Top skippers and sailors from around the country are getting set for the 17th annual Grand Bahama Regatta, and the much anticipated series of races that will be held in the three classes (A, B and C). The regatta will take place next weekend in Freeport, Grand Bahama. It was originally pegged for August 24-27, but was postponed due to Hurricane Irene, which proved to be a good thing as financial support and participation has increased since the event was rescheduled.
It was confirmed by organizer Rev. Phillip McPhee that after corporate sponsors SkyBahamas Airlines and Bahamas Oil Refining Company International Limited (BORCO) came on board, many others followed suit, giving the skippers and sailors more to compete for prizes in the respective classes.
"The regatta was first postponed because of the hurricane and after the storm, the cargo boat that is used by us to carry the sloops was used to ship supplies to the Family Islands that were damaged, so we pushed the regatta back," said McPhee.
"But the regatta will take place and it will be bigger than we have planned. So we are excited about the whole event. We have more financial support and more boats are going now. A lot of people are also interested in attending even though school will be open already. We are really pushing it to ensure that we have [a] great success. We are so thankful that Sky Bahamas Limited has given us that good discount for the regatta [and as a result] more people are making preparation to go and be a part of the regatta."
Every class will have three cup races. The C-Class will have four cup races. McPhee said the committee is now in discussions to have four races in the other divisions as well. SkyBahamas Airlines will sponsor the C-Class, which will host McPhee's Asue W.G. Thunderbird, Lady Eunice, Sweet Island Gal, Dream Girl, Crazy Partner, Jacob's Ladder and several others.
Boats expected to sail in the A-Class are the Red Stripe, the Lucayan Lady/Anna Nicole, the Good News, the Courageous and the Southern Cross. The B-Class will include: Eudeva, the Cobra, Queen Drucilla, Six Sisters, Passion, Ant's Nest and the Lady Sonia. He said: "That will prove that this is a real rebirth in sailing. This is a new day for sailing where we will bring back the good old days when it comes to sloop racing. We haven't seen those days in many years. We are now beginning to feel and see the spirit of the sport coming back. Sloop sailing is a way to connect and bridge our people together.
"We are also using this as an incentive to assist the islands that were hurt by the hurricane. Some plans are now on the way and we have had discussions about the kind of assistance we will render. That's what we like to do, even if everyone has to donate can goods and food. A little help goes a long way, and the sailing community would like to do their part," McPhee added.
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