By BARBARA WALKIN

Senior FN Reporter

barbara@nasguard.com

With the Annual Grand Bahama Regatta scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 22 organizers announced yesterday that they have solid confirmation from three 'A' Class boats.

Those vessels are the Lucayan Lady, the Red Stripe and the Thunder Bird.

According to chairman of the committee Carnard Bethel, the required number of boats needed to participate in the regatta is given to the three sailing associations.

"The associations then determine which boats will appear in the regatta."

Bethel noted that sometimes the list of boats competing in the regatta is not confirmed until when the barge bringing the boats to Grand Bahama is ready to leave Nassau.

"The barge bringing the boats to the GB Regatta is scheduled to leave Nassau on Thursday evening and certainly by then, we will know the names of the boats that is coming," he added.

Nevertheless, four 'A' Class, six 'B' Class and six 'C' Class boats are expected to compete in this year's event under the theme "Preserving our sailing heritage through Government and corporate partnership."

The regatta will begin Thursday evening when the organizers open the Regatta Village, on Taino Beach.

The official opening is set for 9:00 p.m. Friday and the closing ceremony will be at 9:00 p.m. Sunday.

"The actual sailing will commence on Friday morning, depending on the tide, around 10:00 or 11:00."

An added feature to this year's Regatta activities is having students from the three Government high schools as crew on three of the sail boats.

"When they sail on a selected boat whatever position the boat finishes in will be the same position the school will receive," explained Bethel.

"And again this year we are placing emphasis on culture. A number of on-shore activities have been planned for the attendees, including skate boarding, dominoes and skippin' rope."

Then, added Bethel, there is the great line up of entertainers which will include Priscilla Rollins, Audley Edden, Just Friends Band, Elon Moxey, Back Yard dancers, Oppie and the Boys, Lil Joe, Geno D, Marching bands and Junkanoo.

"And as usual an array of Bahamian food will be on sale. For the children there will be the bouncing castle and face painting."

Bethel noted that funding for this year's Regatta fell heavily on the Government and corporate sponsors in Grand Bahama.

"We are encouraging the entire Grand Bahama community to come out and support this event," said Bethel.

Harold McPhee, co-chairman reiterated that the races should start on Friday morning.

"The courses will be set the day of the race, because they are set based on the wind direction. We expect to have competitive boats as the sailors, who are coming are anxious to participate.

"We expect keen competition and we're hopeful that everything will go smoothly during this year's regatta," added McPhee.

LET'S GET SAILING — Organizers of the Grand Bahama Regatta Committee yesterday announced that all systems are go for the annual sailing event on Grand Bahama. Boats are expected to begin arriving on time for the June 22 - 25 competition on Taino Beach. Pictured from left are: Harold McPhee, co-chairman; Carnard Bethel, chairman and Spence Dorsett, committee member. (Sports photo by BARBARA WALKIN)