Web Posted - Fri May 28 2004

LOCAL yachtsmen will face one of their greatest challenges in the 19th annual Mount Gay Rum Regatta which gets under way in Carlisle Bay today, with the first race slated for 10 a.m. Presented in association with the Boatyard, the eagerly awaited regatta will be contested in four classes, including, for the first time, a Multi-Hull Class.
The three-day event will consist of two races each day, with prizes presented at the end of each day’s sailing, while the major awards function comes off on Sunday afternoon at the Boatyard.

The Bajans will be up against a strong contingent from Trinidad and Tobago, and will be seeking to bring an end to Trinis’ recent string of successes recorded this year on the regional circuit.

“Guardian Star”, sailed by Paul Amon and Tim Kimpton from Trinidad, will be returning to defend the Racing Class championship which this year promises to be very hotly disputed.

Runner-up this year in the Tobago Regatta, “Guardian Star”, a First Class 10 Modified, is one of seven boats from Trinidad in search of Racing Class honours.

Also from Trinidad competing in the Racing Class will be “Enzyme”, a Henderson 30 sailed by Paul Solomon; Mike Rostant’s “Pressure”; “Bachannal Woman” with Peter Knox and Donald Stollmyer; Dougie Myers’ “Legacy” which was second at Antigua Sailing Week and third in Tobago this year; Justin Castagne’s “Brute Force” a J 35; newcomer “Super Goose”, a Melgers 24 owned by Stephen Bushe and which is competing for the first time and “Su”.

Also coming from Trinidad is Paul Barrow’s “Petit Careme”, a Beneteau 38 which was the winner in Tobago this year. “Petit Careme”, however, will compete in Cruising Class A.

Barbados’ main hopes in the regatta will be “Ninja”, which according to crew member Shane DeFreitas ... “Its well prepared and coming to teach the Trinis a thing or two”. Much will also be expected of local boat “Bruggadung 11” which has sailed successfully over the years under command of its owner Ralph Johnson. However, in this regatta “Bruggadung 11” will have the experienced skipper Andrew Burke as its driver.

Not to be overlooked is “Blazin” which, sailed by Peter Burke, has been recording some success and should be in the thick of things.

Rounding off the local boats coming under starters orders in the Racing Class will be “Whistler”, a J 105 sailed by Peter Lewis.

Among the local boats taking on “Petit Careme” in Cruising Class A will be “No Compromise” owned by Allan Evelyn and Peter Douglas. A Dubois 34, “No Compromise” with Bill Tempro as skipper finished third last year. Tempro will be skipper again this year and will be hoping for an improved performance.

Other local boats taking part will be Ron Hunte’s “Jay Star”, “Mo’Guffy” sailed by Steve Inniss, “Jynx” with Don Jeffers, Tommy Gatcliffe’s “Sea Wyf”.

Caribbean

Caribbean Sailing

Winner of Cruising Class B last year, “Jump-Up”, owned and sailed by Jerome Reid, will be returning to defend the championship.

However, “Jump-Up” can expect very tough opposition from Dave Chairner’s “Ten-Seven”, “Su” sailed by Tony Hoad/Allan Taylor, Barry Smith’s Roberts 34 “Sheharazade”; Mark Grannum’s “Gypsy Knat, a North Star 1000, and Stephen Parke’s Exisle a Starlight 30.

In the Multi-Hall Class much attention will be on Robert Pvey’s “Silver Bullet”. Formerly owned by “Bizzy” Williams, Silver “Bullet” holds the record for the round the island race.

Also competing will be Peter Milne’s “Firefly”, Johnny Tempro’s “Cat-O-Nine” and “Why Not” sailed by Ronnie “Go Fast” Williams.

The Mount Gay Rum/Boatyard Regatta starts with short courses today as well as tomorrow. However, on Sunday, the final day boats will compete on a long course, the last of five races overall, to determine the winners in the respective categories.

Peter Burke of the Barbados Sailing Association disclosed plans for the regatta at a Press conference at the Boatyard on Wednesday.

Also attending were Ralph Johnson and Renata Goodridge of the local association and Mount Gay’s Paula Walcott.

Compliments of Barbados Advocate

The 21st Annual Harris Paints Regatta.
The eagerly awaited two-day regatta gets on the way in Carlisle Bay on June 19, 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. Read more

Compliments of the Barbados Advocate

BARBADOS