The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MARK the date down: February 17-18 for the staging of the 31st "Catch Me If You Can St Valentine's Massacre" when "love will be in the air" on Montagu Bay.

Organiser Eleazor 'the Sailing Barber' Johnson said this year's event will be a little different than the past in that there will be only competition for the A class boats when the event gets started on Saturday's opening day.

But he said the focus will remain on Sunday's grand finale when his B class boat Lady in Red Lady Nathalie will again be given a head start over the A class boats and they will have to catch his boat before it crosses the finish line.

"The regatta is going to be a very big one even though we are only having the A class boats compete," said Johnson, the owner of the Lady Nathalie.

"The A class boats will provide a lot of competition because a lot of people want to see them compete."

Since starting the "Catch Me If You Can" aspect to the regatta, Johnson said his Lady Nathalie holds a 17-14 advantage over the A class boats, like the Red Stripe and the Courageous, who have caught his boat the most.

The Lady Nathalie, normally skippered by Clyde Rolle, was successful in crossing the line before she got caught last year. Johnson said he's looking forward to the trend continuing this year.

Race commodore Stafford Armbrister normally sets a 20-30 minute head start on the course for the Lady Nathalie.

Johnson said what makes this regatta so important is that it will be the last one held before the A class boats go to Georgetown, Exuma, to compete in the National Family Island Regatta in April, so it's good for them to get rigged and primed for the showdown.

"I understand that the Southern Cross will be coming out this year and she will be challenging the Running Tide," Johnson said. "So Lundy Robinson and the other A class boats will have to look out for the Southern Cross."

While there will be a lot of competition for the spectators to enjoy on the sea, Johnson said onshore will have a lot of activities as well as a number of stalls will be erected, but he want to encourage some of the straw vendors to come out and bring their products because there are tourists who normally frequent the regatta site and are looking for something Bahamian.

"We expect to see thousands of Bahamians and tourists coming out to watch the regatta," Johnson said. "This is the longest sailing event in Montagu and we will continue to hold it every year because we know tat the people look forward to coming out and participating in it."

As usual, Campari will be one of the major sponsors for the regatta. Johnson said he will announce the rest of the sponsors in the days leading up to the regatta.