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(Eleuthera, Bahamas) – The All Eleuthera Regatta was reborn this past weekend at the Bay front in Governor’s Harbour, with 21 vessels from throughout the country competing in A, B, and C class races. The event which was originally envisioned about 25 years ago, and held up until 1993 was hosted from Wednesday, July 1st to Sunday, July 5th, 2015.

On Thursday morning, July 2nd, after a late evening arrival on Wednesday, boats in all classes hit the beautiful waters of the harbour in a series of practice runs and races, whetting the appetite for the competitive races which took place during the day on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday July 4th, 2015.  The ‘Red Stripe’ in the A class, and the ‘Eudeva’ in the B class – both skippered by veteran sailor, Mr. Lundy Robertson, dominated both days and took the first place overall finish spots in those classes.  The ‘Lady Eunice’ took the top overall finish spot in the C class races over the weekend.

Governor’s Harbour was a simply spectacular bay for the splendour of sails and seemed the perfect setting for the event.


MP Gomez stands with winning sailors and skippers at the end of the prize giving ceremony, wrapping up the sloop sailing weekend. 

Damian Gomez, Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera and Minister of State for Legal Affairs, declared the Regatta a success, saying that locally owned hotels from Tarpum Bay to Gregory Town were filled during the usually busy US Independence holiday weekend, which he generously attributed to the efforts of the Regatta Committee during his speech, preceding the presentation of winners’ trophies and prizes to sailors on Saturday evening, July 4th, 2015.

A number of food and drink vendors commented on their financial returns at Bay front Park during the Regatta weekend, saying that although foot traffic was light during the days, evening crowds made up for the slower periods, making the event comparable to homecoming earnings, with others saying that they had fared even better.

DJ music brought by DJ Snow was the extent of daytime entertainment on the Park during the weekend, with a bit more variety during the evenings.  Several bands including the Hatchet Bay Dinner band, the High Rock band and The Signature Band entertained the larger evening crowds, as well as Junkanoo rushouts.

THE RACES

Results (Overall Finish):

A Class (5 Vessels participated): 1st – Red Stripe; 2nd – Ed Sky; 3rd – Courageous; 4th – Good News
B Class (6 Vessels participated): 1st – Eudeva; 2nd – Cobra; 3rd – Ant’s Nest; 4th – Whip Lash
C Class (10 Vessels participated): 1st – Lady Eunice; 2nd – Goodnight Irene; 3rd – Lethal Weapon; 4th – Asue Thunderbird

“This has been a great start, and next year we look forward to an even bigger and better event”, Mr. Gomez stated, during the trophies and prizes presentation on the Saturday evening.  He also highlighted the upcoming 2nd Annual Rock Sound Regatta, which debuted in 2014, and scheduled this year to be held from September 23rd to September 27th.  Philip McPhee, a consultant in the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government for Regattas, and Permanent Secretary, Ms. Renee Glinton were also on hand to assist during the prize presentations.  Regatta Commodore, local businessman, Mr. Lionel Fernander, also commented during the evening, mentioning that efforts would go into acquiring a local Eleuthera vessel to participate in the sailing races during the 2nd Annual All Eleuthera Regatta in 2016.