The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

AGRICULTURE Minister V Alfred Gray yesterday announced the launch of the first ever Sir Durward Knowles National Invitational Junior Sailing Regatta, scheduled to take place during the Easter holiday weekend in George Town, Exuma. 

Mr Gray said, due to the increasing popularity of the junior sailing races, which typically take place during the National Family Island Regatta at the end of April, he and members of the National Family Island Regatta Committee and other various junior sailing clubs,saw fit to give junior sailing race dates that are "separate and apart from" the main event.

Doing so, he said, would cause there to be an increased focus on the junior sailors, as well as allow for a larger number of young persons to participate in the event.

As such, Mr Gray said his ministry has allocated some $25,000 to sponsor young sailors from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera, Long Island, and Exuma to participate in the new regatta, which he said will result in a "positive outcome" for the future of the sport. 

"From these events our youth sailors will benefit in many ways, namely building stamina, instilling self-confidence, exposure to the various techniques of sailing, and fostering of camaraderie, with other positive young people in the sport," Mr Gray said at a press conference at the Ministry of Agriculture. 

"With initiatives such as this, the National Junior Sailing Regatta and the involvement of the internationally renowned 'Star Sailors' League, sailing in the Bahamas is definitely on the right track that will certainly result in international recognition and exposure in the sailing arena."

Mr Gray also said his ministry will slot the event on the annual regatta calendar of events so that it takes place each Easter, with the aim of hosting it throughout the various Family Islands. 

"This renewed focus and investment in our youth will witness in future years I believe, the Bahamas entering a sailing team, in the Olympic games," Mr Gray said. "This is our aim, not only to build our tradition of sloop sailing, but to display our skills on the international stage, in time to come.

"I would like to encourage all Bahamians therefore, to support this event generously this year, as we strive to build the character of our young sailors, and in doing so, ensure the continuity of the great heritage and tradition of sloop sailing in the Bahamas."

Mr Gray said the event will be held on March 25-28.

Danny Strachan, Chairman and Commodore of the National Family Island Regatta Committee, also announced that the 63rd National Family Island Regatta will take place on April 26-30 in George Town, Exuma. 

Mr Strachan said the regatta, which will be held under the theme "Focusing On Our Youth," will honour three individuals: Sheldon Gibson from Crooked Island; Effort Kemp from Black Point; and Steve Smith from Staniel Cay, Exuma, for their contributions to the sustainability of of the event.