Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith on Youth Instructor and with his crew of Andrew Waters, Thad Lettsome and Jamal 'Fireman' Davies won the first race by 1min. + 53 seconds, prevailing after the lead had changed hands several times around the course. Photo: Provided

Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (left) and Governor John S. Duncan OBE with the Sloop Challenge Trophy, which will remain at the Premier's Office for another year. Photo: Provided

The Premier, on Youth Instructor and with his crew of Andrew Waters, Thad Lettsome and Jamal “Fireman” Davies, won the first race by 1 minute + 53 seconds, prevailing after the lead had changed hands several times around the course

The Governor, John S. Duncan OBE sailed Intrepid, along with his crew of Martin Van Houten, Dale Durant and Ryan Lettsome, and won the second race, but despite the split victories the sloop trophy belongs to the Premier for another year and will return to his office.

A third sloop, Esmie, also raced but finished third in both races having suffered difficulties with her rigging. She was captained by John Hayes with crew Vincent O. Wheatley, Captain Martin Cherry, Leslie Meade and Ula.

According to race organiser and curator of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) Maritime Museum, Mr Geoffrey Brooks, “Winds were fair and good weather predominated to make the 12th Annual Festival Sloop Shoot Out and Heritage Regatta a great success.”

The sloop race is organised and sponsored by the Centre for Applied Marine Studies at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and sponsored by the West End Yacht Club, the Royal BVI Yacht Club and the Virgin Islands Powerboat Association.

Brooks also noted “At HLSCC, through the Centre for Applied Marine Studies, we are dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of maritime culture in the Virgin Islands and the importance of local boat building. This traditional sloop race is an integral part of our local education.”

The Great Festival Sloop Shootout was created in 2004 as a means of reviving the traditional sloop races which occurred every August Tuesday during the emancipation celebrations.

It is a race between the Honourable Premier of the Virgin Islands and His Excellency the Governor, with the winner receiving a perpetual trophy to display in their respective offices for a year until the next race occurs.