By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE the stage is set for the participation of about 20 boats in the 19th All-Andros and Berry Islands Regatta next month, Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard came on board as a major sponsor for another year.

The regatta is set for the weekend of July 5-8 in Morgan's Bluff.

Yesterday, at his Nygard Cay home in Lyford Cay, Nygard made a cheque presentation of $10,000 which, according to commodore Stafford Armbrister, will go a long way to increase the cash prizes for the three classes of competition.

Armbrister also noted that they will now introduce a Cup that will be named after Nygard. Jokingly, Armbrister said he also hopes that Nygard will be available, dressed in one of the colourful pants like the ones worn by businessman Frank Hanna, during the presentation ceremonies.

Nygard, who admitted that he would like to wear the pants and tie, said he was happy to answer the call from his friend of 40 years, King Eric Gibson, to assist the organising committee.

"I thank you Eric for asking me because this is truly a worthy cause," Nygard said. "I think we have to get some of these types of activities going again, supported again and expanded again.

"I think nothing is more expandable or important to us in the Bahamas than the sailing regattas. This is our national sport, this is our land, which is all about the water where we participate."

A former sailor with legendary Durward 'Sea Wolf' Knowles back in the 1970s when he also represented Canada in the Olympic Games, Nygard said sailing and regatta is a social event that brings people together and he enjoys making his contribution.

Nygard, however, insisted that it was only because of his strong relationship with Gibson that he felt obligated to once again make a contribution to the sport.

Although they started their fund-raising process months ago, Armbrister said they got off to a "rocky" start, but they are pleased to have gotten the donation from Nygard.

"Surprisingly, but not too surprisingly, yesterday I got a call from King Eric, who said he got some good news for me," Armbrister said.

"Prior to that, he called me and told me that 'I know you're in trouble. I know you are trying to raise some funds. I will see if I can help you.' When he called me yesterday and said 'I got some good news for you,' well my phone almost dropped, but I held onto it. He said he talked to Nygard and he said 'he will help you out.' Then when he told me the figure, I got an even bigger smile."

Armbrister said this is not the first time that Nygard has assisted, but he's pleased that he came through in such a big way to support the regatta.

And he also commended Gibson for the way that he has come through to get the assistance from Nygard to help to make the regatta a success.

Armbrister said now they can go forth in pushing the regatta, which they are anticipating to have between 17 and 19 boats, and those numbers can now increase.

Starting with the Southern Cross, which he has an affinity for, Armbrister said they intend to have Good News and the Red Stripe participating in the A Class.

In the B Class, the Ants Nest, the Cobra, Healthcliff and Queen Drucilla are among the boats entered, while the Sweet Island Gal, Lady Ruthnell and the Thunderbird are among those in the C Class.

Exuma MP Anthony Moss and Picewell Forbes, the member of parliament for South Andros, were both present and they hailed Nygard for his continued support of regattas throughout the Bahamas.

Danny Sumner, a member of the organising committee and president of the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, and other committee members and representatives from the Caribbean Bottling Company Limited, Burns House and Bahamas Ferries, also attended.