The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@trbunemedia.net

DESPITE the inclement weather in picturesque Elizabeth Harbour, Georgetown, Exuma, the 59th National Family Island Regatta saw a dominating performance from the Exuma-based boats, including co-honouree Leslie 'Buzzy' Rolle and his Lady Sonia B Class boat.

Rolle, a native of Georgetown, was also named the best skipper of the regatta after his Lady Sonia easily pulled off a hard fought victory over the Lonesome Dove.

The Lady Sonia was joined by the Lady Muriel from Staniel Cay, skippered by Steve Smith, and the Lady Eunice out of Black Point, Exuma, skippered by Morris Rolle, who took the A and C Class titles respectively.

"It was extremely successful, given the fact that we had a little challenge with the weather, but the weather held up so we could get all of our races in," said Danny Strachan, chairman of the regatta committee.

"Everything just went extremely well. People came down despite the fact that it is a political year. People came down and supported the event so everybody should have made some money this weekend."

Based on what he witnessed, Strachan said everybody, including the vendors and the hotel operators, all should have made some significant money over the week's extravaganza.

"We had some exciting races and so I'm very pleased with the way things worked out," Strachan said. "The competition was very stiff. We had keen competition in all the classes - A, B, C and D classes. It was keen competition throughout even though we had one boat in Class B. The Lady Sonia dominated the B Class, winning two out of the three races and coming second in the other one. So that bodes very well for the event. It was very competitive. Everybody had to fight right to the end in all of the classes to win."

Rolle, who also owns the Bulla Reg, was honoured along with Mark Knowles of Mangrove Bush, Long Island. Both men were credited for the role they played in the building of sloop boats over the years.

With the oldest regatta in the country turning 60 years next year, Strachan said they are already looking at formulating some plans to increase the level of enthusiasm for all, including the spectators and the sailors.

"We want to construct a proper regatta village in Exuma at the site," Strachan said. "We are going to work with the government and improve on the things that we have in place for next year."

One significant aspect of the regatta was the fact that the Lady Eunice was able to honour Vincent Wright. He was the owner of the boat and his goal was to win a title before he died last year.

A total of 52 boats participated in the regatta, slightly down from the average of 60 boats contested on a yearly basis.

Strachan said even though some of the boat owners expressed how difficult it was to make the trek to Exuma because of the tough economic times, they were still pleased with the amount of boats that participated.

In the A Class, the Ruff Justice from Long Island completed the regatta by winning the final race but a third place by the Lady M enabled her to keep the title in Exuma. The Lady Muriel accumulated 21 points, the Tida Wave got second with 17 and the Red Stripe was third with 15. Ruff Justice had to settle for fourth and the Good News rounded out the top five.

In the B Class, the Lonesome Dove snapped a clean sweep by the Lady Sonia to win the final race on Saturday. But Lady Sonia's second place gave her sufficient points to still claim the national title with 29, just two points ahead of the Lonesome Dove, who trailed with 27. The Eudeva ended up third with 23 points. Queen Drucilla got fourth.

In the C Class, the Lady Eunice won over the H2O. The Termite got third.

Up next on the sailing calendar is the Long Island Regatta in Salt Pond next month.