Home News Local news Thanksgiving Regatta Aiming to be Best Yet

Thanksgiving Regatta Aiming to be Best Yet

0

Nov. 14, 2005 – The Coral Bay Thanksgiving Regatta may be the best yet, according to Commodore Dave Conro.
The 24th annual Coral Bay Thanksgiving Regatta will be held in Coral Harbor. All post-race parties will be at Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant. The event is sponsored by the Coral Bay Yacht Club.
The event brings out both casual and competitive boaters. It's too soon to tell exactly who will show up, but sailors from St. John, St. Thomas and occasionally Tortola usually participate.
Shirley Reid, who is handling the publicity for the event, said such stalwarts as Les Anderson on Penelope, Lewis Alexander on Indigo and Morgan McDonald on Ushuaia plan to race.
Anderson said this year will be special because he's going to race against Taurus, a sister ship to his 35-foot custom-built Penelope. And he said that the Taurus' original owner, St. John resident Augie Holland, will be on board Taurus.
Anderson said that the event brings out sailors who "lie, challenge and belittle everything they can" all in the name of fun.
"It's a wonderful time for sailors," he said.
Boat registration runs $40, with the proceeds going to help fund Kids and the Sea program activities and to help pay expenses for Nathan Geiger. He was injured in the Oct. 29 attack and arson that killed his father, David Geiger. The elder Geiger had participated in the regatta for many years.
On Nov. 25, gaff-rigged boats and single-handers take to the seas in various classes.
Nov. 26 sees crewed cruisers, racing boats and multihulls setting off from Coral Harbor.
Skipper's meetings start at 9 a.m. both days. The awards ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 26 at Skinny Legs with Hudson and the HooDoos playing.
Shirley Reid, who is handling publicity for the event, said that people who want to watch the race should "get yourself situated" by Shipwreck Landing for the best vantage point of the starts. To see the boats during the race, the Calabash Boom area provides a good view.
Last year, 45 boats participated. However, Reid said that Liberty, an Alden 52 that competed and won in her class for many years, won't participate this year. Her skipper, Fletcher Pitts, died last year and the boat needs repairs.

Back Talk

Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here