Corozal Bay, Corozal District. Dawn of Sunday 27th February broke over the waters of Corozal Bay revealing 4 marker buoys bobbing excitedly on the white capped waves as nine Pico, Lasers were being returned to the Bay from the previous day’s practice. The regatta was part of the Corozal Water Festival and Expo, organized by a committee headed by Rick Rosalez.
The BFATC Picos were brought to the Bay the previous day by road on a flat bed truck provided by Maheia’s United.
The Douglas Gabourel trailered his Hunter 14 from Honey Camp Lagoon.
Two Hobie Cats sailed in from the Consejo Yacht Club, arriving on a run in the ever freshening south easterly breeze.
Trent Miller from Caye Caulker provided coaching and Andy Aspinall race supervision.
Sea Scouts, Liberty Children Home participants, parents and friends arrived on the Liberty Children’s Home Bus from Belize City 90 miles from the south. Observers included the Chairman of the Baron Bliss Harbor Regatta Committee E D Flowers. Other nationalities partaking were depicted by country flags for: Canada, Germany, UK and USA.
Soon Rainbow Park at the North end of Corozal Town began to fill with hundreds of people and with the BBQ and tacos stalls in full swing and the shore side official ceremony completed, the races began. Gilharry Seven providing music, several stage activities including the mauga-man contest kept spectators entertained between races as did banana boat rides.
The weather held throughout: popcorn clouds, blue skies and wild water in the Bay! Lots of children and adults were fascinated with the Regatta. Many had come expecting to see Optimist!
Results:
Multihull
First Place. HC Helgoland in a time of 36 minutes
Gerhard Cordts, Barry Fitzgerald, Jim Maltais and Trenton Miller
Second Place. HC Catty Dread in a time of 37 Minutes 5 Seconds Jason Pierce, Perry Chow, Dan Morey and James Boyd.
Doubles Class
1st Andy & Zoey Aspinall in a time of 17 Minutes 40 Seconds
2nd Richard Archer & Lucy Tuyub in a time of 20 Minutes.
3rd Roberto Pott & Austin Lorenzo in a time of 20 minutes 30 Second
Hunter 14 Class
1st Wilson Logan & Orlando Pineda in a time of 21 minutes and 5 seconds
Pico Class
1st Andy Aspinall in a time of 17.05
2nd Ron Fioole 18.10
3rd Wilson Logan 20.40
4th Mark Rodriguez
5th Trenton S Miller
6th Roberto Pott
Next event is the Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta on Sunday 6th March at the BTL Park.