BEST OF THE BEST REGATTA RETURNS TO MONTAGU

By Kendea Smith

AAfter a two-year hiatus, the Best of the Best Regatta held at Montagu Bay in Nassau on December 1st—4th, 2022, was a welcomed extravaganza that celebrated Bahamian culture through great music, delectable treats and exhilarating sloop sailing races.

The event brought sloop sailors from throughout the archipelago for a fierce fight to the finish in the A, B, C, and E-class categories.

Best of the Best Regatta, held by the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, is an infant event among regattas held throughout The Bahamas as it has only been in motion for five years compared to others around The Bahamas that have been ongoing for 40 years or more.

However, in its short existence, it has managed to become the pinnacle event for sloop sailing.

Spectators are particularly pleased that they can view races play by play as large screens broadcast the ongoing races throughout the day onshore.

Patrons also enjoyed an array of Bahamian dishes from conch salad and fritters to fried lobster and snapper, grilled chicken, sweet daiquiris and much more.

For the ministry, this year’s Best of the Best was particularly special as the E-class, which featured sailors from twelve to fifteen years old, was included.

Regatta Desk Manager Barry Wilmott said the excitement was evident as it was the first time that many boats got back into the water since the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve slowly been getting back to hosting regattas throughout the year, and we were extremely excited to bring all the boat classes to Nassau for this event,” said Wilmott.

“Participants of Best of the Best are all champions who are dedicated to the advancement of sloop sailing in our country. These are men who enjoy being on the water and we are very happy that they can participate in this event.”

More than 60 sailors participated in the last Best of the Best. Many of them either made substantial repairs to their boats during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic or built new ones.

Acklins native Stephano Kemp, skipper of New Courageous, sailed in the A-class and won one of the races. He was excited to be a part of the event.

“As a team, we’ve been looking to get back to where we were for a very long time,” said Kemp.”

“Two different teams combined. It was a good victory, and it was a start of a new era. And hopefully, we can keep it for numerous regattas to come.”

Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting was a part of the New Courageous team when it sailed to victory on the first day of the regatta.

Sweeting has made it a habit to sail with one of the teams in every regatta. An avid fisherman, Sweeting said he enjoyed the experience.

“I think that this is something across the country that Bahamians have been waiting for. A lot more people are here than what we expected. In fairness, I picked a name out of a bag and New Courageous was the boat I sailed on, and we won,” said Sweeting.

“But for me, I think this event is important to our culture, comradery and getting together, and the economic impact that we are bringing throughout the Family Islands and in New Providence as well. And so, we have a lot of culture, Bahamian food and artists. I enjoy sailing with the people who love sailing.”

While New Courageous took the first win, Ed Sky from Ragged Island took the second win on day two, but by the last day—known as the big dance—Running Tide out of Long Island was crowned champion of the Best of the Best in the A-Class.

Its skipper, Stefan Knowles, out of Long Island, was also crowned champion in the B and C-classes through his boats Susan Chase and Sassie Sue, respectively.

“It’s been a little while since we raced,” said Knowles.

“It was the first major planned regatta where we had a lot of time to put things together and it was a lot of work to get the boats ready. It was a very successful event and we had fun out there. My crew and I got into the groove, and we won.”

In the E-class, Lady Peg out of Andros was the overall winner.

At night, the event’s site came alive with performances from Bahamian artists such as Bahamian Trae, Nishe, Fanshawn, Ebony, Puzzle, Lassie Doe Boys, Geno D, Sweet Emily, Shine, DMac and many more.

The event was also fun for children. It featured a kiddie corner with bouncing castles, face painting and Santa Claus coming to town on a sloop to bring treats.

Patrons like Lydia Thompson said she enjoyed the experience.

“I love sailing and so I try to go to as many regattas as I can,” she said. “I like Best of the Best because the screens make you feel like you’re on the water. The food is great as well.”

Dominic Knowles shared similar sentiments.

“We wait all year for this,” he said. “Once you experience Best of the Best, you are sure to want to come again.” UA

MRS. SHAVAUGHN MOSS is the lifestyles editor at The Nassau Guardian 1844 Ltd., The Bahamas’ oldest newspaper, and has three-plus decades of experience. She currently writes on a wide range of topics. She is known as the country’s premiere “foodie” and has traveled extensively in her culinary quest for the best bites (and some interesting ones as well). Shavaughn studied Mass Communication in the United States, and has done advanced courses in the United Kingdom as well.