Despite a late start to the days’ activities, the 36th Bartica Easter Regatta got off to an electrifying opening at the Golden Beach Circuit yesterday witnessed by a colourful crowd of over three thousand Guyanese including President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Tourism Maniram Prashad, Regional chairman Holbert Knights as well as the respective Presidential Candidates for the PPPC and PNCR, Donald Ramoutar and David Granger.
Dave Young in his winning machine
Spectators and fans were treated to some electrifying Power Boat and Jet Ski races on a sunny but cool day.
Neil Gonsalves of the Pomeroon piloting Cryzie Boy pulled off an exciting win in the first big boat event of the day, 225 to Unlimited defeating Randy Belle in Wave Runner and his uncle Clarence Belle piloting Quicksilver.
The Belle’s usually rule the roost in Power boat racing but Gonsalves was determined to prove that he can compete and that he did in fine style in the 5-lap contest.
The Jet Ski races also brought the crowd alive but were all run in choppy waters as well as two of the Power Boat events. Following are the full results of day 1:
75 – 90HP – Carib (3 laps)
Orin Belle – Iron Charlie
Clint Gonsalves – Miracle
Clarence Belle – No limits 25 – 40 HP – Courts (2 laps)
Dave Young – 316
Clint Gonsalves – Nitousic
Omar Hussain – Pretty Centre
115 – 200HP – Guinness (4 laps)
Sean belle – Quicksilver
Orin belle – Tatianna
Clarence Belle – No Limits 225 – Unlimited – Guyoil (5 laps)
Neil Gonsalves – Czyzie Boy
Randy Belle – Wave Runner
Clarence Belle – Quick Silver 25-40 HP Carib (2 Laps)
Dave Young – 3:16
Omar Hussain – Pretty Centre
Clint Gonsalves – Nitousic 115 – 200HP – MACORP (4 laps)
Clarence Belle – Quicksilver
Stephen Belle – Tatianna
Conan Belle – Sir Conan Jet Ski – De Silva House of Optics (3 laps)
Bobby Rasul
Mark Fagundes
Gavin Gouveia 225 – Unlimited GT&T (5 Laps)
Randy Belle – Wave Runner
Clarence Belle – Quicksilver
Orin Belle – Tatianna Jet Ski – Hopkinson Mining (3 laps)
Hamley Martindale
Mark Fagundes Jet Ski –
Whitney Welcome
Mark Fagundes
Chris Baichan
Apart from aiming for more top finishes on today’s final day, the Champion Racer award and bragging rights are also at stake.