The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The restoration efforts from the effects of Hurricane Matthew have presented several challenges for the organisers of the Snipe World Championships Masters. However, the event continues this week at the Royal Nassau Sailing Club.

According to Regatta Chairman George Kelly, inclement weather has just been one of the limitations that have restricted the series to just one race in the last two days.

“Over the last 10 days we have had lots of challenges but it has been an amazing effort from everyone involved for us to be able to pull through. After Matthew we had no dock, we had about 30 inches of water in the place, we had to replace all the refrigeration systems, one of our snack bars demolished, among other things. We had just 10 days to turn everything around and we’re doing the best we can,” he said.

The leaders of the field following the opening race are Ralph Rosa (Skipper) and Alfredo Rovere (Crew) of Brazil.

According to a press release issued by the organisation Per the SCIRA rules, the Snipe World Masters cannot be raced in winds greater than 15 knots. “That has been a challenge this week with the tropical disturbances teasing our area. The fleet was able to get one race in Tuesday morning. During the race, wind speed is constantly measured from the committee boat with a handheld device. There were tense moments for Fernando de Cardenas, the primary race officer, when the wind speeds inched close to 15 knots when measured to the tenth of a knot. Tuesday afternoon and yesterday races were postponed due to high winds. Forecasts call for lower wind speeds for the remainder of the week so the race committee hopes to be able to hold six more races as scheduled.”

With calmer winds expected, the regatta will continue 10:30am today with two races on the schedule. The same format will follow Friday to determine seeding headed into the final race day on Saturday.

Approximately 70 competitors and staff are taking part in the event.

“They’re quite amazed that we have still been able to do it and we have been amazed and grateful that we could go ahead and do it. It has really been a great experience thus far and would have been a real disaster if we had to cancel. Miami did offer to take it, we considered that but we just thought that the people really want to visit the Bahamas and compete in our waters,” Kelly said. “So far even though we have only had one race, it was a good race and we had a nice clean start, which for the first race is unusual. We also got the juniors involved and led out the countries in the opening ceremonies. It gives them something to aim for and one day they’ll be in that similar position representing the Bahamas.”

In addition to this year’s Snipe Masters, the Bahamas has become a sought after venue for many international events in the sport, including the Star Sailors League Final and 5.5 World Championships.

“It’s always good for the Bahamas to have these events. We have some of the best waters in the world and we should have boats on the water every week. Star Sailors League will be here in November going through with their plans although the Yacht Club is in the same position as we were and their docks are being rebuilt. Also, the 5.5 World Championships will be here in January in 2017,” Kelley said. “The more the Bahamas does the more we’re known around the world in this sport.”

Nine countries are represented at the event. The Bahamas has a trio of boats in the fleet, including Jimmie (skipper) and Lori Lowe (crew), Robert Dunkley (skipper) and Michelle Lakin (crew) and Gavin McKinney (skipper) and Adam Moorman (crew).

Skipper Oscar Gonzalez Urquia from Argentina is the oldest competitor at 85. Skipper Terry Timm from the United States of America is the second oldest. Crewing for Timm is Bahamian junior sailor Brandon Sands from the settlement of Cherokee Sound in Abaco.

The Snipe, a one design boat, became official in 1931.  Despite class having non-Olympic status, it remains strong with 31 active Snipe countries and over 30,800 boats having been built.

The Masters World Championship, where the Id Crook Memorial Trophy is awarded to the winning skipper and crew, is held every two years in even numbered years. It was opened to boats where the skipper had to be at least 50 years of age in the year of the regatta and the combined age of skipper and crew had to  be at least 80 years in the year of the regatta.