Bartica Easter Regatta – Powerboat Races Day One Thousands light up Golden Beach despite accident in race 1 dampen proceedings somewhat

Apr 22, 2019 Features / Columnists, News, Sports

An unfortunate accident in the first race of the day involving two of the prominent names in powerboat racing including icon Jose Jardine put a damper on day activities of the 2019 edition of the Bartica Easter Regatta Powerboat Racing championships at the famous Gold Beach Circuit, yesterday.
Just moments into the day’s first race, with thousands of faithful spectators bracing for what was expected to be a fierce day of battles, there was an unfortunate accident involving Jardine and young Sean Belle, son of veteran race, Clarence Belle.
Jardine in command of ‘Flash’ and Belle, piloting Xtreme Limits in the 75HP to 90HP race collided as they tried to avoid a small passenger boat which was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The collision resulted in the boats being severely damaged, almost disintegrating due to the materials they are built with. Both drivers suffered injuries and were both rushed to the Bartica hospital which is a stone’s throw away from Golden Beach, just opposite.
Quick work by the organisers and team members of both boats saw the two injured drivers being taken care of and up to press time, they were both stable. Kaieteur Sport was reliably informed that Jardine suffered a slight head injury as he was wearing a helmet at the time which is part of the safety requirements. Belle suffered damage to his right leg and requires surgery to rectify same.
The Bartica Easter Regatta Organising Committee, chaired by Mayor Gifford Marshall wished both athletes a speedy recovery, stating that safety of the racers is paramount and they would be pulling out all the stops to ensure same.
Marshall noted that the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guards were in attendance as well as the Marine section of the Guyana Police Force. He also said that further measures would be put in place to ensure maximum safety of the racers.
Once it was ascertained that both Jardine and Belle were stable, the action continued and some exciting results were recorded. The clash of the F1 boats which was scheduled to feature defending champion Dave Scott in ‘Jaguar‘ against Sean Belle aboard ‘Quicksilver’ did not come off as the latter was involved in the accident.
However, Scott showed off breathtaking speed in the two 225 to Unlimited races winning both comfortably against Selwyn Joseph who piloted, Girls Dem ‘Shuga’; both races went for 5-laps around the bigger circuit. Joseph had actually overtaken Scott twice in the second race, but that lasted for but a few moments as Scott showed off real power in flying past Joseph to win the contests.
The other athlete that took double wins yesterday was the multi-talented Whitney ‘Don King’ Welcome whose Jet Ski also powered to victory, comfortably. Dylon Williams took the second place in the first race with Alec Hopkinson, who encountered some mechanical challenges in the race, rebounding to end third.
Hopkinson returned in the second race to take the runner-spot ahead of Shawn Jacobs.
Minister of State Joseph Harmon had earlier declared the Regatta open following the official opening ceremony which was attended by Regional Chairman Mr. Gordon Bradford and Mayor Marshall who both also delivered brief remarks.
Minister Harmon lauded the Regatta Committee for pulling off a splendid event noting that the event is something that the Town can be proud of whilst committing his Governments continued support.
He brought greetings on behalf of His Excellency President David Granger whom he informed had just returned to Guyana on Saturday night.
There would be a total of twelve (12) events on today’s final day at the same venue with the first race expected to rev off at 09:00hrs. Following are the full results of yesterday’s races.
Event Name of Captain Name of Boat Position
25 – 40HP Sanjay Ramkissoon Team Shivraj 1st
Ramdeo Lochand Bad Boys 2nd
Sunnja Buchan All Star 1 3rd
115 – 200HP Selwyn Joseph De Girls Dem Shuga 1st
Anjelo Joseph 24 2nd
Jet Ski Whitney Welcome 1st
Dylon Williams 2nd
Alec Hopkinson 3rd
15HP Denish Ramlakhan All Star 11 1st
Jose Jardine Bullet 2nd
225 Dave Scott Jaguar 1st
Unlimited Selwyn Joseph Girls Dem Shuga 2nd
25 – 40 HP Sanjay Ramkissoon Team Sanjay 1st
Danny Benjamin Targaryen 2nd
Rajendra Budram Sniper 3rd
225 Dave Scott Jaguar 1st
Unlimited Selwyn Joseph Girls Dem Shuga 2nd
Jet Ski Whitney Welcome 1st
Alec Hopkinson 2nd
Shawn Jacobs 3rd

Photos saved as – Part of the massive crowd that attended day one of the 2019 Bartica Easter Regatta at Golden Beach Circuit, yesterday.

-Dave Scott aboard ‘Jaguar’ takes the chequered flag following his second victory yesterday.

-Winner of the two Jet Ski races on day one, Whitney ‘Don King’ Welcome.

-Angelo Lacourt wins the 115 – 200HP contest

-Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon (2nd right) seen with Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford (right), Mayor Gifford Marshall (left) and 2019 Miss Bartica Regatta Beauty Queenafter the official opening.