Cayman shines in ragatta

(CNS): Local teams finished in first and second place in the third KPMG J/22 International Regatta, held at the Cayman Islands Sailing Club (CISC) from 26 February to 2 March. Six teams from the Cayman Islands competed against six international teams from Nassau Yacht Club Bahamas, Manhattan Sailing Club USA, Royal Burnham Yacht Club UK, Montego Bay Yacht Club Jamaica and Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. Although a total of nine races were scheduled over the three race days, only six were held due to a strong cold front reaching the Cayman area on Monday, 2 March, and racing was abandoned for the final day.(Photos by Gary White of Infocus Photography)

The first day of racing, Saturday 28 February, featured exciting North Sound conditions with 15-18 knot breezes and large waves. The Cayman teams were strong in these conditions and Compass Marine (Mike Farrington, Matt Diaz & Nick Taylor) dominated the days racing with first and second place results. They were closely followed by the Cayman Radium team (Donald McLean, Alex Laing & David Carmichael).

Race conditions were dramatically different for the second day of racing, Sunday 1 March with light winds of 5-7 knots and flat water. This gave the opportunity for some of the visiting teams to show their skills, with both teams from Nassau Yacht Club (Jimmie Lowe and Craig Symonette) winning a race each and the Montego Bay Yacht Club crew (Peter Harper, Richard & Jacqui Hamilton & Juan Lago) winning Race 3. Cayman teams continued to do well, and at the end of day 2 Compass Marine was still leading the Regatta with Radium in second place and Jimmie Lowe’s Nassau team in third.

Race Officer, Peta Adams postponed the scheduled start for racing on Monday, 2 March, and eventually the decision was made to abandon racing for the day as conditions proved to be too challenging for racing and for the boats to safely leave and return to the CI Sailing Club dock.

Trophies, donated by Kirk Freeport, were awarded at the Prize Giving dinner held at CISC on Monday evening to the top place finishers. Race winners for each day were rewarded with Tortuga Rum products and KPMG shirts.

Final results after six races:

Rank Boat HelmName Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Total Nett
1st Compass Marine Mike Farrington CISC 2 1 1 4 -8 3 19 11
2nd Radium Donald McLean CISC 1 4 2 6 2 -10 25 15
3rd Flash Jimmie Lowe Nassau Yacht Club 5 -6 3 2 1 5 22 16
4th Argy Barj Peter Harper Montego Bay Yacht Club 6 3 4 -8 5 1 27 19
5th Yahoo Bruce Johnson CISC 3 2 7 3 -11 8 34 23
6th Regatta Sprite Marina Drive CISC 4 5 5 -9 4 6 33 24
7th Sunshine Craig Symonette Nassau Yacht Club 7 7 -8 1 7 4 34 26
8th Moonstruck Rick Thompson Royal Bermuda Yacht Club -11 11 10 7 3 2 44 33
9th Ciao! Jane Moon CISC 8 10 6 -11 6 7 48 37
10th Wreckless Andy Wise Royal Burnham Yacht Club 9 8 -11 5 10 11 54 43
11th Mayhem Jo Richards CISC 10 9 9 10 9 -12 5947
12th Plenty Trouble Danielle Gallo Manhattan Sailing Club -12 1212 12 12 9 69 57

Title sponsor, KPMG had a big presence at the regatta supporting a Sailing Youth Day for North Side School children and providing volunteer KPMG staff who helped out with many of the evening events.

“We are delighted to support such a prestigious international sporting event for the third year. It is great to be a part of something that gives Cayman as well as the CISC some international exposure,” said Kris Beighton, Partner and Head of KPMG’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programme.

“We very much appreciate having KPMG on board again as our title sponsor for this event” commented CISC Commodore Andrew Moon. “The partnership between CISC and KPMG works well and we have once again been able to offer a high quality event with excellent sailing competition and social camaraderie enjoyed equally by competitors, officials, spectators and volunteers”.

Other sponsors and suppliers of goods and services to the regatta included Kirk Freeport, Harbour House Marina, Caribbean Marine Services, Tortuga Rums, Flowers Bottled Water, Champion House Catering, Mainstay Sailing, Subway West Shore & Industrial Park, English Bakery, Cost-U-Less, Infocus Photos Ltd, Cayman Islands Sailing Club and the local J/22 boat owners.

Regatta photos are posted at http://www.pbase.com/gwhite/3rd_kpmg_regatta