Sailors conquer light winds

NOT EVEN LIGHT WINDS could dampen the spirits of yachtsmen on the final day of the Mount Gay Rum Round Round Barbados Race series.

Despite generally light airs with winds reaching no more that 15 knots, three teams were still able to win their skipper’s weight in rum for breaking records in the 79th version of the event, which climaxed late Wednesday, Errol Barrow Day.

The Double Handed Monohull record for the 60-nautical mile course went to Dave Staples on Hallucine  with a time of 07:29:51. Staples, who chartered the boat especially for the event, beat his own  record.

Local boat Conviction, the TP52 sailed by Paul Johnson, Clint Brooks and team representing the Barbados Offshore Sailing Syndicate, completed a superb week, taking the 60-foot and Under Monohull record with a time of 6:07:06, while the well-sailed One Design J/24 record went to Jason Tindale and his young local team on College Funds. (BA/PR)

Please read the full story in today’s Weekend Nation, or in the eNATION edition.