The final day of racing at the 25th Angostura Tobago Sailing Week 2007 dawned on a fleet anxious to head out to the start line off scenic Pigeon Point on the west coast of Tobago. After three previous days of hectic racing and a very relaxing layday, the conditions on Friday were exceptional, 18 – 20 knts, bright sunshine. With many places on the podium still hanging in the balance, and a lot of races to get through, no one could rest on their laurels. It was crucial for everyone to do their best in every race order to secure a winning position.

In the eleven boat Racing Class, Bruggadung II, Paul Christo Johnson’s Benateau 10m, was in pole position on the score board, they tenaciously fought to keep their lead bringing in a 3rd, 4th and finally 1st position in the 3 races. This gave them the overall regatta win for the second year in a row with a total of 20 points followed by Storm, Les Crouch’s Riechel Pugh 44, with 46 points, and High Tension B Mobile, Mumm 36 skippered by David Rostant with 54 points.

A surprising flurry came from outsider, Whistler, the J-105 from Port St Charles, Barbados, owned by Peter Lewis who pulled a rabbit out of the hat on the last day to cadge 1st and 2nd place in the first two races. Apparently the boys had run out of Bajan rum and finally switched to Angostura Black which made all the difference!

Cruiser Racer class was won by Mr. President himself (TTSA’s very own Jerome McQuilkin) aboard Wayward, Oceanis 430. He was anything thing but wayward this week, buckling down first place in 6 out of 8 races to secure 11 points overall. The Bajans are never far behind the Trinis, and Rapajam, Ralph ‘Bruggadung’ Johnson’s Beneteau 53F5, came in a decent 2nd with 17 points keeping Huey Too, Berine Wong’s Cal 40, at a comfortable distance with 28 points. Huey Too is celebrating 40 years on the sea which merited a special prize.

The Cruising Class fleet was in extremely close competition with Business Machine, Brenda Farfan’s, Heritage 36, and Nirvana, the San Juan 34 skippered by Lloyd De Roche, tied in second position at the end of racing yesterday. Both Lloyd De Roche and the skipper of Business Machine, Marsha Farfan, were determined to win today and go home with the prize. The decision was made right from the beginning when Business Machine suffered from a bad start and only managed to get Nirvana in their wake on the last two legs. Although Business Machine got line honors, Nirvana won on corrected time and Rupert Grimshaw’s, VanderStat 36, Merlin came in with a very decent third place. The scores were 7, 9 and 10 respectively.

Even in Charter Class the favorites had to fight to keep up their reputation, with David Downie on his Jeanneau 50, Saga Boy coming in 1st with 6 points followed swiftly by Annie T, Beneteau 50, skippered by Robert Thompson, with 9 points. Alimata 3, Beneteau Cyclades 443, skippered by Renee Portillo, came in 3rd with 12 points just 1 point ahead of Ambrosia, Bavaria 42, skippered by David Byrne. A very close run thing indeed!

The committee were accompanied by Chief Judge Geoffrey Pidduck, Chris Martin his second in command, and Race Officer, James Benoit. The observer for protests was Dave Irwin from Ambition Sailing. All gentlemen are ‘Gentlemen’ in every sense of the word, and it is no wonder that after the last race on the last day, the committee catamaran took off with all colors flying to the Bon Accord blue lagoon for a dip to relax. At dusk they returned to the bay to do the traditional lap of honor through the moorings as crews cheered and blew horns to congratulate them on a job well done. (Starting and finishing 27 races with impeccable timing is no mean feat!)

Having scrubbed up, primped and preened everyone came out to enjoy a final night of fun at the prize giving dinner, seated under the flamboyant trees, overlooking Store Bay. A more delightful ambiance would be hard to find. A terrific dinner of grilled mahi mahi prepared by the Chart House chefs at Crown Point Hotel, was followed by a special live performance by Denise Plummer who geared the crowd up for a night of fêteing under the stars which lasted well into the wee hours.

Event orgainizers are asking all to save the date, The 26th Angostura Tobago Sailing Week Race Week kicks of 11th May, 2008.

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