|
|
Summer Racing Regatta Returns For follow-up
stories on the races and the awards - Please Click
HERE WEBMASTER NOTE: RTIA is one of the most amazing, on-going, fun-filled, 5-day parties you'll ever attend ... if you usually steer clear of full-tilt partying, you probably should think about avoiding RTIA. If, on the other hand, the color, spectacle and plain good fun of this amazing regatta sound like your cup of tea, make your plane and accommodation reservations AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ... many folks book next year's travel before leaving the current year's event! The races began with the traditional Green Turtle Race on July 4th, a tradition going back more than 30 years and originating with boat builder Bill Soveral and Walter Roberts of Green Turtle Cay. Over the years additional races and towns have been added to where five races are featured with shore events in four different waterfront towns. A new Race Committee Chairman, Dr. William Anderson of Coral Gables joined the Regatta this year and has been welcomed by everyone. He and his crew have done an outstanding job of managing the six fleets. They will be returning next year. The weather has been cooperative and the enthusiasm has been high. Boats in the Guana Cay race went through a heavy rain squall which dampened the sails but not the sailors' spirits. On a sad note, the Regatta Committee misses two faithful members. Mr. Van Stratton who passed away in late March is greatly missed for his sailing knowledge and his careful accounting of the funds. His diligence and reliability will leave a vacancy that cannot easily be filled. During the 1980s he was Regatta Commodore and in recent years he served as Treasurer. Mr. James Bacon was another faithful member of the group who passed away in early April. For many years he and his wife Litty were most diligent in selling T shirts which continues to be one of the main fund raising avenues for the Regatta. The T-shirts this year used a design by local artist Anne Ray of Lubber's Quarters as they did last year. Mrs. Ray even autographed shirts taken to her studio on the south end of Lubber's Quarters. Regatta shirts, both new and old, can be seen all through the year on various town streets. The coveted trophies come from Pete Johnston's Studio of Little Harbour. The cast bronze marine and bird sculptures are mounted on oiled mahogany plaques. These are works of art rather than just trophies and the boaters love them. Ninety-three trophies are awarded in the course of the five races which each have six racing groups of boats. The sleek racing boats are kept in two classes of their own with the slower "Mother Tub" boats competing against each other. This last group is the most popular with slower boats and crews with less racing experience. These boats are given ratings which may change after the skippers demonstrate their abilities coupled with their boat's performance. The hard core racing boats are given a professional rating which does not change. About sixty boats participated this year. Parties included evening events at establishments like Guana Beach Resort, Nippers on Guana, Harbour's Edge in Hope Town, Sapodilly's and the Jib Room in Marsh Harbour. Popular street parties were held at Green Turtle Cay and Crossing Beach in Marsh Harbour. The new arrivals make new friends while the repeat skippers and crews renew old acquaintances. Some boats head for home immediately after the final awards as skippers and crew must return to work. Others make a more leisurely return and visit some of our unusual spots such as Cracker P's and Yahoo's on Lubber's Quarters. The studio of artist Anne Ray is also on Lubber's Quarters. A day trip to Little Harbour is always worthwhile with a visit to Pete's Pub, studio and foundry at the south end of the Abaco Sound. |
