By BRENT TUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER winning the Best-of-the-Best regatta title in December, it was time for the Silent Partner, formerly the Red Stripe, to celebrate over the weekend in Black Point, Exuma.

The A class boat owners and sailors came together as they reflected on their transformation of the boat since acquiring it from the late skipper Lundy Robinson’s family. “Winning this regatta was the highlight of our achievement thus far as it had been only eight months since acquiring her,” said captain Dennis ‘Chucky’ Smith.

“We decided to take the celebrations back home because it’s home.

“Our focus now is George Town and we are looking forward to another victory by the father’s grace and mercy.”

The boat was acquired in February 2023 and immediately had some renovations made to get her ready for the National Family Island Regatta in George Town, Exuma, in April where she placed fourth overall with captain Morris Rolle as the skipper.

After a few alterations were made, including her name change to Silent Partner, the boat went on to compete in the Long Island Regatta in Salt Pond, Long Island in June where she achieved another fourth place.

But during the Black Point Homecoming and Regatta in August, a friendly match-up took place for the home fans where, for the first time, an A Class boat sailed in the beautiful harbour. With just a few months later before the Best-of-the-Best Regatta took place in Montagu shores, the boat went through its final repairs and trimming.

And with skipper Leslie ‘Buzzy’ Rolle now at the helm, the boat was victorious under its new management.

Originally named the Red Stripe, the boat was built in 2002 under the ownership of captain Robinson, who won numerous regattas in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Reportedly, with a case of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent death of Robinson in 2021, the Red Stripe became a hot commodity.

Many offers were presented to the family, but none was as good as what was made jointly by captains Dwight ‘Skipper Fly’ Rolle and Smith, and the boat was sold. The rest, as they say, was history, hence the celebrations that took place in Black Point over the weekend.