The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT has been almost a year since he died, but the memory of the late King Eric Gibson is still living on.

The Rev Dr Philip McPhee, one of his close friends, has helped to organise the Rock Sound Regatta this weekend in Eleuthera, which will pay tribute to the former commodore of the Bahamas Sailing Association.

Over the weekend during a fund-raiser at Montagu Beach, the organising committee hosted a sail-off to determine the 12 C Class boats that will travel to Eleuthera to compete in the four-race series.

“Twenty-one years ago, King Eric and myself went to Eleuthera to try and put this regatta on,” McPhee said. “And twenty-one years later, it’s finally going to come to fruition and we are very grateful that the local committee has selected King Eric in his memory to have the regatta held in his honour.

“King Eric wanted this regatta to happen and it took a long time for it to happen, but we are grateful that this committee has seen fit to honour and recognise King Eric for the great work that he did while he was with us and we don’t ever want his name to die in sloop sailing.”

After staging a competitive sail -off over the weekend in Montagu, McPhee said they are looking forward to a great regatta in Rock Sound, thanks to the hard work that has been put in by chairman Samantha Campbell and her committee members.

“We also want to thank the Government of the Bahamas, Prime Minister Perry Christie, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries V Alfred Gray, for giving a substantial amount of money to ensure the success of this particular event.

“And then we want to thank the Gibson family, led by Shane Gibson, the Minister of Labour and National Insurance, who continue to be a part of carrying on the tradition and the legacy of his father. They too will make a financial blessing to this regatta in honour of their father.”

At the end of the sail off, the Whitty K emerged victorious over the Lady Eunice, followed by the Thunderbird. Those three boats will headline the list of boats heading to Rock Sound. Among the others joining them as a result of their performances in the sail off are the Melba B, Two Friends, Dream Girl, Miss Lizza, Leathal Weapon, San Sally, Lady Ruthnell and the Sweet Island Gal.

“It was a very successful event with nine boats competing,” McPhee noted. “We are expecting 12 boats to be in Rock Sound this weekend for the actual regatta

On Monday, the winners were presented with their awards. Among those present were Ministers Gray, Gibson and Gomez, who all gave their blessing for the regatta.

“We’re looking to have thousands go down this weekend for the regatta,” McPhee predicted.

The boats will be placed on the barge today, starting at 10 am on Potter’s Cay dock to be transported to Rock Sound on Thursday. Interested persons wishing to travel on the barge should note that it will depart Potter’s Cay dock at 11 am on Thursday.

During the climax of the regatta, McPhee said there will be a Cup race held in honor of Member of Parliament, Damian Gomez. The race will call for a resident of Rock Sound to sail on one of the Class C boats.

“we want to give an incentive to the people of Rock Sound to get their feet wet and to get involved in sloop sailing,” McPhee said. “Hopefully, next year we can have at least one boat from Rock Sound. They can either go and build or buy a boat to include in the regatta next year.”

McPhee, who also serves as a consultant in the Ministry of Local Government for regattas, said once they would have completed the first Rock Sound Regatta, their attention will be directed to helping to get a regatta for West End in Grand Bahama and Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera.