Bitter End Yacht Club to Host 15th Annual Pro-Am Regatta Nov. 3-10

The Bitter End Yacht Club, the world’s premiere sailing and watersports resort, today announced that guests can once again race with some of the wold’s top sailors as part of the 15th Annaul “Anniversary” Pro-Am Regatta. The Pro-Am - Sailing’s version of a fantasy camp - is set ofr Nov. 3-10 on the protected, yet challenging waters of North Sound.

The regatta, the only one of its type in the world, matches resort guests as crew with world-renowned skippers, including two time America’s Cup winner Russelll Coutts of New Zealand, or Admiral’s Cup winning helmsmen, Ken Read, among others. As an added bonus, this year’s format will again feature current champions as well as some of sailing’s best-known legends, such as Lowell North, Rod Johnstone, and Keith Musto. “We’ve recruited some of the best known sailors in the world - from today and yesteryear - to participate in this year’s Anniversary Pro-Am Regatta,” said Regatta Chairman John Glynn. “All but one are Pro Am veterans and past winners,” he added.

Guests and chmpions will race together on Bitter End’s Freedom 30s using the unique triple-racing format that debuted at the Pro-Am Regatta two years ago. Individual “Junior” and “Master” division winners and the overall regatta “team champions” of the week will be recognized at an awards ceremony on Nov. 9. Each day is capped off with evening social gatherings and informative seminars. Peter and J.J. Isler, perennial Pro-Am guest favorites, will be on hand as Honorary Regatta Chairs, and seminar moderators. Last year’s Spirit & Enthusiasm Award winner, Linda Coleman (a seven-time Pro-Am Regatta guest crew), called the Pro-Am “the best vacation a sailor of any level can have.”

As part of the Weeklong festivities, Bitter End guests can compete in the 6th Annual Defiance Day Regatta and awards party. Named for Sir Francis Drake’s attack flagship Defiance, this two-race event commemorates Drake’s visit to the North Sound in 1595. The Defiance Day is open to any of the nearly 500 charter cruising and race boats in the BVI. Vacation packages for the Pro-Am Regatta start at $1,400 per person for seven nights, based on double occupancy. Rates include three meals daily, all racing, excursions, and complimentary use of the resort’s fleet of more than 100 watercraft.

Located on the island of Virgin Gorda, Bitter End Yacht Club has 89 accommodations, including Beachfront Villas, North Sound Suites and live-aboard Freedom 30 yachts. Bitter End yacht Club is consistently recognized by leading travel publications as a top Caribbean destination. Bitter End has recently been ranked by Child Magazine as one of the top 10 resorts in Florida and the Caribbean for families.

For more information, visit Bitter End’s Web site at www.beyc.com. To make a reservation, please contact the Bitter End Yacht Club at 800-872-2392 or via e-mail at binfo@beyc.com.