Pounding rains, choppy seas and intense competition all made for an exciting first day of the 2011 United Insurance Match-Racing Cup, for J24 yachts, in Carlisle Bay yesterday.
These conditions severely tested the skills of sailors contesting the two-day event, particularly during the first ten elimination races, as white rains and high winds added to the challenges of ocean-racing.
After 20 elimination races yesterday, favourites Isis, sponsored by JADA, Bunga Bunga and Hawk Eye had already secured semi-final places going into the final day, today. Maximum, Impulse and Esperanza were the major contenders for the last two semi-final spots.
Isis, skippered by Nicholas Lashley, is the defending champion while Hawk Eye, skippered by Robert Povey, was the losing finalist last year.
The United Insurance Cup is organized by the J-24 Club of Barbados and is emerging as one of the biggest ocean-racing events for regional J24 yachts.
“We went all the way to the final last year and came up short but we intend to turn the tables this weekend. We are ready to take on all comers,” said Hawk Eye’s Povey.
Tactician of Isis, Gregory Webster, said his crew was aiming to reach the final again and successfully defend its title.
“Our intention is to defend our title and take out all pretenders.
“Match-racing brings out the competitive best of our sailors,” said Webster, also president of the J-24 Club. (BA/PR)
