The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

EVEN as icon Sir Durward 'Sea Wolf' Knowles is still making headlines at home long past his retirement, the sport of sailing continues to sail on with the distinguished performances from Mark Holowesko and Gavin McKinney.

One month after McKinney made history as the fifth Bahamian to win a 5.5 Metre Class world title, Holowesko improved on his runner-up position by winning the Régates Royales Cannes Trophée Panerai last week in Cannes, France.

McKinney, still celebrating his triumph over Holowesko at the International 5.5 Metre Class Association's 2017 World Championships in Benodet, France last month, opted not to compete in the latter championships.

Knowles, the pacesetter, must be sitting proudly at his home on the Eastern Road relishing in the continued success of the sport as he prepares to celebrate his 100th birthday next month and his achievement as the oldest living Olympic sailing gold medallist.

The sport has enjoyed its share of accomplishments from Knowles' exploits to those of three-time world champion Donnie Martinborough and now through the achievements of McKinney and Holowesko.

Just before his centenarian birthday bash on November 2, the sailing community will come together from both the Olympic style and traditional workboat competition to honour Knowles in a gigantic sailing regatta October 27-29 in Montagu Bay. One of the organisers is hoping that the Bahamas Government will eventually name the stretch of water from the sailing site along the eastern end the Sir Durward Knowles Harbour and his portrait placed on the $100 bill for his philanthropic contributions to the country.

At some point during the free-for-all regatta, either at the official opening or closing ceremonies, the organisers could also take the time out to heap their accolades on both McKinney and Holowesko for a job well done.

Many also believe that because of their impact on the local communities at regattas and homecomings, sailing should be deemed the national sport of the country over cricket, which is seldom played by as many Bahamians as they did in the past at Haynes Oval or Windsor Field.

That's a topic for debate at another time.

In the meantime, the Bahamas continues to rack up the recognition in other sports overseas, including golf, basketball, softball and tennis.

Robinson teeing off

Congrats to Devaughn Robinson, winner of his first title at the Greater Houston City Amateur Championships at the Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas, over the weekend.

Robinson, a 29-year-old mechanical designer for Valco Instruments living in Houston with his Grand Bahamian wife Fabricia Robinson, will be back in action this weekend in the United States Mid Amateur Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.

This could be a big breakthrough for the country if Robinson can emerge as the first Bahamian to win a major US amateur championship on the heels of his historic feat this past weekend.

Double trouble in Turkey

Most people were hoping to see Jonquel Jones and Waltiea Rolle going head-to-head in the Women's National Basketball Association in the United States.

But that could possibly come in Turkey as the two female professional players have taken their games to Europe in the aftermath of the WNBA Finals.

Both at 6-foot-6 and playing centre pose an intriguing match-up if it materialises in the coming weeks. But it will still be even more thrilling to see them matched against or alongside each other in the prestigious WNBA in the next year or so.

Next generation star

There have been quite a number of Bahamian children who follow in the footsteps of their parent(s) competing in the same sport on the international scene.

The latest is Kerrie Cartwright, the daughter of Sean Cartwright and Kim O'Kelly, former national men and women champions and long-time national team players and coaches.

The younger Cartwright has surged onto the women's tennis professional scene where she's putting in the mileage competing in Europe and the United States in singles and doubles on the International Tennis Federation's tour.

Could she be the first Bahamian female player to make the breakthrough competing on the women's top pro league around the world in the major tournaments like the Australian Open, Wimbledon, French and US Open?

Since Mark Knowles' retirement, there were a few players who attempted to follow in his footsteps.

Hopefully Cartwright will ascend to that level on the female side in the not-too-distant future.

Power of bright young

stars on the long ball

Last month, the men's national softball team returned home from the Dominican Republic having booked their ticket to the Central American and Caribbean Games, set for July 19-August 3 in Barranquilla, Colombia.

The team, managed by Perry Seymour, did it on the long ball power of two bright young stars in Sherman Ferguson and Grand Bahamian Desmond Russell.

Alcott Forbes was the workhorse for the pitching department that included Lyle Sawyer from Abaco and Thomas Davis and Martin Burrows.

But it's obvious that if the team is going to regain some of its prominence when he represented the country, Richard 'the Lion Heart' Johnson, who served as one of the two coaches on the team, will have to play as pivotal role in that area going forward.

The Bahamas Softball Federation, headed by Ted Miller, should be commended for becoming the first team sport to earn the rights to represent the Bahamas at the games.

Hopefully there will be others like volleyball and basketball to follow suit.

CONDOLENCES:

FAREWELL SPY

While we look forward to the improvement in the pitching department as a result of the efforts of Johnson, I want to take this time to remember the late Randy 'Spy' Gibson.

Many remember Gibson, who lost one of his eyes but he was still an outstanding pitcher who left his impression on the fast, moderate and slow-pitch leagues.

Gibson, 57, didn't have the ability to excel to compete on the international team but he was one of the top pitchers who was able to hold his own at the national level. May his soul rest in peace.