Ages of the Rolex sailors run the gamut from minors to masters, and certainly there are many who come back year after year, making it a family tradition to compete. Eight-year-old Kai Holmberg sailed for his first time last year with his father John, a long-time participant and past winner of the Rolex. Kaiis future as a sailing champion may be pre-ordained, as his father, uncle, grandfathers and grandmother all are either national, world, Olympic or Americais Cup champions. At the other end of the age spectrum is John Foster, who has not missed an International Rolex Regatta yet and has two Rolex watches to show for his prowess on the water.

The Holmbergs and John Foster are locals, but there are plenty of "imports" who have made their names at this regatta over the years. One of them is Carlo Falcone, owner of several hotels in Antigua, who has both a modern and a classic race boat. Which one he enters--Caccia ala Volpe or Mariella, respectively-- depends on his mood. Coming from farther afield is Clive Llewellyn, who resides in Paris and typically sails his 50-footer over from the Mediterranean to compete in all the Caribbean sailing events that, when strung together, can keep a hard-core, fun-loving racer occupied in the islands for the better part of two months.

Several veteran competitors have homes in the states and the islands, one of them being Bill Alcott of Detroit, Michigan, who owns the 68-foot yacht Equation. He counts the International Rolex Regatta, in which he has competed numerous times, as "one of the highlights of my life and love of competition and the sea--I wouldn't miss it for the world." Another is Steve DeVoe, a financial trader who lives in Greenwich, Conn., sailing summers in Newport, R.I., and wintering in the Caribbean. He owns DeVocean, a Swan 45, considered one of the most luxurious, finely crafted sailboats on the market today.

While most of the yachts berth or anchor (or rest on the beach, as is the case with a small group of Beach Cats) on or near St. Thomas Yacht Clubis watery backyard of Cowpet Bay, there is a push to attract larger yachts this year, and this will mean the posh new Yacht Haven Grande Marina in Charlotte Amalie is in position to become a second home to any boats that want first-class facilities. The marina is an exclusive window onto the luxury world of super yachts.

The Ritz Carlton will pull out all the stops when it hosts the A.H. Riise party for VIPs and regatta organizers. The party is attended by family members of A.H. Riise, the official retailer of Rolex watches in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Islands' oldest and largest retailer of duty-free luxury merchandise. Rolex is synonymous with luxury and excellence in sport, sponsoring some of the most revered grand prix sailboat racing events in the world. The International Rolex Regatta is the oldest regatta in the company's portfolio and considered one of the most "casually elegant."

After racing, beachside social activities blend St. Thomas Yacht Club's island-style hospitality with the outstanding camaraderie and competition that hundreds of participants have come to expect each year.

For more information, visit www.rolexcupregatta.com.