11112016 sports by tribune242

SPORTS SECTION E

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016

PELICANS WIN

Buddy Hield, Page 5

Plans revealed for future of sport at University of the Bahamas By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net AS the nation celebrated Charter Day for the University of the Bahamas, plans for the future of sport at the institution were also revealed. Speaking during yesterday’s charter ceremony at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium, University President Dr Rodney Smith touted the expansion of university facilities – a result of the partnership between UB and the Nation-

al Sports Authority. “As of today the university’s facilities also include a collaborative programming between our academic programming and the NSA. “We are effectively expanding the campus to include this very stadium. Technically, you are now on the campus of the University of the Bahamas,” he told the crowd gathered at the stadium to witness history. “This expansion allows us to jointly create the Bahamas’ National Sports Academy. The uni-

versity will be the epicentre for student athletes throughout the country and during the summer months, we will host athletes for international competition.” That expansion will include a host of new opportunities for UB’s student athletes as it seeks membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The NAIA is an athletic association that organises college and university level athletic programmes among small to mid-size institutions, primarily across the

United States but also outside the US. The NAIA began accepting members from Canada in 1999 which made it the only international intercollegiate athletic association in North America until 2009. Today there are three Canadian members. As of July 1, 2016, the NAIA reports having 246 member institutions. “In order to grow our university athletic programme we are now in the process of securing membership in the NAIA,” Dr Smith said. “In the near future the university will host championship tourna-

$2.5m beach soccer complex for the 2017 FIFA World Cup By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net SITE preparation and preliminary work is underway for the construction of the Bahamas’ new beach soccer complex in preparation to host several major events slated for 2017. With the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup highlighting the sports tourism schedule for next year, construction of a new stadium was necessary to meet the demand for the event. The $2.5 million facility, built on the site of the original complex at Malcolm Park West, will be capable of hosting over 3,000 patrons and will be equipped with a number of modern amenities. Said Bruce LaFluer, project architect and member of the BSWC Bahamas 2017 Local Organising Committee: “Our facilities what we had on this site did not have enough capacity and was not ready for that particular event. The government, in conjunction with FIFA, decided to put this 2.5 million stadium which will house about a capacity of 3,097 persons,” he said. “The grandstand will have VIP boxes and it will be one of the first beach soccer facilities in the Caribbean at this level. It will be a world-class facility and hosting the World Cup means any tournament in the world can be held here. Because it’s sand, we will also be able to hold beach volleyball and we are slated to be a part of the Commonwealth Youth Games as beach volleyball and beach soccer will be played here at this facility, the

quick as possible. Demolition has started by removing the infrastructure we had here prior. They will start with foundation, and have actually started with pulling together the steel. The prefabricated structure should be here November 17 and we are looking for that to arrive on island and start the facility,” LaFleur said. “We are trying to work straight throughout Christmas holidays and are looking for our facility to be completed by the end of January. Cavalier has jumped

SEE PAGE 5

WEB.COM GOES TO BAHAMAS WITH SUNDAYWEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

on, got the ball rolling quickly and we will continue to keep pressing along with the process.” In an event expected to revolutionise the sport in the country, 16 teams from around the world will be taking part in the FIFA BSWC Bahamas 2017, hosted April 27 to May 7. It is expected to be one of the largest draws sports tourism has ever enjoyed. Participation is being compared to the IAAF World Relays and the Battle 4

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Web.com Tour is starting next year in the Bahamas with two tournaments that will end in the middle of the week. The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic will be played January 8-11 at Sandals Emerald Bay. The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic will be played January 22-25 at The Abaco Golf Club. Both events will start on Sunday and end on Wednesday. The schedule change is to give the PGA Tour’s chief developmental circuit more attention and to provide Golf Channel with live programming in the middle of the week. Golf Channel will have live golf every day those weeks. The Bahamas now has four tournaments - the Hero World Challenge in December hosted by Tiger Woods, the two Web.com Tour events and the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic. The two Web.com Tour tournaments will feature 132-player fields and $600,000 purses, with the winner of each receiving a $108,000 first-place prize. The announcement comes on the heels of golf’s successful return to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1904, as the PGA Tour and the game’s governing bodies continue to globalise the sport in the 21st century. Including the Tour-sanctioned Hero World Challenge and the LPGA’s Pure Silk Bahamas Classic (contested the week after The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic), The Bahamas is now host to four professional golf tournaments on

SEE PAGE 5

THE $2.5 MILLION facility, being built at the site of the original complex at Malcolm Park West, will be capable of hosting over 3,000 patrons and equipped with a number of modern amenities. best of its kind in the region.” Other amenities include offices, locker rooms, media workstations, medical offices, support system and storage facilities, doping room and a competition control area. Work on the project is being done by Cavalier construction and is expected to be completed by the end of January in preparation for the Bahamas to host the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships in February. “We just started but we are trying to make this move as

ments across several sports, while providing unlimited opportunities for our student athletes educationally, athletically and professionally.” Prime Minister Perry Christie said the expansion of sports, both at the university level and through national sports academies, is of great importance to his organisation. “In reference to the president speaking about sports and the university’s role in sports. Let me

Justin Roberts eliminated at Bluewater Bay Pro Circuit By BRENTSTUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net COLLEGIAN Justin Roberts’ run in the men’s singles of the Bluewater Bay Pro Circuit came to an end yesterday at the hands of German Pirmin Haenle. Roberts, a member of the University of South Florida men’s collegiate tennis team, suffered a 6-4, 7-5 decision to Haenle in the second round in the Futures Tournament that was played on the clay courts at the Bluewater

Bay Tennis Center in player with any profesNiceville, Florida. sional points, is curRoberts, who turns rently ranked at 1,242. 20 on December 4, His ranking, no doubt, was coming off a huge will increase because upset in the first round of his appearance in on Tuesday when he the second round. eliminated the 7th seed He was one of two Winston Lin of the players who participatUnited States. Lin, 23, ed in the tournment. was ranked at 697 on The other was Rodney ROBERTS the ATP computer list. Carey. He was the highest ranked player Carey, who turned 24 on Septhat Roberts has beaten for the tember 23, won his first round year. match in the qualifying round Roberts, the only Bahamian with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Enrique

Paya Gonzalez of Spain before he got eliminated in the second round, losing 7-5, 6-4 to American Aleksandar Kovacevic. Carey, who turned 24 on September 23, also teamed up with American Mwendwa Mbithi to play doubles. However, they got ousted in the first round, losing to Americans Patrick Daciek and Dane Webb 6-1, 7-6 (8). Although he has been performing exceptionally well in doubles for USF, Roberts said the coaching staff has only given him the green light to participate in sin-

gles in the tournament. This is Roberts’ second tournament since returning to school after the summer break. He played last month in Birmingham, Alabama, where he lost in the second round in qualifying 7-5, 6-2 to Vasilly Kichigin from Russia. Roberts, however, had an active summer, playing in six tournaments in June and July in Charlottesville, Virginia, Buffalo, New York, Rochester, New York, Saskatoon, Canada, Godfrey, Illinois and Edwardsville, Illinois.

PAGE 2, Friday, November 11, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

TRI-ATHLETES compete in the swimming segment of the 30th annual event in Grand Bahama.

Stephen Laursen wins 30th Annual Conchman Triathlon for 12th time By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net HURRICANE Matthew did not destroy the spirits and will of the organisers or participants of the 30th Annual Conchman Triathlon in Grand Bahama on Saturday. This year’s event attracted about 150 participants, including 13 from New Providence and Abaco, and a group of eight US competitors and spectators from San Francisco. Stephen Laursen, a US participant who has competed in the event since 1997, returned to capture his 12th overall win in the men’s category this year. “It is sad to see what has happened [to the island] but it is good to see the island is still alive and well,” he said. Mr Laursen praised the organisers for the amazing job in keeping the event alive. “This event is so incredible,” he said. “With all of the other triathlon events being so commercialised, this is the one that still has that early spirit of triathlon.” Elizabeth Shadock, of New Providence, won the female category for the third year. Conchman is one of the main sporting events on the Ministry of Tourism’s calendar of events in Grand Bahama. When Hurricane Matthew caused widespread devastation on Grand Bahama on October 6, it was feared that the event would have to be postponed. However, due to the significant restoration efforts, the island was able regroup in time resulting in the relaunch of tourism activity. Betty Bethel, director for the Ministry of Tourism, commended organisers for quickly mobilising and hosting a successful event, four weeks after Matthew. “The Ministry of Tourism is very grateful to the organising

THE WINNERS: Shown (l-r) are Anya Hanna, Sports Tourism, MOT, Betty Bethel, MOT director, Elizabeth Shadock, winner of women’s category, Bert Bell, triathlon founder, Stephen Laursen, winner of men’s category, Jay Philippe, assistant manager for Sports Tourism, MOT, and Elaine Smith, coordinator for product development, MOT. team, led by Mr Christopher Baker, and we are looking forward to an even bigger participation next year from the international participants,” she said. Jay Philippe, assistant manager of Sports Tourism for the Ministry of Tourism, said that participation could have been greater except for the lack of available hotel rooms on the island.

“There were a lot more persons that were preparing to attend but were unable to due to the unavailability of hotel rooms,” he said. Mr Philippe said that the ministry’s Sports Tourism team is excited about what the remainder of 2016 will bring to the athletic community of Grand Bahama, the surrounding islands and the South Florida sporting commu-

THE TRIATHLON climaxed with a Junkanoo rush featuring the winners of this year’s Junkanoo Summer Festival, the Platinum Knights.

nity. He said that they are anticipating a new and exciting triathlon event which is planned to take place at Taino Beach in December. “We are looking forward to hosting the first X-Treme 13.2 Intracoastal Challenge in a few short weeks [December 3], and we will continue to place our ef-

forts behind this to ensure that Grand Bahama receives the exposure that it deserves,” said Mr Philippe. The 30th Annual Conchman Triathlon climaxed with a Junkanoo rush featuring the winners of this year’s Junkanoo Summer Festival, the Platinum Knights, who were costumed to commemorate Guy Fawkes Day.

A TRIATHLON lover competes in the running segment of the event.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 11, 2016, PAGE 3

Nationals show softball still alive and well in Bahamas IT IS not how you start, nor how you get there. Most importantly, it’s how you finish. • The Finish Line, a weekly column, seeks to comment on the state of affairs in local sports, highlighting the highs and the lows, the thrills and the spills and the successes and failures. THE WEEK THAT WAS THE Bahamas Softball Federation’s 2016 BTC National Round Robin Championships in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex over the weekend turned out to be one of the most competitive in quite some time. While the Johnson’s Lady Truckers carted off the ladies’ crown, beating their opponents by an average of 10 runs, the men’s division came down to a much closer margin with the JC Bluewater Jets taking the title back to Eleuthera for the first time in six years. Both the Lady Truckers and the Jets had one thing going for them. While they had a veteran workhorse on the mound, their supporting casts were basically young squads. Matched against their arch-rivals from Grand Bahama, the New Providence champions Lady Truckers routed the Folley’s Girls twice, producing their best game when it counted the most in the final (18-6) in an abbreviated fashion to hoist the trophy. Marvell Miller, who was spectacular in pitching all games to secure the New Providence Softball Association’s title and the most valuable player award over the Sunshine Auto Wild-

cats, continued her stellar performance in the BSF Nationals. And even though she was just as impressive on the offensive end, she was beaten out by third sacker Shavette Taylor, who literally hit the cover off the ball in clinching the MVP honours. It really didn’t matter who won it because the Lady Truckers had a potent line-up that saw just about all nine players making their contribution to their success. As for the Folley’s Girls, it appeared as if they were just going through the motions, having come to town in the aftermath of the destruction that they left behind in Grand Bahama to play for the national title. Their only losses came at the hands of the Lady Truckers, but the Sagoma Navigators, who also experienced some grief from Hurricane Matthew in Andros, came close to pulling off an upset over Grand Bahama, not just once, but twice. Upset seemed to be the trend on the men’s side as the New Providence’s C&S Hitmen suffered a double whammy, knocking them out of contention for the title. In a round robin game when they decided to rest ace Alcott Forbes, Grand Bahama’s Control Chemical Sweepers took advan-

tage of Martin Burrows Jr as they exploded for a stunning 8-6 win. That forced the Hitmen to have to go the longer route to get into the final and in their playoff game against the Jets, it came down to a dandy. In the end, Adney ‘the Heat’ Bethel and the Jets prevailed as they nipped the Hitmen 1-0. Bethel went on to power the Jets to an abbreviated 8-0 decision over the 5 Star AG & Turf Bulldogs and towering pitcher Lyle Sawyer. In addition to his big bat, Bethel was named the MVP for his efforts. Federation president Ted Miller has to be extremely happy with what transpired over the weekend. For the three days of competition, there was standing room only as the fans came out and supported their favourite teams. Obviously, it shows that softball is still alive and well in the country, despite the fact that not all of the affiliated island associations like Exuma and Long Island were in attendance. If the display of softball over the weekend was any indication, it should be noted that there are some great things for the federation to build on going forward. THE WEEK AHEAD The New Providence Basketball Association

NEW CHAMPIONS: The Blue Water Jets took the title back to Eleuthera. Photo: Tim Clarke/The Tribune kicked off its 2016/17 season this week at the AF Adderley Gymnasium. And for the first time in a long time, the association has decided to reintroduce its division II play, which caters primarily to those players who are under the age of 23 years. Already, we have seen some of the teams utilising players on their men’s division one teams, but NPBA president Eugene Horton said the focus will be on those new teams coming into the league this year. So when the division II play - named in honour of the late Godfrey McQuay and the ailing Charles ‘Chuck’ Mackey - is launched 7pm Wednesday when the Johnson’s Trucking Panchos take on the Elites Basketball Club, it

should be just as entertaining as what is being anticipated for the men’s division one play. Additionally, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture will continue its National Sports Heritage Month with its National Sports Awards Ceremony. The event, a concertstyled awards ceremony modelled closely after ESPNs “ESPY Awards,” is all set to be hosted November 19 in the Atlantis resort’s Crown Ballroom under the theme “Number Uno - Still Number 1.” The selection committee and members of the media will vote on a myriad of awards honouring teams, individuals, performances, coaches and federations. One of the other highlights of the month will be

the induction of 18 new members into the National Hall of Fame at Government House tonight. Congrats to Della WoodThomas, Hattie Moxey, Candace DeGregory-Culmer, Sister Annie Thompson OSB OBE, Vickey Knowles Andrews, Evander Freeman Barr, Burket Dorsett, Carlton Harris, Anthony “Poker” Huyler, Ivan Johnson, Nathaniel Knowles, Edmondo Moxey, Jayson “Peggs” Moxey, Frank Rutherford MBE, as well as Eucal Hugh Bullard, Bertram Perigord, Roosevelt “Dog” Turner, and James “Jim” Wood, who will all go in posthumously. They will join an elite group of athletes and contributors in the hall that will swell to 149.

Project Quick Relief ‘going quite well’ BAHAMAS Association of Athletic Associations’ public relations officer Philip Gray said their Project Quick Relief programme has been going quite well. The BAAA launched the programme earlier this month in their bid to assist those member associations affected by Hurricane Matthew. “The relief has gone fairly well. We anticipate that

THE IBS team, headed by Nick Dean, makes a contribution to Project Quick Relief.

Rockets beat the Pros, Caribs stun Shockers 98-96 THE New Providence Basketball Association continued its regular season action at AF Adderley Gymnasium on Wednesday night. In two close encounters, the Rockets defeated the Island Game Pros 70-60 and the College of the Bahamas Caribs knocked off the Shockers 98-96. • Here’s a summary of the games: Caribs 98, Shockers 96: In their last game as the College of the Bahamas, the Caribs got a game high 35 points, 12 rebounds and five assists from Kemsy Sylvestre. Justin Smith contributed 27 points with eight rebounds; Franklyn McKenzie had 11 points and 13 rebounds and Brian Jennings finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. Salathiel Dean led the Shockers with 29 points and 11 rebounds; Lamont Arm-

aly had 18 points and Floyd Armbrister came off the bench and scored 13 points with four rebounds. Smith hit one of two free throws with nine seconds to give COB the final margin. The Shockers came within one (97-96) on a pair of charity shots from Rigby with 12 seconds to go. But after Smith’s free throw, Dean attempted a jumper to tie the score for the Shockers, but he missed as time expired and the Caribs held on for the win. It was their third straight victory since COB headed towards the transformation to the University of the Bahamas yesterday. Over the weekend, the Caribs won their two games against Trinity College Bantams in their homecoming at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Rockets 70, Pros 60: Rashad McKenzie scored 18 points with seven rebounds to lead the Rockets to their season opening win. Tomeko Moxey had 13

points; Corey Williams had 10 points, six assists and four rebounds and Rashad Morley chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds. Derrick Ferguson had 21 points and seven rebounds to pace Island Game. Duran Burrows added 12 points with 16 rebounds and Judino Wilson helped out with 10 points and five rebounds. Tonight 7pm - Double R Services Limited Cleaners vs Rhythm Rebels 8:30pm - Mr Ship It Regulators vs PJ Stingers Saturday 6pm - Legends vs Island Game Pros 7:30pm - Rockets vs Shockers 9pm - CB Giants vs Mail Boat Cybots

in the next few days, much more of our stakeholders will be coming in,” Gray said. “As you know, our people tend to be last minute, but certainly the initiative has been well received. People are very conscious of the needs of others and we have raised the social consciousness of our children in athletics, who have been participating in the programme.” Of late, the BAAA re-

ceived a donation of $500 from Integrated Building Services Limited, headed by coach Nick Dean and both Dr Kier Miller and the Monica Track Club, headed by coach Dianne Woodside, have made a sizeable contribution to the fund. As early as next week, Gray said the BAAA will begin distributing the goods they have received to the persons in need in Grand Bahama and Andros.

PAGE 4, Friday, November 11, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

NITTEL CROWNED CHAMPION OF BAHAMAS NISEI OPEN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP NITTEL J Rolle was crowned the champion of the Bahamas Nisei Open Karate Championship. For the first time ever, Grand Master Alex Penn formulated

the one-point championship seven that the black point on the win will go home first. Rolle, considered so small and so young, was focused enough to

pull off the win. Jamaro Pierre was second and Ronald 'Smokie' Martin got third. Grand Master Penn said mar-

tial arts is all about discipline and the competitors must all work hard. But he said he never thought that young Rolle would have emerged as the champion

over his older and more experienced rivals. "It goes to show the small axe can cut down a big tree," Grand Master Penn said.

GRAND Master Alex Penn (centre) with winners of the Bahamas Nisei Open Karate Championship, including champion Nittel J Rolle (far right).

Happy Hour CrossFit - a new and fast growing Bahamian-owned affiliate KAREN Eldon and Mario Jordan don’t dilly dally on their dreams. Seven months ago, the couple

was living in Bolivia, pondering the possibility of relocating to Eldon’s hometown in The Bahamas.

Today, they spend their days running Happy Hour CrossFit, a new and fast growing Bahamian-owned

CrossFit affiliate. Eldon and Jordan began dating in 2004 at university. Twelve years later, they’ve channelled their chemistry by sharing their passion for CrossFit with the local community. Happy Hour CrossFit (HHCF) opened its doors as a licenced CrossFit affiliate in September 2016. Jordan, a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, customises every workout and leads each class, while Eldon takes charge of the company’s corporate side. Their success has been well documented by a steadily growing membership of CrossFit enthusiasts. CrossFit was developed in 2000 by Greg Glassman, who hoped to create a fitness regimen that utilised varied functional movements at high intensity to improve strength, power, coordination, stability and endurance. Each workout of the day – known as the WOD – is unique and can involve anything from rowing to Olympic lifts. Those who have done neither need not fear. Certified CrossFit instructors rely on skills training and scaling workouts to keep classes safe, but challenging. Like all CrossFit affiliates, HHCF is dependent on utilising accountability to encourage every athlete to perform to the best of his

or her ability. Camaraderie takes the place of judgment and cliques in the HHCF ‘box’, as CrossFit centers are called. At the East Bay Street location, CrossFitters encourage each other to overcome personal challenges and celebrate individual successes together - “Be nice” is the box’s first rule, after all “When I moved to Bolivia in 2013, I went with Mario to the CrossFit he had been attending regularly,” said Eldon. “Right away I was hooked. I love the way that the sessions are always different and sort of a surprise–you never really know what you’re going to be getting yourself into. That keeps me interested and motivated.” Jordan, who initially got into CrossFit because he was “bored of the gym,” fell in love with the programme’s sense of community, intensity and the chance to see improvement on a daily basis. The opportunity to lead his own CrossFit community seemed like an obvious choice when they were deliberating their move to Nassau. “The first thing that came to my mind was CrossFit, because I love it. I feel like it’s changing people’s lives,” he said. Having had the chance to make his mark in the local fitness community, he now

feels confident that he and Eldon made the right decision. “The environment is amazing. It’s a bunch of people giving the best of themselves to achieve a goal, and it’s so satisfying when your students get to do that. We offer one hour and one place where people can leave all their problems outside the door, and only their good energy comes into the box.” For Alice Similien, a first time CrossFitter, the experience has offered her the chance to see what she’s really made of. “My favourite part is the challenging workouts. They really push you and when you think they might kill you, you kind of live again. That’s the most motivating part, and Mario is there, cheering you on in the background,” she said. “I had never done this before. When I first walked in, I was like, ‘Uh-oh. What did you get yourself into?’ But I’m enjoying it. Every session is a new and challenging one.” For more information on Happy Hour CrossFit, email info@happyhourcrossfit.com or visit its Facebook page at www. facebook.com/happyhourcrossfit.com. To learn more about CrossFit and whether it could be for you, visit https://www.crossfit.com

MARIO Jordan and Karen Eldon spend their days running Happy Hour CrossFit, a new and fast growing Bahamian-owned CrossFit affiliate.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 11, 2016, PAGE 5

Davis scores 32, Pelicans beat Bucks 112-106 for first win By JOE DiGIOVANNI Associated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) — Anthony Davis hit a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left and scored 32 points, and the New Orleans Pelicans got their first victory after losing their first eight by beating the Milwaukee Bucks 112-106 last night. The Philadelphia 76ers (0-7) are the remaining winless team in the NBA. Jabari Parker scored a season-high 33 points for Milwaukee, which lost its second straight game to a team that was winless. In their last game Sunday, the Bucks fell 86-75 in overtime to Dallas, which was 0-5 coming into that game. E’Twaun Moore added 20 points for New Orleans, playing its third game in four nights. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo had 17 points, 10 rebounds and one assist in 35 minutes. He picked up two early fouls against Dallas on Sunday and never got into a rhythm, and was charged with his fifth foul with 5:53 left in the fourth quarter against the Pelicans. He didn’t return until there was 2:40 left in the game and was

unable to rally his team to victory. Milwaukee used a late 9-4 run to pull within 108-105 on Antetokounmpo’s threepoint play with 40 seconds to go. Terrence Jones then missed a layup in heavy traffic with 25 seconds left, and the Bucks rebounded and called timeout. Matthew Dellavedova made a free throw to cut the New Orleans lead to 108-106, but Davis converted both free throws to make it a two-possession game. Mirza Teletovic missed a running 3-point attempt with 6 seconds left, and Tim Frazier hit a pair of free throws to close the scoring. Frazier had 15 points, 10 assists and five rebounds for New Orleans. Moore made a pair of free throws and hit a 3-pointer with 8:20 left in the third quarter to give the Pelicans their biggest lead of the game, 75-60. Rashad Vaughn’s baseline jumper with 1.2 seconds left cut New Orleans’ lead to 88-81 after three quarters. Davis had 15 points and New Orleans led 61-54 at halftime. The Bucks beat the Pelicans, 117-113 November 1 in New Orleans.

TIP-INS Pelicans: F Cheick Diallo was sent to the Austin Spurs of the NBA Developmental League. Diallo was the 33rd overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. New Orleans led the entire second half. Bucks: The first steel column went up this week during construction of the team’s new arena. Parker made 13 of 26 shots, including a thunderous dunk on a pass from Dellavedova in the third quarter. Dellavedova had 12 assists. A TYPICAL ROOKIE Through the Pelicans’ first nine games, Buddy Hield was averaging 9 points, making only 33 of his first 96 shots (34 per cent). New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry calls Hield, the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, “a typical rookie. He’s trying to feel his way. He’s had some good games for us and he’s had some struggles.” UP NEXT Pelicans: Host the Lakers Saturday. Los Angeles beat New Orleans in all three games last year. Bucks: Host the Grizzlies on Saturday. Memphis has beaten Milwaukee in nine of their last 11 games.

BUCKS’ MILES PLUMLEE, centre, shoots against Pelicans’ Terrence Jones, left, and Dante Cunningham during the first half of last night’s game in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

$2.5m beach soccer complex for the FIFA World Cup 2017

PLANS REVEALED FOR FUTURE OF SPORT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS

FROM PAGE 1 Atlantis, events that pack hotels, flood restaurants, fill taxis, drive shopping and attract an active lifestyle tourist who wants the best of The Bahamas. According to officials, 16 countries will qualify to field full teams for matches that take place over an extended 10-day period with each team bringing a complement of 25 persons or more. Because of the length of the competition, economic benefits are being touted as in the multi-millions of dollars. Bahamas Football Association Secretary General, Fred Lunn, said the stadium will be a permanent structure that has already set the tone for others in the region to follow and has excited the member nations preparing to compete at the venue. “As an organisation, we are very proud to have Bahamians involved in the design and construction of the stadium. It is a permanent stadium, it will not be removed after the event is over which is a huge benefit for us in the Bahamas. The design on this stadium may be copied or duplicated in this region. “We already have a request from Trinidad to look at a similar stadium as Pierre has designed for us and what Cavalier is constructing. It is the first in the Caribbean, there is one other in the region, in El Salvador, but it really doesn’t compare to what we are building here,” he said. “Switzerland has been here already and played in the old stadium a few months ago. President Sealey just travelled to Dubai doing a presentation on this facility. Jason [McDowell, BFA Vice President] and I just completed a workshop in Miami where all the presidents of CONCACAF of the participating countries saw the plans of what we’re doing and they are all excited about it. They

WEB.COM, from page 1 the game’s upper tier, which is more than all but three states in the United States - California, Texas and Florida. “We are excited to announce these two season-opening events in The Bahamas,” said Web. com Tour President Bill Calfee. “Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe was instrumental in allowing us to bring the tournaments to life, and I’m confident that the groundbreaking nature of the tournament structure, coupled with the scenic beauty of The Out

FROM PAGE 1

THE $2.5 MILLION facility, being built at the site of the original complex at Malcolm Park West, will be capable of hosting over 3,000 patrons and equipped with a number of modern amenities. Photo: Shawn Hanna/The Tribune are excited about playing here but more excited about playing on our sand. We have played on some tough sand in the region. Volcanic sand we had to play in El Salvador is very tough to play on. In Europe the sand is different from ours. Believe it or not, our sand is in the process of getting approved. We gave them three different samples and hopefully by the end of this month they will choose the right grain and quality of sand that we can put in this facility.” To supplement the main stadium, a new training facility will also be constructed at Arawak Cay. Islands, will make for a fantastic television product for our fans.” “We are very pleased to host these two PGA Tour-sanctioned events while showcasing the beauty and diversity of The Islands of The Bahamas,” said Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe. “Golf in The Bahamas is unlike anywhere else because of our top-notch hospitality and striking blue waters. Our islands have always been a favourite playground for many of the world’s top golfers and we are now looking forward to becoming a destination of choice among professionals on the Web.com Tour.”

“We want this World Cup to be a Bahamian World Cup, so there was a discussion on where we will put the facility with FIFA, the LOC and government. The determination was to put the facility right next to the fish fry so tourists as well as Bahamians can be very connected with the teams at the training facility so they will have a chance to watch their favourite teams and players prior to the event kicking off. We are getting calls from teams to come in two weeks earlier for the event and that’s a big plus for us and for them to get use to our environment and Sandals Emerald Bay, which was given the prestigious Six Star Diamond Award, is one of 23 properties in seven countries under the Sandals Resorts International umbrella, which includes resorts in Antigua, The Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Turks and Caicos. The resort is one of the top properties in the Sandals brands, boasting 249 rooms and suites among 500 tropical acres with a mile-long white sand beach. Voted the Caribbean’s Best Golf Hotel, Sandals Emerald Bay located in Great Exuma, Bahamas, features a Greg Norman-designed

the playing surface,” he said. “We are hoping to have the facility up in December. The sand will be approved around November 2425 and it will maybe take 2-3 weeks to have that sand acquired and that will be ready to go by December. We need it for our team to train on right now. Our boys need to be on the sand sooner rather than later.” Official information on the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 can be found at fifa. com/beachsoccerworldcup. You can follow Team Bahamas at https://www.facebook.com/ beachsoccer2017 18-hole golf course, in addition to a world-class 150-slip marina, three freshwater pools, seven diverse 5-Star Global Gourmet dining options, unlimited land and water sports, and a lavish 29,000 sq. ft. Red Lane Spa. The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic will be the first PGA Toursanctioned event to be contested at a Sandals property, with the Greg Norman signature course on site serving as host of the seasonopening event. “We are thrilled to welcome the Web.com Tour to our awardwinning, Greg Norman-designed course at Sandals Emerald Bay,

add that this is a matter that the government takes very seriously and with the highest priority. We must recognise that culture and sports are now vital components of the new economic order globally,” Mr Christie said. “As we commit ourselves to centres of excellence in sports and the management of sports academies it is my hope and anti that the government will immediately move to create a great lawn where athletes of our country will be scene to be practicing on this great lawn in the precincts of the university. This is done by universities and colleges in our region and the Bahamas must not be left behind.” Christie said the university’s expansion of these programmes will aide national development by allowing more student athletes to be trained and educated at home. “When in the fullness of time we assess who has done best on the world stage and Olympic games, per capita, the Bahamas invariably takes the position of number one,” he said. “I therefore ask of the university to recognise that your commitment to sports in every island of our country will incentivise students to know that they should aspire to ultimately come to the University of the Bahamas and to know that in doing so, you are helping to unify our country in more meaningful ways.”

recognized as one of the most scenic ocean-side golf courses in the Caribbean,” said Sandals Resorts Chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart. “It’s a gorgeous but challenging course and it will be fun to watch the pros give it their best.” The Abaco Club, which is owned and managed by US-based Southworth Development, will serve as host venue for The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic. Southworth, a leader in the creation of residential resort and hospitalitybranded real estate communities and clubs, manages properties in the United States, the United Kingdom and The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 11, 2016, PAGE 7

Mexico out to end Columbus curse in World Cup qualifying By JUAN ZAMORANO Associated Press

IN a remarkable coincidence, the United States has beaten Mexico 2-0 in all four of their World Cup qualifiers in Columbus, Ohio. In 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2013. Today, they meet in the same place, in another qualifier, and it will be chilly again. Enough is enough, say Mexico. “It is a spectacular oportunity to end this statistic (in Columbus),” coach Juan Carlos Osorio said.

MEXICO GATHERS ALL OF ITS WEAPONS For the qualifiers in the US and Panama, Osorio sought out experienced players, including 14 who play abroad. Notable, was the recall of Carlos Vela from Spain’s Real Sociedad. He hasn’t played for Mexico since 2015. Also back were brothers Jonathan and Giovani dos Santos, who did not play in the Copa America in June. Veteran Rafael Marquez tasted several defeats in Columbus, but had a good feeling this time. “This is a different time, with different

players that will leave the past behind,” Marquez said. US coach Jurgen Klinsmann has drawn on 15 players from the 2014 World Cup. But Clint Dempsey was not available because of cardiac arrhythmia. “This match against Mexico is filled with emotions,” said US goalkeeper Tim Howard, who has blanked Mexico twice in Columbus.

picked youngsters who played at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and reached the semi-finals. Honduras plays visiting Panama on Friday, and two home players to watch are midfielder Romel Quioto and striker Alberth Elis. “Coach Pinto’s experience will be key for our future,” Elis said. In 2013 qualifying, Panama beat Honduras 2-0 and drew away 2-2.

HONDURAS AND YOUNG BLOOD Honduras is seeking its third consecutive trip to a World Cup, and coach Jorge Luis Pinto has

COSTA RICA EXCITED FOR KEYLOR NAVAS Costa Rica’s morale has been boosted by the availability of

goalkeeper Keylor Navas for the qualifiers at Trinidad and Tobago on Friday and against the US on Tuesday. Injuries and club commitments have kept Navas, the Real Madrid ‘keeper, from previous rounds of the qualifiers. “It is always tough to return after injury, but now I am painless and happy,” Navas said as he was welcomed by fans at Costa Rica airport. In the second rotation of World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday, Honduras hosts Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica welcomes the US, and Panama plays against Mexico.

Stenson 1 off the lead after 1st round of Nedbank Challenge

HENRICK STENSON (AP)

SUN CITY, South Africa (AP) — Taking advantage of Rory McIlroy’s absence, Henrik Stenson forged a late charge yesterday to put himself a shot off the lead after the opening round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Stenson can clinch the Race to Dubai title with a victory in South Africa, and three birdies in his last four holes on Day 1 put him in contention for that, and a second Nedbank title. Stenson opened with a 3-under

69, just one behind a three-way tie for the lead made up of Felipe Aguilar, Jeunghun Wang and Ross Fisher. It’s the first year the Nedbank Challenge forms part of the European Tour’s three-tournament final series. The Nedbank follows last weekend’s Turkish Airlines Open, and the season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai is to come next weekend. McIlroy, the Race to Dubai winner the past two seasons, skipped

the Turkish Airlines Open and the Nedbank. McIlroy is 3rd in the standings behind Stenson and Danny Willett. In South Africa, Stenson started with five straight pars and bogeyed No. 6. He picked up shots at Nos. 8 and 9, but really found his groove at Gary Player Country Club late in his opening round. While the British Open champion climbed up the leaderboard, Willett was in trouble after opening with a 3-over 75. The Masters

champion had a triple-bogey eight on the 2nd hole, made four other bogeys, and faces a long haul to get back in contention. At the top, Aguilar set the clubhouse lead with his 68, dropping just one shot and collecting five birdies. Wang and Fisher matched that later in the afternoon, while Stenson was one of seven players a shot behind the leaders. One of them is Alex Noren, the European Tour’s in-form golfer and is seeking a fourth title this season.

THe WeaTHer repOrT

5-Day Forecast

TOday

TOnIGHT

saTurday

sunday

mOnday

Tuesday

Mostly sunny

A moonlit sky

Mostly sunny

Partly sunny

Some sun with a shower in places

Clouds and sun with a quick shower

High: 81°

Low: 70°

High: 81° Low: 71°

High: 82° Low: 71°

High: 83° Low: 70°

High: 82° Low: 70°

AccuWeather RealFeel

91° F

71° F

91°-73° F

87°-73° F

94°-74° F

95°-74° F

OrlandO

High: 80° F/27° C low: 52° F/11° C

Tampa

High: 80° F/27° C low: 59° F/15° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

almanac

aBaCO

High: 82° F/28° C low: 63° F/17° C

3-6 knots

WesT palm BeaCH High: 81° F/27° C low: 62° F/17° C

4-8 knots

FT. lauderdale E

FreepOrT

High: 81° F/27° C low: 66° F/19° C

mIamI

High: 82° F/28° C low: 65° F/18° C

4-8 knots

Key WesT

High: 80° F/27° C low: 71° F/22° C

eleuTHera

nassau

High: 81° F/27° C low: 70° F/21° C

High: 84° F/29° C low: 64° F/18° C

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

4:21 a.m. 4:40 p.m.

3.1 3.0

10:40 a.m. 0.2 10:57 p.m. -0.2

Saturday

5:15 a.m. 5:34 p.m.

3.4 3.1

11:37 a.m. -0.1 11:48 p.m. -0.5

Sunday

6:07 a.m. 6:27 p.m.

3.7 3.2

12:31 p.m. -0.4 ---------

Monday

6:59 a.m. 7:19 p.m.

3.8 3.2

12:39 a.m. -0.7 1:25 p.m. -0.5

Tuesday

7:50 a.m. 8:12 p.m.

3.9 3.1

1:30 a.m. -0.8 2:18 p.m. -0.6

Wednesday 8:43 a.m. 9:06 p.m.

3.8 3.0

2:21 a.m. -0.8 3:11 p.m. -0.5

Thursday

3.7 2.9

3:14 a.m. -0.6 4:06 p.m. -0.4

9:36 a.m. 10:01 p.m.

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:24 a.m. 5:24 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

3:26 p.m. 3:01 a.m.

Full

last

new

First

nov. 14

nov. 21

nov. 29

dec. 7

CaT Island

High: 84° F/29° C low: 65° F/18° C

7-14 knots

8-16 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 82° F/28° C Low .................................................... 62° F/17° C Normal high ....................................... 82° F/28° C Normal low ........................................ 70° F/21° C Last year’s high ................................. 90° F/32° C Last year’s low ................................... 74° F/24° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 48.22” Normal year to date ................................... 36.78”

uV inDex toDay

andrOs

san salVadOr

GreaT eXuma

High: 84° F/29° C low: 66° F/19° C

High: 84° F/29° C low: 70° F/21° C

High: 83° F/28° C low: 67° F/19° C

lOnG Island

insurance management tracking map L

High: 83° F/28° C low: 68° F/20° C

7-14 knots

mayaGuana High: 84° F/29° C low: 71° F/22° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CrOOKed Island / aCKlIns raGGed Island High: 84° F/29° C low: 70° F/21° C

High: 84° F/29° C low: 69° F/21° C

GreaT InaGua High: 85° F/29° C low: 72° F/22° C

8-16 knots

marine Forecast aBaCO andrOs CaT Island CrOOKed Island eleuTHera FreepOrT GreaT eXuma GreaT InaGua lOnG Island mayaGuana nassau raGGed Island san salVadOr

Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

WINDS NW at 4-8 Knots NNW at 3-6 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NNE at 7-14 Knots NNE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots N at 6-12 Knots NNE at 6-12 Knots N at 3-6 Knots ESE at 3-6 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 6-12 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots

WAVES 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 81° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 81° F 81° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 80° F 82° F 82° F 80° F 80° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F

PAGE 8, Friday, November 11, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Tristan Eldon wins Cecil G Cooke Memorial Regatta for second year TRISTAN Eldon this past weekend won the Cecil G Cooke Memorial Regatta for the second year as he continues his dominance in junior sailing in the Optimist Dinghy Class. 2016 was the third year The Bahamas National Sailing School and Nassau Yacht Club have hosted this event. Arranged by Sandra Cooke, this regatta honours the late Cecil Cooke, one of this country’s great sailors who competed with Sir Durward Knowles in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics when they won the first ever gold medal for The Bahamas. Having a great interest in youth sailing, he would have thoroughly enjoyed this weekend’s event, as did all the kids and parents who participated. This regatta has become one of the four major events for junior sailing in The Bahamas, attracting sailors from a number of Family Islands. With 51 participants from New Providence, Harbour Island and Long Island, the results showed just how competitive our young sailors are throughout the country. These juniors, depending on age, size and skill level, raced in different classes/ fleets, such as the Optimist Dinghy Championship Fleet for experienced eight to 15-year-olds, Optimist Green Fleet for beginners, and Sunfish and Laser Radial for older, more advanced sailors. Sailing conditions for this two-day, seven-race regatta were perfect with a 10 knot breeze on the Saturday and 15-18 knots on Sunday from

ON THE HIGH SEAS: Tristan Eldon won the Cecil G Cooke Memorial Regatta for the second year as he continues his dominance in junior sailing in the Optimist Dinghy Class. the northeast. While there are winners of each fleet, the overall winner and sailor whose name is inscribed on the Cecil G Cooke perpetual trophy is the first place finisher in the Optimist Championship Fleet as this is the class in which our jun-

iors begin their sailing. It is the youngest group and because of this, the group Cecil Cooke would have been most supportive of. Eldon, a 14-year-old from Nassau, has won three out of the four major events this last year in the Optimist Class, including the

Optimist National Championships held last month. Close behind him all year has been Isaac Fox from Long Island, who won the Bahamas Junior Olympic Regatta last Spring and has finished second to Eldon in all other events and again finished second to Eldon in

this regatta. Melisha Higgins from Harbour Island finished third. Colin Cartwright from Long Island won the Optimist Green Fleet, with Alexander Ferguson from Nassau second and Gabriel Cartwright from Long Island third.

Luke Knowles from Long Island took top honors in the Sunfish Fleet while his teammate Don Knowles finished a close second. Max Wassitsch from Nassau was third. The Laser Radial class, in which our most advanced sailors compete, was won by Paul de Souza of Nassau, who continues to dominate in the Laser Class. Cochise Burrows finished second and Spencer Cartwright third. Congratulations to all the sailors and a special thank you to Nassau Yacht Club and Bahamas National Sailing School for hosting this event and to Sandra Cooke for arranging it, now among our most popular multiclass junior regattas in the country. On December 3-4, the Bahamas Junior Sailors League Finals Regatta will take place with a six race shoot-out series for the top 20 ranked juniors in the country in both the Optimist and Laser Radial classes. This is an event everyone is looking forward to. It is being sponsored by the Star Sailors League Organisation during their finals event to be held out of the Nassau Yacht Club November 29 to December 4. It is an incredible international regatta in which top sailors in the world compete and is viewed live around the world via the internet. It will also be shown live on a big screen at Montagu Beach as will the Sloops’ Best Of The Best and the Junior Sailors League Finals events.

STAR SAILORS LEAGUE FINALS IN NASSAU ON NOVEMBER 28 THE Star Sailors League Finals 2016 is all set to take place in Nassau November 28 to December 4. For the fourth edition of the event, the top 12 Star teams of the SSL Ranking 2016, and 13 VIPs from the world of sailing are expected to race in the clear blue water in front of Nassau Yacht Club. 50 of the world’s best will be battling to win the SSL Trophy and the biggest share of the $200,000 prize pot. The list of competitors is astounding and SSL is proud to finally announce it. Among them are three of the six most medalled sailors of all time, a total of 16 Olympic medallists with six Olympic champions, two America’s Cup winners, two Volvo Ocean Race Winners, two Louis Vuitton Cup winners and one match race world champion. The complete Rio 2016 Laser Men podium will race together along with four other medallists from Rio. Twenty five teams representing 17 countries will battle it out for five days in the stunning location

of Nassau, Bahamas. Star Sailors League developed in cooperation with some of the most experienced sailors of the world a new racing format - the main goal of the format is to build the tension and excitement of the racing fans. The athletes truly believe that the SSL racing format completely fulfils this objective without spoiling the nature of sailing as a sport. The introduction of a knockout system inspired by the “play-offs” helps to increase the pressure and ends in the ultimate climax, a “winner-takes-all” final day. The regatta will start with the opening ceremony at Government House on November 28 and on Tuesday morning the 25 teams will leave the docks of Nassau Yacht Club and head out to the race course for the Qualifying Series. SSL QUALIFYING SERIES Twenty five teams will take part in multiple races over four days with only the Top 10 making the SSL

BIG EVENT: The 4th Star Sailors League Finals 2016 is all set to take place at Nassau Yacht Club November 28 to December 4. Final Day and no points are carried through but the winner and runner up get a just reward. For the SSL Final Day, the winner of the Qualifying Series gets a double bye, the runnerup in the Qualifying Series gets single bye. SSL FINAL DAY SSL Quarter-Final Teams ranked 3rd-10th from the Qualifying Series contest a single race. Only the top five survive. SSL Semi-Final – The re-

25 TEAMS FOR THE FIRST TIME 1 George Szabo USA Edoardo Natucci ITA 2 Diego Negri ITA Sergio Lambertenghi ITA 3 Xavier Rohart FRA Pierre-Alexis Ponsot FRA 4 Augie Diaz USA Arnis Baltins USA 5 M Kusznierewicz POL Dominik Zycki POL 6 Johannes Polgar GER Markus Koy GER 7 Torben Grael BRA Guilherme de Almeida BRA 8 Robert Stanjek GER Frithjof Kleen GER 9 H Merkelbach GER Claus Olesen DEN 10 Paul Cayard USA Josh Revkin USA 11 J Schümann GER Ingo Borkowski GER 12 Caleb Paine USA Ian Coleman USA 13 Vasilij Zbogar SLO Zsombor Bercez HUN 14 Sime Fantela CRO Antonio Arapovic CRO 15 Tonci Stipanovic CRO Ante Sitic CRO 16 Tom Burton AUS Andrew Palfrey AUS 17 Christensen DEN Steve Milne GBR 18 Sam Meech NZL Craig Monk NZL 19 Robert Scheidt BRA Henry Boening BRA 20 M Mendelblatt USA Brian Fatih USA 21 Eric Monnin SUI Pascal Rambeau FRA 22 Facundo Olezza ARG Frederico Melo POR 23 Jorge Zarif BRA Bruno Prada BRA 24 Nick Thompson GBR Steve Mitchell GBR 25 Taylor Canfield ISV Mark Strube USA

maining five survivors are joined by the runner up from the Qualifying Series to contest a single race. Only the top 3 survive. The SSL Final – The remaining three survivors are joined by the winner from the Qualifying Series to contest a single race. The first to correctly cross the line is the winner. (See diagram below right) The winner will be crowned as winner of the 2016 SSL Finals, together with the biggest share of the prize fund.

LIVE COVERAGE Since our audience is present in all parts of the globe, Internet will be our stadium. From November 29 to December 4, regattas will be streamed live and free on http://finals.starsailors.com. A complete live video stream of the races as well as additional insights provided by the state-ofthe-art tracking system developed by Virtual Eye will allow people from over the world to follow their favourites and cheer for them. Many prestigious sailing websites around the globe

will also share our live broadcast on their homepage. Armchair sailors can also race the course with Virtual Regatta. WHAT’S NEW For the first time the SSL Finals will have 25 teams instead of 20. December 4, the day after the final day and SSL official prize giving ceremony on Saturday evening at Nassau Yacht Club, some SSL sailors will join the local sailors in their annual Sloop regatta in Montagu Bay for a neverseen-before challenge.