Local Yachtsman takes the Big Prize at Grenada Sailing Festival 2012

ST GEORGE’S, February 1, 2012 - Grenadian yachtsman Robbie Yearwood in his J24 yacht Die Hard, the smallest boat in the fleet, finished triumphant after four days of fiercely competitive racing and took the prize of Overall Festival Winner 2012.

This was an extremely popular result, welcomed by all participants, as Robbie notched up six first places and one second place over the Festival’s seven race series - just one point short of the perfect result.

Robbie and his crew also won the True Blue Bay Resort Pursuit Race, making him the man to beat at the Grenada Sailing Festival Camper & Nicholsons Racing Series 2012.

Robbie’s prize, a Jeroboam of Moet & Chandon Champagne, the North South Wines Moet & Chandon Trophy, two British Airways return tickets to London, a bottle of Mount Gay 1703 and a bottle of 18 Year Old Chivas Regal was presented by the Honourable Peter David, Minister of Tourism, at the final night Gala Party staged at The Victory Bar, Port Louis Marina.

The Minister thanked all participating yachtsmen for coming to Grenada, and emphasised the significant contribution they make to the island. He went on to say that the Marine and Yachting Sector is a vital part of the economy and events such as the Grenada Sailing Festival are important in encouraging more skippers and crews to visit and experience the wonderful racing waters and marina facilities on offer.

The prizes for the Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Race Series, the final day’s race, were also presented by Mr Simon Stiell, Director of the Grenada Board of Tourism. The full results were as follows:

MULTIHULL	Yacht Name	Skipper
Class Prize	Rush	Chris Long

CHARTER	Yacht Name	Skipper
Class Prize	My Mistress	Robert Mills

CRUISING 2	Yacht Name	Skipper
First Place	Die Hard	Robbie Yearwood
Second Place	Bloody Mary	Jerry Stewart
Third Place	Apero	Jason Fletcher

CRUISING 1	Yacht Name	Skipper
First Place	Jaguar	Peter Morris
Second Place	Boxxer	Scott Watson
Third Place	Diamonds Are Forever	Anne O’Sullivan

RACING	Yacht Name	Skipper
First Place	Lost Horizon	James Dobbs
Second Place	Category 5	Richard Syzjan
Third Place	Slippery	Peter Peake

The cumulative results were also announced for the final positions after the four days of racing in each Class: Racing, Cruising 1, Cruising 2, Charter and Multihull, with the Overall Class Winners receiving a Magnum of Champagne courtesy of North South Wines, a unique Grenada Sailing Festival trophy designed by Rene Froehlich and a bottle of 18 Year Old Chivas Regal. Results were:

MULTIHULL	Yacht Name	Skipper
Class Prize	Rush	Chris Long

CHARTER	Yacht Name	Skipper
Class Prize	My Mistress	Robert Mills

CRUISING 2	Yacht Name	Skipper
First Place	Die Hard	Robbie Yearwood
Second Place	Rasmus	Dieter Huppenkothen
Third Place	Apero	Jason Fletcher

CRUISING 1	Yacht Name	Skipper
First Place	Jaguar	Peter Morris
Second Place	Boxxer	Scott Watson
Third Place	Diamonds Are Forever	Anne O’Sullivan

RACING	Yacht Name	Skipper
First Place	Lost Horizon	James Dobbs
Second Place	Slippery	Peter Peake
Third Place	Blackberry Enzyme	Paul Solomon

Another Festival tradition for the final night is to present skippers and crews with a great selection of special prizes donated by local hotels, restaurants and tour companies. These are fun and not related to results over the finish line, times or places in the fleet – they are a big thank you to everyone who entered, and a chance to experience more of the island.

Company	Prize	Yacht Name	Skipper
Spice Island Beach Resort	2 Nights Accommodation	Great Escape of Southampton	Phil Munday
Laluna	Balinese Massage	Pipaluk	Francesco Massaro
Maca Bana	4 nights Accommodation	Tanga Langa	Richard Jerrom
La Source	2 Nights Accommodation	Bruggadung	Paul Johnson
Le Phare Bleu	Dinner for 2 on the ship	Bloody Mary	Jerry Stewart
Le Phare Bleu	2 Nights Accommodation	Shambhalla	Herve Pugin
Mt Cinnamon	3 Nights Accommodation	Jaguar	Peter Morris
First Impressions	Whale watching for 2	Spirit of Isis	On Deck
Mount Gay	Bag of goodies & Rum	Spirit of Isis	On Deck
Charcoals	Meal Vouchers	Apero	Jason Fletcher
Mount Gay	Bag of goodies & Rum	Apero	Jason Fletcher
Adventure Tours	River Tubing for 10	Diamonds Are Forever	Girls for Sail
BBs Crabback	Meal for 2	Cricket	Sandy Mair
Horizon Yacht Charters	Charter	Lost Horizon	James Dobbs
Spice Island Marine Services	Haul-Out	Rasmus	Dieter Huppenkothen
Spice Island Marine Services	Haul-Out	Tulaichean 2	Mike Bingley
First Impressions	1/2 day sail and snorkelling for 2	Kotari	Chris Clark
Belmont Estate	Lunch for 4	Kotari	Chris Clark

The Festival was hailed as a great success by all skippers and crews who took part, many already booking their place on the start line for the next event, which will take place from Friday 25 January to Tuesday 29 January 2013. As this will be a milestone event celebrating the 20^th Grenada Sailing Festival, the planning has already started to make it the best ever.

Grenada Sailing Festival wishes to thank all its sponsors and supporters on board already for 2012: the Grenada Board of Tourism; Camper & Nicholsons Marinas; ScotiaBank; United Insurance; Mount Gay Rum with agent Bryden & Minors; Budget Marine; True Blue Bay Resort; The Moorings; The Victory Bar & Restaurant; North South Wines; SOL EC Ltd.; Grenada Breweries Ltd.; GBN; LIME; Chivas Regal; British Airways; Horizon Yacht Charters; Spice Island Marine Services; Grenada Union of Teachers Co-Op Credit Union; Insurance Consultants Grenada Ltd; Island Dreams Yacht Services; Turbulence Ltd.; Steele’s Auto Supplies; Harris Paints (Barbados) Ltd.; Coca Cola; Real Value IGA; Grenlec; Glenelg Spring Water; Spice Isle Fish House; Country Cold Store; Courts; Marketing & National Importing Board; Mitchell’s Health & Wellness; Spice Island Fireworks and unique trophies from Rene Froehlich, Passion Furniture Design.

SOURCE: Grenada Sailing Festival