Web Posted - Fri Jun 11 2004

Many intriguing battles can be expected this weekend when the island’s top sailors go in search of the titles up for grabs in the 21st Annual Harris Paints Regatta.

The eagerly awaited two-day regatta gets on the way in Carlisle Bay tomorrow, when two races will be contested, while one race is slated for the final day on Sunday.

Plans for the sailing spectacular were announced by Peter Burke of the Barbados Sailing Association at the Bay Street Yacht Club yesterday, when the prizes were also handed over to the organisers of the regatta.

Burke said that the regatta will be contested ion three classes – Racing Class, Cruising Class and Lasers, the latter class included for the first time.

“Ninja”, sailed by Shane Atwell, will be in search of a three-peat as it returns to defend the championship. “Ninja” won its first Harris Paints Racing Class championship in 2002, and successfully defended the title last year. However, “Ninja” will be under attack from “Bruggadung 11” which will have the experienced Andrew Burke as tactician. Burke has returned to sail with “Bruggadung 11” after sailing the boat “Countdown” to six consecutive championships from 1991 – 1996. However, “Countdown” has not been sailed in competition for sometime. Also in search of the Racing Class championship with will be “Blazin” sailed by Peter Burke, and the newcomer “Whistler” sailed by Peter Lewis.

Much attention will be focused on the Cruising Class as fans will closely follow the match-up between “No Compromise” and “Jump-Up” which both sailed exceptionally well in the recent Mount Gay Rum/Boatyard Regatta, winning their respective classes. “No Compromise” skippered by the veteran Bill Tempro retained the Cruising Class “A” championship unbeaten in the Mount Gay Rum/Boatyard regatta.

Jerome Reid’s “Jump-Up” suffered on defeat in retaining the Cruising Class “B” championship in the Mount Gay Rum/Boatyard regatta.

However, they will be facing serious opposition this weekend from Ron Hunt’s “Jay Star”, “Gypsy Knat” sailed by Mark Grannum, as well as from “Su”, “Mo Guffy” and “Sheherazade”.

Spearheading the challenge in the Laser Class will be Russell Streeter, Charlie Gloumeau and Cyril Lacrenay. Streeter who will shortly be going to Germany to compete in the Kiel Week championships – one of the biggest sailing events in Europe.

Gloumeau and Lacrenay will be going to Tortola to compete in the Caribbean Dinghy championships to be held over the first weekend in July.

Johnson said that the fleet may be small, but he assured that there will be high quality racing over the weekend judging from the performances of the boats in the Mount Gay Rum/Boatyard regatta.

Caribbean

Caribbean Sailing

He also took time to point out that the clash between “No Compromise” and “Jump Up” will be something to look forward to.

The first race tomorrow will start in Carlisle Bay and boats will race up the South coast to St. Lawrence before returning to finish with triangle-sausage-triangle in carlisle Bay.

The second race, starting approximately 15 minutes after the conclusion of the first race will be over a triangular-sausage course also in Carlisle Bay. The final race on Sunday will be over a triangular course in Carlisle Bay, and is set to commence at 10 a.m.

Compliments of the Barbados Advocate

Web Posted - Wed Jun 16 2004

Skipper Ralph Johnson, ably assisted by his crew aboard “Bruggadung II”, out-sailed an impressive fleet to carry off overall Racing Class honours in the last weekend’s Harris Paints Regatta.
“Bruggadung II”, with veteran tactician Andrew Burke back on board, further stamped its authority in local circuit, sailing unbeaten in the two-day event which was very keenly contested.

Other outstanding boats in the regatta was “No Compromise”, which was also unbeaten over the two days, to continue on its unbeaten run from the recent Mount Gay Rum/Boatyard.

Quite an interesting battle ensued between in the Laser Class with Russell Streeter coming to grips with conditions to get the better of the opposition.

Skipper Johnson gave clear indications of his intentions from first day, winning both races in the Racing Class, sailing in average conditions.

BARBADOS