The largest fleet in recent years took to the waters on Good Friday for the 50th anniversary of the Easter Regatta Round the Island Race. The combined Cruiser and J22 fleet headed out from North Sound, headed east to East End and then along the south coast to finish off Sunset House. On Saturday they completed the circumnavigation by racing from Sunset House back to North Sound via North West Point.

The Friday race was a pursuit race where boats started at different times according to their handicaps. The slower boats set off at 7.30 in the morning and tried to stay ahead of the chasing faster boats. Roger Nelson’s brand new trimaran, a Dragonfly 28, was the fasted rated boat and started last but showed why it is so highly rated by charging through the fleet over the 41 nautical mile course to take first place with a time of 7 hours and 45 minutes. Bruce Johnson’s “Blue Runner” was second and Donald McLeans “Radium” took third place.

The J22 fleet saw Mike Farrington’s “Just Leaving” take first place after a grueling nine hour race, just 8 minutes ahead of Eduardo Bernal’s “Calima”. Mark Macfee was third in “Moon struck”.

“It was such an experience to be sailing with so many other boats around you” explained Cruiser Rep, Rob Hutchison. “Round the Island is a long race and sometimes you can feel pretty isolated but this year the light winds and large fleet meant that you felt like you were sailing in company”.

The Race back on Saturday saw “Blue Runner” exact revenge on “Nelson & Co” in the cruiser fleet, whilst “Moonstruck” were overall winners on handicap.

Race sponsors, Harbour House Marina donated generous prizes and trophies for the winners. Special trophies were also awarded to the top Cruiser and top J22 in memory of Mark Clarke. The handsome trophies were designed by Eduardo Bernal and donated by Peter Cunningham and were a fitting tribute to Mark who had raced and won the round the island so many times in his sailing career.

The Prize giving at Sunset House was attended by a large number of sailors and friends who were all in festive spirit. “It’s always great to see a big fleet for the major race in the sailing calendar and although some boats lost the wind late in the day and had to retire, the taking part in a long distance race always brings a sense of achievement” reported CISC Manager Rick Caley. “Next year is the 50th anniversary of the Cayman Islands Sailing Club and so we hope that the Easter regatta will be even larger. Many thanks to all those who support us including Race Committee, who get up so early on the first day of the holiday to go out and set boats on their way and our sponsors Harbour House Marina”

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