Sunday, December 13, 2009

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Plans underway for the 'Massacre' By SHELDON LONGLEY ~ NG Sports Editor ~ slongley@nasguard.com: For the past 22 years, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre featuring the 'Catch Me If You Can' race has been one of the signature events on the local sporting calendar, and next year it will be run simultaneously as what is expected to be another grand phenomena, Marathon Bahamas. It's still about two months away, but event organizer Eleazor 'Barber J' Johnson said that plans are well underway. He said that next year's regatta, the 23rd annual event, will be as spectacular as ever, and with marathon running returning to The Bahamas for the first time in many years, Sunday, February 14 will truly be one of the grandest sporting days of the year. "This has been one of the most popular sporting events in the country over the past 20 years and we expect the same next year," said Johnson. "Between Marathon Bahamas and the St. Valentine's Day Massacre I expect about 70,000 people to either be lined up on the streets or out at Montagu. It's just going to be a great sporting day for The Bahamas. There are Bahamians who like distance running and then there are Bahamians who just love sailing so the two events on one day should provide a lot of excitement," he added. The St. Valentine's Day Massacre will feature three C-Class races and optimist class races on Saturday, February 13, 2010, and then the following Sunday, the much anticipated 'Catch Me If You Can' race will be held. According to Johnson, some of the A-Class sloops which are expected to compete in the 'Catch Me If You Can' race, are the re-built Lady Muriel, the Tida Wave, the Rupert's Legend, the New Courageous, Redstripe, Who Dat, Good News and the Southern Cross. He said that it was their intention to attract some of the top A-Class sloops in the country so that that there could be no question that the B-Class sloop Lady Nathalie competed with the best and came out on top. "All-in-all we are looking for about eight to nine A-Class sloops to compete. It should be a good tune up for the National Family Island Regatta in George Town, Exuma," said Johnson, who is also the owner of the Lady Nathalie. "On Saturday about 10-15 C-Class sloops would compete in three races and then about 20 kids from the Nassau Yacht Club will compete in the optimist races. That along with the C-Class races should provide some excitement on Saturday and then we have the big one on Sunday - the 'Super Bowl' of sailing," he continued. "People will come from all over The Bahamas and Jamaica to see this one," he added. Once again, Clyde Rolle will be at the n See Massacre on C2 tiller for the Lady Nathalie at this event. He has been sailing the popular B-Class sloop for the past 10 years. The 'Catch Me If You Can' race which features some of the top A-Class sloops in the country trying to catch the Lady Nathalie, was won by the Lady Nathalie this past year. "This year I won but last year I lost to the Redstripe. I am still up by two so I'm feeling pretty good about that," said Johnson. "This event just continues to get bigger and bigger and this year should be no different. I think might need about a half hour head-start this time because it's now a 10-mile course and it used to be a seven-mile course. With a half hour head-start, I have no doubt that the Lady Nathalie would come out on top. She is looking as good as ever and is ready to go. She is in excellent condition. I know it's going to be hard to win but I fast. Once the Lady Nathalie sailing well, no one could catch her. I am like a rabbit on the water. If you catch the rabbit, then you deserve to win," he added. With no plans announced as yet for a New Year's Regatta, Johnson's event might just be the first sailing event of the new year. He said that at next year's event, it is their intention to recognize some of the sponsors who helped them start the event 22 years ago such as Wallace Auto Parts, Jiffy Cleaners, Gardiner Quality Super Market and Hanna's Hardware. "We had a lot of sponsors over the years and we are grateful to all of them," he said. "Butler and Sands was there for us for 17 years - we couldn't have gotten to this point without them. This is an event that must go on because it's like a fixture in Bahamian sports. There are people who just won't let the event die. Some sailors would sail for nothing and that's the kind of spirit we need to keep the event alive. "We also want to something in honor of Sir Durward Knowles, who was one of the original race directors and is lending a helping hand in terms of sponsorship. Also, I have to thank the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for its assistance." In conclusion, Johnson said that next year's event will definitely be one that Bahamians wouldn't want to miss. He anticipates that six local radio stations will provide coverage of the event. Friday, December 10, 2009