The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

A pair of regattas received a boost to their fundraising and preparation efforts courtesy of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Minister V Alfred Gray made contributions to both the Cat Island and Grand Bahama Regattas slated for this summer.

The Cat Island Regatta, hosted July 29-August 1 in New Bight, Cat Island, will receive $35,000 while the Grand Bahama Regatta, hosted July 22-24 on Taino Beach, Grand Bahama will receive $28,000.

“It is important for you to know you have the government’s support,” Minister Gray said. “The Prime Minister has increased the budget this year from $750,000 to $1 million. It may seem as a small increase but $250,000 increase in any one year in my view is a lot to say ‘thank you’ for. I continue to think that we are going to up the ante if the need arises if only minimally and I will never leave you in a position that was worse than last year, it will always be better.”

 Mr Gray said he hopes other regattas will follow suit by honouring and remembering contributors who have propelled the sport of sloop sailing.

The Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of the Cat Island Regatta will honour Godfrey Kelly, an avid sailor who co-founded the Regatta 60 years ago.

“Having once served as a Member of Parliament for Cat Island, Mr Kelly is recognised for his contribution to the development of the sport of sloop sailing, the continuity of this Bahamian tradition and the preservation of this unique characterisation of our culture,” he said. “He is a legend in his own right and I am pleased you choose to honour him in this way. His is a name that is recognized internationally and it does speak to the importance of these regattas in another way.”

The 21st edition of the Grand Bahama Regatta will honour Walton Rolle, a long standing regatta committee member.

“[He] actively served until 2015 freely rendering his time and resources to the building up of the Regatta Committee and his community. Today he must be commended as he continues to render service and advice when called upon,” he said. “Regattas have become so important to the economic landscape that there is no island in the Bahamas where there economy on that island has not been touched by a regatta. I have spoken to people that say to me that they make more money during the three or four days during the island’s regatta than they make all yea long. That speaks to why these events are so important.”

Cat Island Sailing Club President Pat Strachan said his organisation looks forward to positive impact and benefitting the local community.

“This regatta injects some $1.5 million into the Cat Island economy over a four day period so this is an economic boost that the people look forward to. We go to fellowship but more important is the economic boost,” he said. “In addition, the Cat Island Sailing Club we have awarded 10 scholarships to deserving students. We are not only going to host a regatta, we are going to give back to the community. Wee tend to continue the scholarship programme this year once we make a profit and those students are attending BTVI.”

According to race coordinator Stafford Armbrister, sloops expected to compete include A Class - Who Dat, Red Stripe, Good News, Southern Cross and Ed Sky. The B Class will include Cobra, Eudeva, Susan Chase, Heathcliff, Ant’s Nest,  and the C Class includes Jacobs Ladder, Whitty K, Dream Girl, Sacrifice and Catch The Cat

Grand Bahama Regatta Committee Chairperson Chevita Campbell said ‘Sail Home-Catch the Wind” is fitting to represent the culture of togetherness the homecoming and regatta will bring to descendants of Grand Bahama.

“The challenge is here for sure, but this year, we will be going to a great extent to involve the people of Grand Bahama and present an event that will be attractive to others. We will be going all out despite the planning obstacles we will face. One of the ways we will be adding excitement to the event will be by honoring stalwarts of the past. Recognising them will be significant,” she said. “We want you to come on the beach, catch all the breeze that Taino Beach has to offer. We will have a good grand time celebrating.”

The Grand Bahama event will feature live performances from D-Mac, Veronica Bishop and Julien Believe.

According to race coordinator Derek Moxey, with a C Class fleet there will be 15-20 sloops from throughout the islands.