Clint Gonsalves & Gordon DaSilva shine on Day 1

Apr 09, 2012 Sports

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– Scott, Young, Randy Belle, Baichan & Rasul also win

Stories & photos by Franklin Wilson in Bartica

Bartica Regatta 2012 Round-up

Power Boat Races
Despite not being able to run off as many events on the opening day as in the past due to the falling tide, fans were treated to some exciting action on day one of the 2012 Regatta Power Boat Racing competition taking place at Golden Beach, Bartica.
Watched by large and colourful crowd on a sunny and windy day, Pomeroon’s Clint Gonsalves was the toast of the day posting two victories and a 2nd, competing in both the 75-90HP and 25-40HP events piloting different boats.
Also a double winner on a day that saw His Excellency President Donald Ramoutar and Leader of the Opposition David Granger both gracing the event with their presence was Jet Ski competitor, Gordon DaSilva who also chalked up two wins and a second place.
DaSilva rebounded from a minor accident in the first of four Jet Ski races which ended his participation abruptly {in that race}, to brush aside his opposition in the next two but had to settle for the runner-up position to a determined Bobby Rasul in the final event of the day.
The day was cut short due to choppy waters and the slothfulness of competitors in reporting to the starting line for the commencement of races. The shortened day was compounded by a late start by one and a half hours.
Despite those challenges, fans, supporters and visitors (overseas & local) enjoyed a wonderful day of racing which saw some very competitive events, especially in the 25-40HP events.
As the Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford had promised, the day commenced after the official opening by Mr. Granger, with the 225 to Unlimited event, which is always the most anticipated contest, where the big boys come out to show their power.
Facing starters orders were Dave Scott piloting Jaguar, Wave Runner (Randy Belle), Quick Silver (Sean Belle), Lightening (Clarence Belle), Miracle (Jerome Parks) and Pomeroon’s Neil Gonsalves in command of Czyzie Boy.
The race started in a burst of speed with each competitor eager to show their power but mere seconds into the race, after Scott whose boat is of international standard and equipped with one of the best engines sped into the lead, all the other competitors encountered challenges of varying sorts.
Scott maintained and increased his advantage with Randy Belle opting not to push his engine too much, cruising through the race in a distant second place. Scott on the final straight also suffered some engine problems which he was able to rectify and eventually claimed the win. Initially, it looked as if Randy Belle was the winner after overtaking Scott, but that was later rectified by the officials with Belle finishing second to Scott, no other competitors finished that opening event which attracted a first prize of $60,000 sponsored by Aruwai Mining, Belle won the Guyana Beverage Inc. prize of $40,000 in the 5-lap contest.
Clint Gonsalves in the next event (75-90HP), aboard Miracle sounded a stern warning to the Belle {traditional powerhouse of Bartica Regatta} clan and the rest of the Bartica crew that the Pomeroon contingent was there to take care of business this year as he romped to a comfortable win following a ding dong battle with Dave Young who was in charge of 3:16.
Young, in somewhat challenging waters made some super turns on the course but eventually had to settle for the third place after encountering some engine jitters, Orin Belle in Iron Charlie overtook him to steal the runner-up position to Gonsalves.
The Pomeroon connection continued to rule the roost with Gonsalves once again romping to another victory in the 25-40HP clash, this time in command of Nitrousic. Young, once again in charge of 3:16 had to settle for the second place with Omar Hussein (Pretty Centre) claiming 3rd in the event that attracted 6 starters.
In another big boys clash, 115-200HP (5-laps), Randy Belle came good to stamp his authority on the field in chalking his first win of the day; Sean Belle (Quicksilver) took the 2nd spot with Sherwin Joseph in charge of Mackeson settling for 3rd.
The other speed boat event of the day saw Young turning the tables on Gonsalves in another keen contest which went for 3-laps.
In the Jet Ski events which numbered four (4), Gordon DaSilva took two wins and a second, rebounding after a dismal start in the first race which was won by Chris Baichan (2-laps) followed by Gavin Gouveia and Don King in that order.
Two of the six Jet Ski’s had a minor accident due to the choppy waters on the first turn of this race which is run on a shorter course to the power boats. DaSilva won races two and three, Leon Garraway was 2nd and Gouveia 3rd in race two while Garraway repeated with Rasul 3rd in the next.
Rasul rebounded in fine style to win the final event of the day ahead of DaSilva and Garraway in that order.
Events are expected o get underway with the big boys at 09:00hrs today, the final day to capitalize on the smooth nature of the water which will get choppy as the tide falls with the progression of the day.
The Bartica Regatta committee is extending gratitude to the following sponsors for their contributions which has enabled this year’s activities to be a success.
His Excellency President Donald Ramoutar and Office of the President, Minister Irfan Ali, D&C Promotions, AJ’s Promotions, Aruwai Mining, Banks DIH, Ansa Mc al Trading, GT&T, Digicel, Guyana Oil Company, Grace Kennedy Services, Rickey Ramnarine, Ivor Allen, Scotia Bank, Mahadeo’s Investment, Hand in Hand Insurance Company, Courts Guyana, Bartica Service Station, Mings Products & Services, Camies Boat & Transportation, Sir’s Service Station, Khamechand Jewellery, D Factor Guest House & Guided Tours, Ei Dorado Trading, Atkinson’s Trading, Anto’s General Store, Prakash Hangout, Ann Jones, Lions Club of Bartica, Officer & Staff – Mazaruni Prisons, Officer & Staff – Bartica Police Station.

Road Race

Rahaman, Lovell, Cummings, Dean & 69-year-old Elane Stephens are category winners

The 2012 sports programme for Bartica Regatta 2K12 got off to an encouraging start yesterday morning just outside the Police Station with the annual Road Race which has become one of the signature events of the Regatta calendar.

In overcast conditions with light drizzles, Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford sent the runners on their way at about 06:35hrs. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Alfred King was also on hand, with many of the view that he was going to compete with his athletic look, but he didn’t.
Conditions were ideal for the event which saw 18-year-old Shane Rahaman emerging as the winner of the open category, comfortably.
And while many felt that the younger starters would have dominated the event, the elderly had other ideas, as they had a point to prove that age was definitely just a number. Fifty-six year-old Ivelaw Lovell did not only win the Over-50 class but came in 2nd overall and was applauded by the small but appreciative gathering at the finish line which was also the starting point.
Third overall was 35-year-old Patrick Cummings with 44-year-old Harold May finishing fourth.
Arthur Ward was the second to cross the line among the Over-50s with 70-year-old John Sankar 3rd.
The Under-15 division went to 12-year-old Colin May with Jumain Finch crossing the line in second place. Eight-year-old Kristoff ruled the roost in the Under-10 category.
The lone female competitor, 69-year-old Elaine Stephens received a resounding round of applause as she approached the finish line even from ranks of the Guyana Police Force who kept the traffic in check during the course of the race.
Stephens, who said she loves running has been competing in this and other road-races in the community for a very long time. Stephens said she was very happy to again be a part of the event. Even when she crossed the line smiling broadly, Stephens kept on jogging indicating that the distance was easy pickings for her.

River Swim
While not attracting a large turnout, this event came down to a close battle between Vorin Andrews the eventual winner and Donovan Washington who also competed in the Road Race held just before the swim.

The course of the event was altered unlike previous years when it started at Kaow Island, this time it was held along the river bank, starting at the Island, 7th Avenue and concluding at 3rd Avenue, outside the Regatta Pavilion. Lloyd Ward placed third.

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