Wanda Macon, of Jackson, Mississippi, is in love with The Bahamas. Macon was enjoying the first ever Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Regatta on Friday. She's been visiting the islands since the 1980s.

"There is no place like it," she said. "I think this is the land that God kissed. I think this is the land of Eden. I love the people. I love the food. I love watching regattas. You can't get the regattas like this at home. It's really good to come here and have that kind of experience. It's really interesting to see the sailboats so close. I like to the see the sails. There is something about sails on water that is calming, that is refreshing, and that's sort of disengaging."

The weather was perfect for the second day of races. The seven participants raced on a 12-mile course set up in Nassau Harbour. Dennis Smith of Blackpoint, Exuma won Friday's race aboard the 'Lady Eunice'.

"We had a pretty good race out there," said Smith, who has been sailing for 20 years. "I would say hats off to my crew. We did a tremendous job in the first Junkanoo Carnival regatta. The course was excellent. We couldn't ask for a better day of sailing."

Jeffrey McKenzie on 'Keep Your Eyes on Him' placed second, Rev. Philip McPhee's 'Sun Splash Thunderbird' came third, Derrick Miller aboard 'Flash' placed fourth, David Rolle on 'Dream Girl' came fifth, Richard Ross aboard 'Revelation 3:18' came sixth and Kevin Moxey and 'San Sally' finished seventh.

Noelle Allon of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, and her son Aurey were also enjoying the sailing on Friday. They were on a Carnival cruise line.

"It's beautiful," she said. "This is my first time and I absolutely love it and I will be back."

Plans are in the works to continue the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Regatta on an annual basis, expanding it from year to year.

Travis Cartwright-Carroll, Nassau Guardian

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