them. If there was a sweetheart story of this year's regatta, it had to go to Medalla Light, from Puerto Rico. With two brand new crewmates, one of whom had not raced in a regatta before, the J/24 was unable to compete in its regular class, and went to the Non-Spinnaker Racing First class. "We didn't feel like we had enough boat handling experience to compete in the J/24 class," said Fink. Using all the tactics, tuning and discipline they use against their usual one-design competitors, they schooled the rest of the class in how to shape a team for a win in their class, by doing it. For regatta results and photos, please see the official International Rolex Regatta website at www.rolexcupregatta.com.
Owner Juan Moline Arroyo, with veteran crew Gregory Fink and Eddy Santiago, helped new crewmates Luis Samo and Raphael Vazquez learn about race sailing, resulting in a class win. (Photo courtesy Rolex / Daniel Forster) March 31, 2008 -- After Friday's winds of over 20 knots, the weather relented, seas became calmer and Rolex sailors enjoyed great racing on Saturday and Sunday. With Saturday's 15- to 20-knot winds, day two was less about broaching, blown chutes and breakage and more about technical racing. Fewer casualties and equipment failures made the racing just south of Pillsbury Sound the kind of experience about which all sailors dream. Sunday's racing was even better, with winds mostly below 18 knots and the seas calmer. Sailors were pleased with the less rigorous conditions and were able to employ technical tricks to make racing even more competitive and exciting. Contenders came to the St. Thomas Yacht Club from all over the Caribbean, the United States and Europe to compete in several hotly contested classes. Bad Girl of St. Croix, in Spinnaker Racing 1, was the only V.I. class winner. The most wins went to Puerto Rico, with four winners. The new IRC divisions brought competitors to Rolex from the United States. the British.Virgin.Islands, Germany, and Great Britain. The IRC boats, which raced in the regatta for the first time this year, brought a "whole new dimension of boats to Rolex," said Bill Canfield, St. Thomas Yacht Club manager. "We support the Caribbean Sailing Association rule now and forever, but we believe we should open Rolex to outsiders who want to race the rules used around the rest of the world,". Peter Holmberg, in the IRC 2 class, is skippering Ondeck Bandit. Holmberg said racing had gone well for his boat Saturday after blowing a spinnaker Friday. Ondeck Bandit finished third after the second day, behind boats Three Harkoms and Oystercatcher XXVI. Ondeck Bandit was to move up to second place behind Three Harkoms after the third day of racing. "We sailed pretty darn good. Three Harkoms has a nice rating and it’s pretty tough to beat them," Holmberg said Sunday. "I am really happy with how my guys did. There were no mistakes." The Farr 40's crew is made up of four local sailors, handpicked by Holmberg, plus six members of the Ondeck team. "I brought a few of my guys on board. The Ondeck team are sailors that we are helping turn into racers." On Saturday, with the exception of the non-spinnaker class, which had a 26-mile race, the race committee started four, twice-around-the-buoys races, for most of the classes. The last races started well after 3 p.m. on Saturday. "I think the race committee was a bit ambitious giving us four races," Holmberg said on Saturday. "Three races might have been the right balance of racing time and camaraderie after racing." Holmerg, who has recently returned home to St. Thomas from a globe-trotting career of racing America's Cup boats, is thrilled to be back in his native waters. Holmberg said that his number one take-away for Saturday's racing was "for sure, classic, beautiful Caribbean sailing. This is my home. It's kinda neat, you know, to see conditions of 15 to 20 (knots), winds out of the southeast, sunny, 87.6 degrees. What else do you want?" Sunday's one 13-nautical-mile race in Pillsbury Sound tested sailors’ knowledge of currents, and ability to judge where the most favorable conditions were for the upwind and downwind legs. Robert Armstrong's Bad Girl, which won the Spinnaker Racing One, stayed on the St. Thomas side of the course. Native Crucian Jens Hookansen said Bad Girl played the current better than their competition. Crewmate Carlos Skov agreed, "This paid off for us. There was definitely more pressure on the St. Thomas side all day. We had current charts and all the local boys were on the same side as we were, giving us reassurance that it was the right thing to do." Bad Girl's crew spoke highly of their competition, Devil Cubed, crewed by the Stanton brothers and Sydney Jones, all of St. Croix. Hookansen said that Devil Cubed sailed a great regatta and sent congratulations to them. If there was a sweetheart story of this year's regatta, it had to go to Medalla Light, from Puerto Rico. With two brand new crewmates, one of whom had not raced in a regatta before, the J/24 was unable to compete in its regular class, and went to the Non-Spinnaker Racing First class. "We didn't feel like we had enough boat handling experience to compete in the J/24 class," said Fink. Using all the tactics, tuning and discipline they use against their usual one-design competitors, they schooled the rest of the class in how to shape a team for a win in their class, by doing it. For regatta results and photos, please see the official International Rolex Regatta website at www.rolexcupregatta.com.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Forums
When you need a travel forum that has villa rentals, www.stjohntravelforum.com is the natural choice, since it has everything you need about St. John, including Villa Claudia and other 4-bedroom villa rentals.
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