1998 ALL-ABACO REGATTA

December 1998 Table of Contents - Current Issue of The Abaco Journal - Abaco Bahamas' Home Page

1998 ALL-ABACO REGATTA

The All-Abaco Regatta Committee said it would be bigger and better this year - and were they right! The second annual Regatta entertained thousands and brought together Abaconians from the deepest south to the furthest north in a festival of community spirit topped off by a famous Abaco win in the Class A Division.

A 50 yard long triple row of vending stalls kept everybody sustained with substantial full chicken meals, conch salad and fritters, fried fish, barbecued wild boar and many other delicacies. Oh yes, there were a few bars as well.

The races were held in the waters between the Treasure Cay ferry dock and New Plymouth. The Regatta site on the mainland was filled to capacity on closing night. Nobody could venture an opinion on how many people were present as it appeared that everybody who lived on Abaco - and a few thousand more - were on hand. Take a 10,000 square yard area and put people back to back, belly to belly, and that's how many people there were. Parking extended miles north and south of the ferry dock. The Regatta was also a reminder of how many lovely ladies we have on Abaco.

A definite percentage of the crowd was non-Abaconian, including many politicians and civic figures from Nassau. There were some tourists, but not many as this is the lull between the end of summer and American Independence Day. Those who were there, however, were swept up in the extended family feeling that pervaded the festivities.

Some people actually watched the races. They were rewarded by the Class A victory of Abaco Rage, skippered by Chris Thompson of Hope Town, over six competitors in three races. Abaco Rage won Friday's race, placed second to Rupert's Legend on Saturday morning, and won again on Saturday afternoon. Another Abaco boat, Lonesome Dove, with Ivan Stuart at the helm, placed 6th in the Class B races.

Chief Passport Officer and previous Assistant Island Administrator for North Abaco, Jack Thompson, was the popular choice as master of ceremonies. "I don't know how many people are here," he told an appreciative crowd, but I just started counting and there are 15,000 over in that corner..." He introduced Minister of Youth Zhivargo Laing who congratulated Abaco and all the participants. He did issue a humorous warning, however, referring to the Class A victory of Abaco Rage : "It is not good to be the host and then beat up on a lot of folks!"

Minister Laing in turn introduced the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Hubert Ingraham. "Abaco came late to the regatta scene but is no doubt now number one in the regatta business," he said. The Abaco Rage had competed in previous regattas, he told the thousands in attendance, but had - perhaps justifiably - felt cheated. This regatta was run and won fair and square. To the Abaco Regatta Committee he said, "You've done a wonderful job... The people of Abaco are grateful to you, as are all of us who have come to enjoy this event."

Race Results:

CLASS A

Governor-General's Cup

sponsored by Bahamas Star Farms - Abaco Rage

Shell Bahamas Trophy

sponsored by Shell Bahamas - Rupert's Legend

Prime Minister's Cup

sponsored by Rosie's Enterprises & Fletcher McIntosh Construction - Abaco Rage

CLASS B

Treasure Cay Cup

sponsored by Treasure Cay Ltd - New Chase

Barclays Bank Trophy

Garnet Archer/Gordon Hudson Trophy

sponsored by the Archer and Hudson families - New Chase

CLASS C

Bahama Pride Cup

sponsored by Bahama Star Farms - Unknown 500

Commonwealth Bank Trophy

sponsored by Commonwealth Bank Ltd - Unknown 500

Myers Rum Trophy

sponsored by Myers Rum - Unknown 500

Final Series Standings:

CLASS A Sponsored by Abaco Wholesale Ltd

1 Abaco Rage Abaco Chris Thompson 20pts
2 Rupert's Legend Long island Mark Knowles 19
3 Courageous Ragged Island Emmet Munroe 15
4 Good News Ragged Island Lee Armbrister 10
5 = Jiffy Exuma Hurie Llloyd 8
5 = Thunderbird 2000 Andros Ivan Stuart 8
7 Silent Partner Exuma Clyde Rolle 4

CLASS B Sponsored by Brendal's Dive Shop & CIBC (Bahamas) Ltd

1 New Chase Long Island Mark Knowles 35 pts
2 Storrs Exuma Alvin Taylor 33
3 Lady Nathalie Nassau Hezron Moxey 27
4 Barbarian Acklins Emmet Munroe 23
5 Peacemaker Acklins Lundy Robinson 22
6 Lonesome Dove Abaco Ivan Stuart 20
7 Cobra Mayaguana Dwayne Higgins 19
8 Passion Nassau Lee Arbrister 17
9 Red Scorpion Exuma Buzzy Rolle 15
10 Whiplash Acklins Alfred Johnson 13
11 Thunder Eagle Andros Marty Bullard 6
12 Hummingbird Long Island Clifton Wells 5

CLASS C Sponsored by Disney Cruise Lines

1 Unknown Exuma Ivan Stuart 30 pts
2 I've Tried Exuma Alvin Taylor 24
3 Good Night Irene Long Island Mark Knowles 22
4 Lady Ruthnell Marty Bullard 21
5 = Fisherman's Inn Exuma Hurie Lloyd 17
5 = 'Nuff Respect Exuma Buzzy Rolle 17
7 Brazen Rose Lee Armbrister 13
8 = Ruff Rider Joshua Green 9
8 = Barbarian II Acklins Emmet Munroe 9

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