Mirikama wins 58th Annual Easter Regatta Braving Big Winds

The 58th Easter Round the Island Sailing Regatta, sponsored by Harbour House Marina took place as tradition on Good Friday (29th March) and involved seven sailboats of various sizes starting off from within North Sound early in the morning.

With the stronger than expected winds blowing from the north, the first boat to start was Lady Jane at 7.50am battling with Mirikama and Cheers staggered starts at 8.05 am.  The annual regatta is held as a pursuit race with handicaps determining start times and aligning the boats to probable close finish times.

The seasoned captains battled 22-25mph winds gusting and waves up to 8-10 feet. Exiting the main channel was a challenge due to the large swells generated by the Northerly winds that had been blowing in from Cuba the day before.

Mirikama’s skipper Mike Farrington and crew raced to a finish line at Sunset House in six hours and 28 minutes finishing at 2:23pm followed by Arktos in 2nd and Blue Runner in 3rd place.  Cheers and Splendour of the Wind followed close behind with Lady Jane behind them.  Power Play was the only Catamaran entry and concluded the race at 4:10pm. 

Due to small craft warnings the sailors had to forgo the mooring overnight at the finish line on the south coast at Sunset House. Several of the regatta participants circumnavigated 360o around the island in the same day, approximately 62 miles.

The Cayman Islands Committee Race Officer Peta Adams stated “It was a race in challenging conditions and we were happy to hear of the individual tales at the Prize Giving from the skippers.”

Harbour House have been the major sponsor for the event for many years and provided the Top 3 placed boats with engraved trophies and gift certificates. There was also a gallant effort prize for the last boat across the line which was a free haul out and power wash. Sunset House contributed to a well attended prize giving for the 66 brave crew members who made it ashore after the good Friday finish. The regatta route covers 46 miles from North Channel Start clockwise around east end to finish on the south coast at Sunset House.  Following the recorded times the boats then cruise 14 miles beyond seven mile beach to a finish back in north sound.

If any sailors are interested in joining the cruising fleet or seeking lessons they can find more details at www.sailing.ky  or by emailing admin@sailing.ky  or contacting the Cayman Islands Sailing Club 947 7913.