By DAHALIA SMITH, NG Sports Reporter, dahalia@nasguard.com

"Who dat say who dat when I say who dat?"

This is the question that Cat Islanders will be asking when their A-class sloop 'Who Dat' represents them at the 52nd Cat Island Regatta set to be held August 1-4 in honor of Wilberforce Seymour.

Seymour is a past president of the Cat Island Regatta Committee. According to the current President Maxwell Burrows, he expects this year's major regatta to be the best ever. The A, B and C-class sailors will be handsomely rewarded as fashion tycoon and former Olympian Peter Nygard pledged $15,000 toward the cash prizes. In addition, the cash pot increased an extra $3,000, as Joseph Dogeandanovich donated this amount toward the first A-class cup race at a press conference held at Sailor's Choice Millennium Countdown.

"We have not had this kind of support in a very long time, so we want everyone to come on down as there will be lots of exciting activities. We plan to stage domino tournaments and bikini contests. Artists such as Elon Moxey, Terez Hepburn, Ancient Man and KB will also be performing," said Burrows. "Also, all eyes will be on our hometown boat 'Who Dat' which was partially built by a Cat Islander, Daniel Seymour. Our former president will also be there. He was a skipper who donated a boat to one of the local schools. We will soon put a junior program in place in Cat Island so that the youth can learn how to sail," he added.

With this being a major regatta, A, B and C-class action will be held and points will be awarded toward the Baha Mar Boat of the Year (BOY) competition. The BOY awards ceremony is usually held at the end of the regatta season, and last year in particular, Baha Mar gave $35,000 toward the cash prizes.

This year, the total contribution reportedly will be close to that sum.

The most recent major sailing event was the 15th All Andros and Berry Islands Regatta held in honor of native, David Romer from July 10-13 in Morgan's Bluff. Since then, the Boat of the Year unofficial standings have been updated and the Cat Island sloop, 'Who Dat', is poised to take the lead if she sails well next weekend. 'Who Dat' was third heading into the All Andros and Berry Islands Regatta behind the 'Good News' and 'Red Stripe'.

With a fourth place overall finish at the most recent regatta, 'Who Dat' maintained her third place position with 29 points in bid for the BOY top award. The defending champion, 'Good News' remains in the lead winning 15 points to add to her 20 points for a total of 35. Sitting in second is the 2008 All Andros champion, 'Red Stripe' with 33 points after also winning 15 points two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, competition in the B-class is also heating up. Before the All Andros Regatta the 'Eudeva' led in the BOY standings with 37 points, the 'Cobra' was second with 26 points and the 'Queen Drucilla' was third with 21 points.

Heading into the Cat Island Regatta, the 'Eudeva' remains in the lead with 50 points as it won 13 points two weeks ago, 'Ant's Nest' is now in second place with a total of 39 points as it recently won 18 points and 'Queen Drucilla' remains in third with 38 points as it won 21 points lately. The 'Eudeva', 'Ant's Nest' and 'Queen Drucilla' confirmed their attendance to the Cat Island Regatta.

Meanwhile, the leader in the C-class and defending champion, the 'Lady Eunice' opted not to attend the Cat Island Regatta as it will support her hometown Black Point/Rolleville regatta. Nonetheless, the 'Lady Eunice' after winning in Andros remains in the lead with 43 points, Sandi Treco's 'Sweet Island Gal' is second with 36 points and 'Chaser' jumped from sixth place before the Andros Regatta to third place with 22 points.

The other regattas which are scheduled for the Emancipation Day Holiday weekend are the Acklins/Crooked Island Regatta, from July 31 - August 2 and the Black Point/Rolleville Regatta, also from July 31 - August 2.

In related news, the Cat Island Regatta Committee will host a boat cruise onboard the Sea Wind this Saturday night. The boat departs at 8:00 p.m. and the Lassie Doe Boys Rake N' Scrape band is expected to perform. Tickets may be purchased at $15 and it will cost $20 at the dock.

Interested persons may contact Samuel Smith at 364-0483 or Patsy Strachan at 324-8576.