The Race within a race, which featured five Tortola Sloops, pitched the Premier up against the Governors Representative, Vincent Wheatley on Esmie, the newest Sloop to join the fleet, built by Leando Nibbs from Sea Cows Bay, with a crew of John Shirley and Dwayne Smith. Photo: Provided

Overall winners in the Regatta were Intrepid skippered by Martin Van Houten and Dale Durant. Second Place went to Youth Instructor with Karl Dawson, Jamel Davies and Wellington “Butch” Romney on board whilst Third Place was a Tie between Sea Moon and Esmie. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The winning time for the Premier and his crew of Elvet Myers, Elmore Stoutt and Lenette Lewis was six minutes and nine seconds. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

One of the sloops going with the wind. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Seamoon ready to go back in the water. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Intrepid on the left and Youth Instructor on the right being prepared to race. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The Great Festival Sloop Shootout and Heritage Regatta will be taking place on Tuesday August 5, 2014, in Road Town Harbour, featuring five Tortola Sloops and the traditional race between the Premier’s Sloop and that of the Governor. Above is Leando Nibbs' new Sloop, Esme. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The Race within a race, which featured five Tortola Sloops, pitched the Premier up against the Governor's Representative, Vincent Wheatley on Esmie, the newest Sloop to join the fleet, built by Leando Nibbs from Sea Cows Bay, with a crew of John Shirley and Dwayne Smith.

The winning time for the Premier and his crew of Elvet Myers, Elmore Stoutt and Lenette Lewis was six minutes and nine seconds.

“The Race was fun,” commented Dr. Smith. “I like sailing and enjoyed myself today.”

Overall winners in the Regatta were Intrepid skippered by Martin Van Houten and Dale Durant. Second Place went to Youth Instructor with Karl Dawson, Jamel Davies and Wellington “Butch” Romney on board whilst Third Place was a Tie between Sea Moon and Esmie.

The Sloop, Endeavour II, built by the Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society also participated in the 2nd Race from Road Town Harbour to Nanny Cay which marked her debut in the event, making a record number of five sloops.

“Race One stayed within the Harbour and was the Traditional Race between the Premier and the Governor and was clearly won by the Premier for his 6th win in the 11 years of the Event,” commented Geoffrey Brooks, Regatta Race Director.

Van Houten, skipper of Intrepid, led home Esmie and then Youth Instructor in the 2nd Race.

“There was a little bit of a swell and the wind was up, but we were off the wind and rolling down the waves” he noted.

“We did have a lot of gusty winds and were overpowered sometimes. Off the Wind and once passed the Harbour Marker it was kind of nice!”

See previous story published on August 1, 2014:

Sloop shootout to take place on Tuesday 

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Great Festival Sloop Shootout and Heritage Regatta will be taking place on Tuesday August 5, 2014, in Road Town Harbour, featuring five Tortola Sloops and the traditional race between the Premier’s Sloop and that of the Governor.

Originally racing was to have taken place this Saturday August 2, 2014 as well, but with the effects of Tropical Storm Bertha an unknown variable the decision was made, wisely, to postpone the event until hopefully calmer waters and less winds prevail.

The five Sloops entered, with a sixth, Moonbeam, in the yard being overhauled, include Seamoon, Youth Instructor, Intrepid, Esme and Endeavour.

Esme, built by Leando Nibbs from Sea Cows’ Bay will be entering the races for the first time; Youth Instructor is the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) Sloop and Endeavour, the one rebuilt by the Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society.

According to Geoffrey Brooks, the main organizer of the Regatta, “There will be two races on Tuesday starting at 10.00am, with Race one will around the Harbour, whilst Race two will see the Sloops do a loop of the Harbour and then bear down the Sir Francis Drake Channel to a finish at Nanny Cay.”

The Awards and Presentations will also take place at the finish.

Race one will be the shootout between the Premier, Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith and Vincent Wheatley on behalf of the Governor.

Mr. Brooks has yet to finalise which boat will be skippered by either Captain, but commented, “The Premier is usually aboard Seamoon, but we will have to wait and see how Esme sails and then maybe she will be entered.”

To best view the Races, vantage points are along the front of the Admin building, by the Ferry Dock, across from Pussers or even at the Queen Elizabeth Park.

The Water Sports festivities are being staged at the park after Jouvert and will be a fun filled location from which to enjoy a nostalgic step back in time as the Sloops go sailing by.