The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH sailing now declared the national sport of The Bahamas, the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs is ensuring that all entities, including the junior sailors, get the maximum support.

To that end, Minister Clay Sweeting announced yesterday that his ministry will showcase those 18 years and younger sailors in their Sir Durward Knowles National Junior Sailing Championships.

The event is scheduled for February 22-24 in Montagu Bay and will be a tribute to the late Sir Durward Knowles, a legendary pioneer in the sport who left his indelible mark on the sport, both as a competitor and a contributor.

“Sir Durward Knowles, a Bahamian icon and Olympic gold medallist, exemplified excellence in sailing and left an enduring mark on the world of maritime sailing.” Sweeting said.

“It is only fitting that we commemorate his contributions by hosting this national championships for junior sailors. Today, we witness the convergence of talent, dedication and the boundless enthusiasm of our young sailors who have come from all corners of our beautiful nation to compete for glory on the waves.”

This will be the first junior regatta since 2018, due to COVID-19.

In the past, it was staged in Exuma but Sweeting said they saw it fit to bring it back to New Providence this year. And they are seeking to look at another island location next year.

There’s expected to be at least 11 teams participating in the nationals from Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, Central Eleuthera, Long Island, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Hope Town, Abaco, the Royal Club of Nassau, the Bahamas Sail- ing Club, the Lyford Cay School and the CV Bethel Secondary High.

“I am advised that almost 200 children from various youth sailing clubs and schools will be competing in the Optis, Sunfish, Lasers and E-Class sloops,” Sweeting said.

Lori Lowe, the chairman of the National Sailing Association, said they are proud that the junior sailors, especially those competing in the E-class, will get their chance to shine on the national stage.

Like every international regatta, Lowe pointed out that the sailors will get a chance to compete in at least six races with the opportunity to discard their worst result.

All of the other points will be accumulated for their overall tally and final positions. “We are looking forward to the competition,” she said.

“The focus will be on the E-class because all of the other classes have their own nationals. But that doesn’t mean that they won’t be competitive. They will be there to complement the E-class.”

Dwayne Higgins, the assistant director of student development in the Ministry of Education, shared that while there are a number of schools they are targeting for sloop sailing in the island nation, only CV Bethel will be ready to compete in the nationals.

He said it’s their hope that by the time the next junior nationals is held next year, there will be a tremendous increase in the amount of schools participating in the competition.

Notwithstanding that, Higgins said the competition will be fierce as some of the competitors competing have just recently participated in Family Island regattas and they have fared very well in the E-class among their senior counterparts.

“So we expect that these young sailors will come out and compete very well against each other,” he stated. “We are looking forward to some very exciting

competition from all of them,” said Higgins.

For those who are concerned about the safety aspect, Sweeting said his ministry will be partnering with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the nurses and the teacher cadets to provide a wholesome environment for all involved.

Insurance is also provided for all of the participants.

The regatta will be broadcasted and live streamed, while there will be announcers providing play-by-play of all of the excitement as it unfolds on the water.

Among the onshore entertainment will be the Junkanoo groups from Lyford Cay, Government High and CV Bethel as the pop bands from Government High, CV Bethel and the RM Bailey Schools.

Cindy Gay, head of the Regatta Desk at the ministry, said it’s their aim, as projected by Minister Sweeting, to showcase the youthful talent available in the country, just as they did for the Best-of-the-Best Regatta that was held in December.

She noted that the entertainment will be one that everyone would enjoy and she encouraged the Bahamian public to come out and support the rising stars of The Bahamas as they showcase their skills.

Sweeting said it’s hoped that the Sir Durward Knowles National Championships will be a beacon for future champions, inspiring them to set sail towards new horizons with courage, determination and a love for the sea. “Let the winds of competition propel our youth towards greatness, and may the legacy of Sir Durward Knowles continue to inspire generations to come,” he summed up. “Fair winds and smooth seas to all participants. Let the championships begin.”