In an effort to raise funds for the upcoming Cat Island Regatta in July, the Cat Island Sailing Club Association will host the Godfrey Kelly C-Class Regatta January 30-31 at Montagu Bay. The regatta will feature some of the top C-Class sloops in the country such as Dream Girl, Sweet Island Gal, Jacob's Ladder, the Witty K and Catch Da Cat, which made it's debut last year.

"Although January is an unusual time for regattas, we in the association feel it's a good time to raise awareness for our major event this summer," said association president Patrick Strachan. "Aside from raising funds, we will also be honoring Godfrey Kelly, one of the founders of the regatta. He and Harold Christie founded it back in 1956.

"This is a special time for us. It's the second oldest regatta in the country and we're proud of that. We're doing more than just promoting regattas, we're going into the community and providing assistance and helping out families on the island. In addition to that, we have given eight scholarships to students from the island. We expect a good turnout from sailing fans around the island and expect some competitive action in the water at the end of January."

The fundraiser will feature all of the activities of a regular regatta, including three series races, live music and food from the stallholders from Cat Island. The association will stage its 60th annual regatta in New Bight, Cat Island from July 29 to August 1.

"The fundraiser will go hand in hand with some of the other things we usually do to raise funds including the boat cruise in Cat Island. This year is our Diamond Jubilee year and we have already had talks with a number sailors who are looking forward to the main event in July. We are very thankful that the regatta site wasn't damaged during the hurricane, so things can flow as planned. We will also be re-naming the Cat Island Sailing Club in New Bight to the Godfrey Kelly Sailing Club."

Kelly represented The Bahamas in sailing in four Olympic Games in the Dragon Class in 1960, 1964, 1968 and again in 1972. In Tokyo, Japan in 1964, Kelly became the first Bahamian in his class to win a race, the same year that Sir Durward "Sea Wolf" Knowles went on to win the Olympic gold medal when he teamed up with the late Cecil Cooke in the Star Class.

Last year, the association honored the late Harold "Herbert" Lamont King, one of the pioneers of the regatta.

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