The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE New Legend, Lonesome Dove, Sallie Sue and Miss Agnes took the early leads in their respective classes of the Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources/Regatta Desk’s 2025 Best-of-the-Best Regatta.

The traditional sloop competition under the national sport of the Bahamas - sailing - started yesterday in Montagu Bay and will continue through Sunday when the champions in the various classes will be crowned.

In yesterday’s first race, New Legend powered through the finish line in first place ahead of the Running Tide and the Silent Partner in the A Class in winds blowing about eight to 10 knots. 

The B Class saw the Lonesome Dove victorious with the Susan Chase V second and the Ants Nest came in third.

In the C Class, Sassie Sue got to the line ahead of the Bul Reg and Sacrifice.

And in the E Class, Miss Agnes was a little better than the rest of the field that included Mako in second and Paps in third.

Looking back at the performance of his boat, Emile Knowles, the grandson of the late Rupert Knowles and son of Elijah Knowles, said he and Mark Knowles built a new boat. 

"We came here today with a new sail to try it out," Knowles said. "We tried it. We made some adjustments and she sailed perfectly. That's the way she's supposed to sail."

Knowles said anytime a boat beats the Running Tide, Rough Justice, Silent Partner, they are sitting pretty.

He credited David Knowles for skippering the Legend to the victory. 

"If you slip up out there, five, twenty or thirty seconds, that's it," he said. "The Legend sailed the perfect race today."

Racing will continue today at 9am in Montagu Bay.