The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SPORTING icon and philanthropist Sir Durward ‘Sea Wolf’ Knowles is throwing his support behind the first King Eric Gibson All-For-One Regatta in Montagu Bay this weekend.

Knowles, who along with Gibson were the key architects in the formation of the regatta, has made a donation of $5,000 to the organising committee, according to Rev Dr Philip McPhee.

McPhee, a consultant to the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government, said Knowles just wanted to continue to contribute to regattas as he has done to just about every one held in the country.

But McPhee said the contribution to the All-For-One Regatta is a special one because of his long-time relationship that he developed with the late Gibson, who died on December 28, 2013.

“Sir Durward Knowles was responsible for the starting of the All-For-One Regatta with King Eric and Stafford (Armbrister) and a whole lot of us and as you are well aware, Sir Durward is a Bahamian who has given his support to anything Bahamian,” McPhee said.

“In fact, Sir Durward was the organiser of One Bahamas and he was a very close and personal friend of King Eric. He called me and said he would want to support this regatta this weekend in a very personal way as usual because he has given to every regatta that takes place in this country in some way, form or fashion.”

On behalf of V Alfred Gray, minister of agriculture and local government, the committee members of the regatta and the boat owners and sailors, McPhee expressed thanks to Knowles for his continued support.

“We look forward to using this donation in a very positive way that the sailors in Nassau and throughout the Bahamas will truly benefit from it,” McPhee said. “So we say thank you and God bless you.”

The regatta, comprising of boats competing in the A, B and C classes from throughout the country, is scheduled to begin 10am Saturday. Competition is slated to continue on Sunday and wrap up on Monday.

The opening ceremonies are set for 1pm Saturday and the closing ceremony will be on Monday, immediately following the final race. The awards presentation is set for 7pm Tuesday (January 13) at Bahama Grill, West Bay Street.