The 28th Annual St. Valentine's Day Massacre took place last week at Montagu Bay, and many Bahamians and tourists braved the cool weather to watch the great Bahamian sport of sloop sailing, and the return of Bahamian sculling. The 'E' Class sloop sailing races began at 12 noon on Saturday February 14, and participating boats were Blue Bird, High Rock, Strong Back, Sands, Lucayan Tropical, Sands Light and Ole Faithful. Emerging victorious was Blue Bird, skippered by Steven Rolle, followed by High Rock, skippered by Corey Knowles. Placing third was the Strong Back, skippered by Clayton Bain, and the Sands sloop, skippered by Sheldon Gibson, ended up fourth.

On that Sunday, all roads led back to Montagu for the "Catch me if you Can" Race and the much anticipated first sculling races of the 2015 season. The sailing races started at 2 p.m. with Ed Sky, skippered by James Wallace, Running Tide, skippered by Martie Fox, Lady Nathalie, skippered by Clyde Rolle, Red Stripe, skippered by Lundy Robinson, Lady Muriel, skippered by Brooks Miller, Rupert's Legend, skippered by Don Knowles, Southern Cross, skippered by Joshua Green, and Good News, skippered by Wycliffe Albury, all setting sail.

With the race in progress, the crowd grew to see which skipper would emerge victorious. The Lady Nathalie was in the lead for most of the race when suddenly Ed Sky came out of nowhere to win with the Running Tide, Lady Nathalie and Red Stripe finishing second, third and fourth respectively.

The "Catch me if you Can" Race was a great appetizer, as all eyes turned to the shoreline to watch the Sands 'Man in The Boat' Sculling Race. After four heats, including an all-female heat, the top finishers were Luda Nester in first place, Steven Rolle in second place and Josh Green taking third.
According to the organizers, this year's regatta was extremely successful with thousands of spectators coming out to enjoy the weekend. The next stop for the Sands 'Man in the Boat' Sculling Race will be in beautiful Elizabeth's Harbour, George Town, Exuma, at the National Family Island Regatta in April.

The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage team has been working tirelessly to revitalize the sport of sculling here in The Bahamas and the success of the St. Valentine's sculling races is proof that their efforts are working. The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage team hopes to see a number of sailing enthusiasts at the next sculling race, and encourages all to visit them on Facebook to see sculling photos, and to try their hand at sculling.

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