Bahamas News

The Government All for One Regatta came to an end on Sunday at Montague Bay with the Red Stripe winning the A-Class while Cobra took the B-Class and Chris Sands won the Optimist event. On, Saturday Irene Goodnight clinched the C-Class title.

On Monday night at the Ministry of Youth and Sports the awards presentation took place, resulting on smiles from the winners and the runner-ups as they collected their earnings. Minister of State for Youth and Sports, Hon. Byran Woodside said he is extremely please with the overall performance of the organizing committee in making the regatta successful.

“The Ministry placed the theme on this ‘All For One Regatta’ season, “Sailing 2008- Strengthened, Fortified and Unified.” Those are some serious words”, said Woodside. “The Bahamian people have strengthened up to go forward in making this regatta season the most successful one ever seen.

“They are fortified in going forward with no looking back and being unified coming together as untied they stand. Divided they fall.

“With the Farmers Cay Exuma Regatta coming up, I am expecting the participation of many skippers and the Bahamian people. Then we move on to Long Island, Cat Island and Acklins,” said Woodside. The Red Stripe owned by Sheldon Gibson and skippered by Lundy Robinson took home the top prize of $2,000.00 in the A-Class with the Bahamar Boat of the Year Good News placing second and garnering $1,700.00. Pieces of Eight placed third for $1,400.00 and the Ana Nicole rounded out in fourth and got $1,100.00. Gibson said this time he sat back and allowed the younger guys to take command of the boat and they were indeed successful.

“This is the first time I really had the chance to see the Red Stripe sailing and she looked beautiful on the water. “Red Stripe will sail at the “Catch Me If You Can Regatta” slated for February and we are again looking for success there. “Red Stripe, having already won Boat of the Year before, was out of action last year so we concentrated on the Silent Partner. This year is different and we will win”, said Gibson.

Lee Armstrong skipper of the 2007 Boat of the Year, the Good News, said the race was successful on Sunday and he is quite confident that there will be success at the end of the year.

“The Red Stripe got a better start on us on Sunday and because of the weather we only sailed one race, giving them the victory but come “Catch Me If You Can Regatta” the results will be a lot different” said Armstrong
In the B- Class the Cobra took the top prize of $1,700.00, with the Eudeva placing second for $1,400.00, the Ant’s Nest third and winning $1,100.00 and Ansbacher Queen fourth for $800.00.

Cobra owner Dwanye Higgins said the races went “okay in their favor on Saturday” as they were able to pull of two first places. On Sunday they ran into some difficulties and finished third, but still took the overall prize.
“I was extremely happy to have my father Jacob Higgins out there to watch the boat sail as he has always been there to give us pointers and good ideas as to what needs to happen.

“We are planning on having a very positive and productive season. We are heading into George Town to bring the championship back and from there we will compete in all of the regattas” said Higgins
He said with this being the first points producer for Boat of the Year, he believes the Cobra can continue on the right track and win although the B-Class is a very competitive.

The Optimist boats headed by Jimmy Lowe also got in some action during the Regatta as a part of their youth development programme.

Chris Sands won with Michael Gibson and Bruce Hall taking second and third respectively.

Source: Bahama Journal