By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Four days of exciting sailing action on the waters at the seventh Best-of-the-Best Regatta concluded on ‘Championship Sunday’ at Montagu Beach.

For the third time in the event’s history, Long Island sailor Stefan Knowles came away as a triple crown champion, emerging victorious in Class A, B and C events.

The Running Tide, skippered by Knowles, bested the competitors in the Class A event for first place. Long Island’s New Legend came second in the class and Ruff Justice was third overall despite a strong start.

The winning boat cleared the buoy first on the first of two laps and led the rest of the way for a comfortable victory. 

Knowles outlined his strategy used to win Class A. “Initially, when the race started we were in third. The Ruff Justice was ahead and the New Legend was in second and we were in third but we made a good tact and we got some favourable wind and we were able to catch them both. 

“Coming down on the bed, I was trying to stay in the back of the Ruff Justice but, at the last minute, it looked like they stopped and I went straight around the buoy ahead of them. I really wasn’t expecting that but after that the race was basically over,” he said.

Knowles and the Running Tide were dethroned by Exuma’s Silent Partner, captained by Leslie “Buzzy” Rolle, in last year’s Class A race. However, this time around Knowles managed to bring the crown back to Long Island despite battling the flu.

“They usually get one here and there. They sailed well last year. Captain Buzzy is always a fierce competitor and every time you go out there to race you have to beat him if you want to win,” Knowles said.

According to him, this is his third time winning the triple crown at the event and he compared his performance on the final day to the Michael Jordan “flu game.”

Knowles’ Susan Chase V repeated as the first place finisher in Class B. Ants Nest II came in at second overall and third place went to Ole Boy.

Sassie Sue also got victory in Class C once again. The Whitty K got the second podium spot and third place went to the Bul Reg. The Lady Kayla, skippered by Joss Knowles, claimed the first spot in the E Class. One Bahamas trailed for second in the event and Mako was third overall.

Chester Fox, commodore of the Best-of-the-Best Regatta, was pleased with how the event ran over the weekend.

“I was really happy with today. The weather was a little windy but still good conditions for sailing. All the races were really competitive in the E, C, B and A classes. The races could have gone either way but I guess the best boat prevailed. Overall, I thought we had a really good day of racing. All in all, competition was fierce and I am quite pleased and I think the event was a really good success,” he said.

The final night ended with Bahamian festivities on the Best-of-Best Regatta site.