ASA events provide time to relax as well as learn.
FEATURE STORY
continued from page 3
Day 4, Big Dinner at the Bitter End
Van Dyke. A spinnaker would have been handy to have
here. The anchorage at Great Harbor slowly filled
With a full day to explore the sound, flotilla members
throughout the day. Since no moorings were available,
were able to rent a small catamaran, explore the yacht
anchoring skills were put to the test on a hard bottom.
club and its surroundings, or just enjoy the serenity of a
Many boats took more than one try to set the hook
calm anchorage. The free ferry service made it easy to
securely. Fortunately, after the sun went down, the wind
explore such treasures as Gun Creek.
also quieted. Ali Baba’s and Foxy’s restaurants on the
beach served fine food with Foxy’s providing live music
That night, the Bitter End Yacht Club hosted a fantastic
until midnight.
buffet dinner that featured island specialties. The live
entertainment got the crowd dancing under a bright
moon.
Day 7, Threading the Needle
to Norman Island
Day 5, Race to Anegada Island
Careful navigation was required to safely pass through
A parade of boats left the sound early in the morning
the Thatch Island Cut between Tortola Island and the
amid perfect sailing weather on the 005º magnetic
Thatch Islands. Currents of up to a knot and a half are
course to Anegada Island, 11 miles away. It was a fast
common. Once through, however, a day stop at Soper’s
reach under scudding clouds, but the island wasn’t
Hole afforded the opportunity for some shopping at the
visible until it was within a few miles because the
Pusser’s Store and the last opportunity to re-provision.
highest point is no more than 26 feet above sea level.
Once the boats threaded the needle into the anchorage,
Another easy ride led to The Bight at Norman Island.
they were greeted by a pond-smooth bay with great
The bay was filled with moorings that provided enough
holding for anchors. On the idyllic island beach were
room for everyone. Adventurous snorkelers explored the
bars and restaurants serving the lobster dinner specialty
nearby caves at Treasure Point. The last ASA sponsored
for which the island is famous.
event was a treasure hunt on the beach that featured a
buried pirate’s chest containing the prizes. Dinner at the
Day 6, Downhill Run to Jost Van Dyke
beach bar was followed by drinks and dancing on the
William Thorton (or Willie T) bar/restaurant boat.
The “Christmas Winds” gave the fleet a sleigh ride run
amid intermittent rain showers to the next island, Jost continued on page 10
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