(Bridgetown, Barbados) – The final day of the Coastal Series at the 80th
anniversary Mount Gay Round Barbados Regatta, organized by Barbados
Cruising Club in association with Barbados Tourism, and Mount Gay,
concluded in fine style today with sunshine, wind up to 28kts, and a
relatively flat sea. The fleet reveled in the conditions along the south
coast of the island with a long beat out to Oistins and a rewarding
blast back home.In Carlisle Bay, where winds remained around 18-20 kts, the J/24 fleet enjoyed yet more close battles in the final four races of the series. With Robbie Yearwood and team on ISLAND WATER WORLD DIE HARD from Grenada, and Neil Burke and team on IMPULSE equal on points going into the final day’s racing, competition was guaranteed to be intense.
The situation looked good for Burke and team on IMPULSE with two wins in the bag after the first two races, while Yearwood and Team ISLAND WATER WORLD DIE HARD suffered with a couple of penalties, which left them having to count a third and a fourth. Living up to their name, however, Team DIE HARD fought back and won the final two races, which left them snatching the title from IMPULSE by just one point.
Commenting on the team’s impressive win, Robbie Yearwood said: “Absolutely delighted. After the first two races today we had a bit of a conference, settled down, put the past behind us, did what we had to do and focus on moving on. Thankfully it paid off.”
Peter Lewis and team on the J/105 WHISTLER sailed CSA Division and had one of the best starts of the day at the pin end of the line. They kept up the pace on the long beat to South Point and some good kite trimming on the long run back ensured them their third win of the series. In doing so they beat Conviction the local TP52 sailed by Clint Brooks and team representing the Barbados Offshore Sailing Syndicate (BOSS).
After three days of intense racing and lay day tomorrow, crews are making the most of the local hospitality tonight at the Post Race party at Barbados Yacht Club. Lay day activities tomorrow include a Mount Gay Rum distillery tour at Brandon’s in the morning, and a specially laid on regatta exhibition polo match and party at Holders Polo Field, St James in the afternoon. For more Mt Gay Round Barbados Race sailing information.
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