Crew members Richard Wooldridge, Wellington “Butch:” Romney and Geoffrey Brooks handed over the Trophy, an ornately hand carved replica of the Sloop, to their victorious skipper. photo credit: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the sloop races and more boats are expected to turn the event into a wooden boat regatta and not just the Premier against the Governor as in the past. photo credit: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Crew members Richard Wooldridge, Wellington “Butch:” Romney and Geoffrey Brooks handed over the Trophy, an ornately hand carved replica of the Sloop, to their victorious skipper, The Premier, following the victory in what was described at the time as one of the most competitive and closest finishes so far.

The Sloops raced to Road Town, entered the harbor, rounded three marks and raced back to Nanny Cay. The lead changed four times and finally it was the Hon. Premier D. Orlando Smith at the helm of “Sea Moon” who finished in 1st place with a time of: 1 hour, 20 minutes; followed by His Excellency Governor Boyd McCleary captaining "Moon Beam" with a time of: 1 hour 21 minutes and 15 seconds.

Only 1 minute 15 seconds separated the two sailors, with the third Sloop, “Youth Instructor” Captained by HLSCC President Karl Dawson finishing in 1 hour 31 minutes and 12 seconds.

As the premier explained sailing and racing is in his blood as he comes from a long line of boat builders. Both his grandfathers were building boats as he grew up so it is something he has always had an interest in.

Next year will be the 10^th anniversary of the sloop races and more boats are expected to turn the event into a wooden boat regatta and not just the premier against the governor as in the past.

Leando Nibbs has completed the building of his own 28ft Sloop which was debuted during the Festival Parade and will be on the water and ready to race by Christmas. Nibbs was once an apprentice to Leopald Smith (Orlando’s Uncle), a prolific and exceptional boat builder. His yet to be named boat will be joining Sea Moon and Moon Beam which were both built by Watson White in Anegada and Youth Instructor built by Osmond Davies.

The Premier did note though that despite the success of this year’s event staged from Nanny Cay, the people of Road Town have been asking why it is no longer held in the harbor and have stated they would like to see it back on Road Town.

The Annual Sloop Shootout is organized by the Centre for Applied Marine Studies at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and sponsored by The Loyal West End Yacht Club, The Royal BVI Yacht Club, The VI Power Boat Assoc. Nanny Cay Marina, Bi-Water Corp., With much appreciated support from: The Virgin Islands Shipping Registry, VISAR, King Charters, Conch Charters and BVI Marine Management.