Airgasm and Bleue Win Willy T
Airgasm (trimaran) and Bleue (monohull) took top honours in the 2025 Willy T Race, with strong showings across trimarans, monohulls and an eight-boat dinghy fleet. The RBVI Yacht Club also celebrated a group of first-time Willy T sailors in this year’s Virgin’s Cup for dinghies.
Sails filled and crews pushed off as a mixed fleet made its way to the famous Willy T floating bar in this year’s Willy T Race and Virgin’s Cup, staged by the Royal British Virgin Islands Yacht Club (RBVIYC). A total of 15 boats — four trimarans, two monohulls, eight dinghies and a Tortola sloop — went to sea for the event.
The course sent boats up to Great Harbour on Peter Island, where competitors rounded the RMS Rhone anchor-dive site ball, then continued past Dead Chest to starboard and down toward Pelican and the Indians before the action-packed run into the Willy T finish. In the multihull division it was Airgasm, helmed by Hannah Gardner, that crossed the line first in a time of 1:25:35, finishing about six minutes ahead of Kay Reddy aboard Ting a Ling 2 (1:31:38).
Trimaran placings were completed by Triple Jack (Claudia Delahoy, 1:41:11) and Jerk Pork (Emily Simpson, 1:49:51). The monohull contest saw Bleue (Beneteau First 210) take the win in 1:04:22, with Opal (Colgate 26), helmed by Nora Erdman, finishing second in 1:15:46. The RBVIYC noted it was “great to see a couple of monohulls match racing their way to the Willy T, with Emme clinching the win for the second year in a row,” underscoring the close, spirited competition.
Dinghies provided plenty of excitement and showcased the next generation of sailors. Jake Richardson took the overall dinghy win in an ILCA4. Among first-timers — sailors who completed their first Willy T voyage and are celebrated in the Virgin’s Cup — Charlotte Branfield stood out as the first “virgin” in an ILCA6.
RBVIYC offered a special shout-out to first-time Willy T sailors Alex, Sophia, Saskia, Maggie, Dee, Laura, Kit and Charlotte for sailing safely to and from the venue. Notable dinghy placings included: Jake Richardson — ILCA4 (overall dinghy winner) Charlotte Branfield — ILCA6 (1st Virgin’s Cup, dinghy) Alex Wells — ILCA6 Maggie & Dee Nolan — RS Feva (2nd in Virgin’s Cup) Tom Merrigan — ILCA4 Laura & Kit Arton — RS Feva (3rd Virgin’s Cup) Rhiannon Jones — ILCA6 Sophia Peppard & Saskia — RS Feva Youth instructors Susan Harney and Carmen De Vette were also recognised for their roles supporting junior sailors.
The RBVIYC praised the safe, spirited performances and highlighted the event’s continuing role in promoting sailing skills and waterfront participation among residents and visitors alike — a reminder of how yacht racing supports community life and tourism across the Territory.
Primary source: VINO