Because of unusually light winds, the inaugural race of the 2015 Cayman Catboat Club, the David Foster Memorial Race, took place on Sunday (23) at the Captain Garvin Park in Batabano, West Bay.

The race is usually run from Morgan’s Harbor to David Foster’s home in Sand Point.

John Bodden the Race Officer set up a triangle course within the Morgan’s Harbour basin and this seemed to have attracted more spectators to the event.

The start at 9:30am included the Foster’s Food Fair-sponsored Brac Cat, skippered by Romel Ebanks and crewed by R.J. Ebanks. Another boat was Captain D, skippered by Kem Jackson and crewed by Joey Jackson, and the other was the Camana Bay-sponsored Whittaker Cat, skippered by Jerris Miller and crewed by N.J. Miller.

Masterful skippering by Kem Jackson soon saw Captain D overtaking Brac Cat to move into first place by the first mark, a position he was not to relinquish. The light air did not present too many chances to develop a passing lane, although Brac Cat put up a valiant chase and was able to close the gap slightly but not overtake the position.

After two laps of the course, which sported an Americas Cup reaching start, the end results over the finish line to make up the podium were first place to Captain D, second place to Brac Cat, sponsored by Fosters Food Fair and third place to Whittaker Cat, sponsored by Camana Bay.

Young RJ Ebanks is the youngest member of the Cayman Catboat Club, at only 5 years old.

Prize giving will take place in November when the Cayman Islands National Catboat Champion will be crowned, based on points garnered by each boat during the sailing season.

The day of racing was a family affair and enjoyed by the racers and spectators alike. There was also a social lunch, sponsored by Foster’s Food Fair.

The next race for the Catboat Club will be the Premier’s Cup on Sunday 27th September, followed by the Pirates Week race in October and the Camana Bay Memorial Day Catboat Championship Race on 9 November.

IMAGES (supplied)