Jolly Harbour Valentine's Regatta 2013 - Day 2 - Perfect!

by Trish Jenkins on 10 Feb 2013 Jolly Harbour Valentine's Regatta 2013 had 'a perfect day', was how Frolic's Don Ward described the second day of racing at the Jolly Harbour Valentine's Regatta. The Five Islands, the small line of rocks north of the entrance to Jolly Harbour, served as a scenic tropical backdrop to the four inshore races around the marks off Antigua's west coast. A menu of pre-set race courses gave Chief Race Office Paul Miller a choice of windward leeward courses and around the cans.

Great breezes typified conditions on the race course throughout the day for the two main classes, as they jostled for position on the start lines and at the marks. In each class one yacht dominated respectively. In the Cruising Division Rick Gormley's Elethea consistently emerged out in front to gain three firsts and a second. Elethea's Daniel Jules said 'We are so excited to see our results today. Everything was good on the water - the courses perfectly suited our boat. We are really showing our form in the cruising class.'

With each race approximately six miles and legs around a mile long, crews were kept busy.

Digicel Challenger took three firsts in the Racing Division along with a less distinguishing fifth place but it was still enough to put her five clear points ahead of Hightide, placed second at the end of the day's racing. Helmsman Bob Green of Digicel Challenger praised his crew, all aged between 14 and 16. 'It's all about teamwork,' he said. 'Every one of the team has a part to play on the boat, they are all good at what they do. We have trained hard together almost every night at the Antigua Yacht Club for this event.'

Hightide's Julian Gildersleve said 'We've got a bit of work to do to see if we can pull it off tomorrow but we've had a great day's racing. The windward leeward courses are good for us.We are enjoying some tight racing against Blue Peter (J/30) and Biwi Magic (6 metre) as well as Poul Hoj-Jensen's International Dragon.'

Elethea has to watch her back closely. Don Ward's Frolic is only three points behind, with a first and a second amongst her scores today.'

They give us a lot of competition,' said Daniel Jules. 'They are good sailors.'

'Racing was extremely close,' commented Paul Miller. 'Despite the spread of the handicaps only seconds separated finishers in many cases proving that this is a very competitive fleet.'

Three races are planned for the final day of the regatta tomorrow (Sunday 10th February). The Jolly Harbour Valentine's Regatta is also hosting a Rum Festival and today's sunburnt sailors were looking forward to an evening of 'English Harbour Rum and Rhythms' to wind down from the day's racing.

Regatta sponsors include founding partners Jolly Harbour Marina Village, Budget Marine, Jolly Harbour Marina, Jolly Harbour Yacht Club, Jolly Harbour Merchants' Association and Jolly Harbour Homeowners' Association. The event is also supported by Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism, Seahawk Paints, Pineapple Rentals, Townhouse Megastore, Digicel, Outdoor World Yamaha and Takumi.

CSA Spinnaker series results at Jolly Harbour Valentine's Regatta 2013

1. Digicel Challenger (9 points)
2. Hightide (16 points)
3. Blue Peter (16 points)
4. Biwi Magic (19 points)
5. Half Moon (21 points)
6. High Tension (24 points)
7. Spirit of Neptune (45 points)
8. Windward (47 points)
9. Smile and Wave (50 Jolly Harbour Regatta 2013