Bartica Regatta 2K9 Sports Round Up with Franklin Wilson

Apr 13, 2009 Sports

Clarence Belle unstoppable on day 1 of Power Boat racing

Henry De Silva (25-40HP) & Eldon Straughn (Canoe) also shine

Clarence Belle, competing in the 75-90 HP and 115-200HP divisions stormed to 3 firsts and 1 second place on the opening day of the 2009 Bartica Regatta Power Boat & Canoe racing competition, yesterday.

Clarence Belle waving the chequred flag.

Belle, piloting Extreme Performance (name of boat) in the 75-90HP races won both in commanding style at the Golden Beach Circuit on a sunny day when the Christian Community the world over celebrated the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In both contests, Vijai Buckan in command of Russian and Mark Fagundez in control of Jet and Trailer placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Belle, who hails from a family with a rich tradition and history in power boat racing in Guyana, said he is aiming to take the overall champion award by the end of today’s two-day meet.

He was also triumphant in one of the two 115-200HP events, having to settle for the runner-up position to his bigger brother Stephen, in command of Tatianna in the first race on a day which saw thousands of Barticians and lovers of the sport from every part of Guyana including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who declared open the event, Tourism minister Maniram Prashad and hundreds of overseas visitors coming out in colorful apparel to witness an electrifying day of competition.

Settling for third in this event where the Belle’s placed one/two was Peter Miller (Star Craft).

Henry De Silva competing in the 25-40HP in his boat named Passa Passa after having to settle for the runner up spot in the first race to winner Jose‘ Jardine (Bomber), turned the tables on Jardine in the next two to claim victory in both.

Jardine placed 2nd and 3rd in the other two, while Ganesh Singh (Angalam) was 3rd in the first and third events but claimed 2nd in race two.

The Canoe Sprints provided great excitement for the spectators as the competitors who unlike the bigger boats outfitted with engines, had to use their strength and power to paddle their boats from the starting line to the finish.

Eldon Straughn won both of the canoe races.

As it turned out, Eldon Straughn (Makouria Lion) out hustled his challengers relegating Elvis Williams (Rivers View Tiger) and Whitney Welcome to 2nd and 3rd respectively in race one.

Williams was content for 2nd in the second race with Harold May (Kartabo) 3rd.

In the days other event which saw the bigger and more powerful engines competing (225-unlimited) Neil Gonsalves (Czyzie Boy), who hails from the Pomeroon, out powered the competition to win easily from Peter Miller and Stephen Belle.

Today’s final day is expected to be no less thrilling than yesterday’s and spectators are already debating who will win the overall champion accolade.

The Jet Ski Riders will have their turn to show what they’ve got today with action set to get underway from 09:00hrs.

Central upset North to take football title

Central, the pre-game underdog rose to the occasion in style to take the 2009 Bartica Regatta Football title from North Bartica in a tough final via sudden death penalty kicks at the Bartica Community ground on Saturday night.

Captain of Central Simon Lynch (left) collects the winning trophy from Miss Bartica Regatta 2008 Queen, Feanio Richards. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Many of the supporters were there to back North but they were silenced in the end owing to a resilient and robust performance by Central led by their captain Simon Lynch who was named the MVP of the tournament as well as the best goalkeeper.

In the battle for third place, a second half double by Vernon John, guided South to a comfortable 5-0 whipping of the USA based, Red Earth.

John scored in the 56th and 71st minute and hitting one each were Curtis Joseph (16), Mark Richards 4 minutes later and Steve Rahaman in the 60th.

The final game of a well organised and well supported competition was no walk in the park for North who were touted as the winner prior to the game, but Central were not in the mood to go down easy and that they showed.

Ball possession was easy with both teams reverting to the aerial mode of play for the most part and it meant that fitness would have been the key as the game matured.

It was North who drew first blood, Christopher Jones breaking down the middle to hit his shot past Lynch, 25 minutes on.

This advantage to North never dampened the spirits of the resilient Central who continued to match their opponents in attack and defence. Goals were very hard to come by as the battle progressed but it was Central who gradually turned the heat up on North in the second half.

The old adage, ‘constant banging broke the wall of Jericho’ was apt in this situation as North never gave up the search for the equaliser. They were justly rewarded for their dominance 8 minutes before full time, Leon Canterbury banging the ball into the back of the nets.

The ensuing period of extra time did not break the deadlock with penalty kicks the next move. After the first five, the scores were locked at 4 each and at sudden death penalty kicks, Central Scored with Lynch capping a fine evening for his team by saving North’s shot.

The winners pocketed $100,000, runners-up $60,000 and 3rd place $40,000.

Swimming

In a competitive River Swim from Kaow Island to Bartica across the Essequibo River, Dorian Andries outsmarted Lloyd Ward and Kelvin May to claim the top spot yesterday morning.

Dorian Andries

A large gathering turned out to witness their athletes in competition and cheered them along as they approached the finish line.

Taking top honours on the distaff side was Donica Summerson ahead of Shelly Deamil and Latoya Culpepper.

Competition was not easy as the strong currents across the river resulted in the swimmers having to work hard to stay on course.

Donica Summerson

Athletics

The road race around the Island attracted 32 competitors and according to organiser Calmeth Young, the Saturday morning event was very satisfying. Young singled out for special mention, 9 year-old Derick Williams who placed 10th overall from a field of 22 male competitors. The youngest female participant was 11 year-old Brianna Beckles.

Taking the male division was Donovan Washington, Samuel December and Shane Rahaman, 2nd and 3rd.

The oldest male athlete was 54 year-old Ivelaw Lovell while 65 year-old Elaine Stephens was the oldest female to take part.

Lesa Lisson copped the first place trophy among the open females with Alexis Chappelle taking second and Melanie Gonsalves, third.