Under the blazing sun, thousands of boat racing lovers flocked the shores of the Lake Mainstay Resort, Essequibo on Sunday to witness history, where Jose Jardine and Clint Gonsalves were crowned the champions of the 14th annual Lake Mainstay Regatta.
Gonsalves was crowned champion of Group Two while Jardine was champion of Group One.
The big boys came out to play in the Open category, demonstrating to the crowd why Lake Mainstay Regatta has always been one of the leading sporting events in the country. Jardine hammered the vessel “Flash” to emerge victorious even though behind Dave Scott’s “Jaguar” for the first lap of the six-lap race. Unfortunately, Jaguar suffered engine failure and was unable to complete the race which allowed Flash to capitalise and cop first place followed by team Avengers.
The day was one in which the entire family could come out and enjoy the full beauty of nature and sport racing, giving equal opportunities for all racers to vie for a chance to cash in big.
The first event of the day saw Jardine registering his first of many wins in the four-lap 90 horse power (HP) category. Jardine stamped his authority by lapping third placed driver, Louknauth Jaggernauth, who battled with the beast, “Hunter”. Hunter was also lapped by second placed Danny Benjamin who piloted “Out and Bad”.
The small engines proved that they had a lot of kick in them when they clashed in the 15HP two-lap meet but Kelvin Manny was the stand
A Stag representative presents the Group Two champion trophy to Clint Gonsalves
out driver, manoeuvring his way with “Fly” past Javis Jabbar’s “Lil Saint.”
In the same category, the females showed they too were not to be underestimated as Savita Garraway led the women to the finish line, followed by Loretta Savory and Drupattie Persaud in second and third respectively.
Jardine continued his marvelous run to win the 40HP three-lap race with a small scare from Gonsalves who was behind the wheel of “Bravo.” Jaggernauth once more finished in third, this time driving “Sunflower”.
In the second 40HP event, spectators saw “Bravo” take revenge to win the race ahead of second placed Jardine and Jaggernauth rounding off the top three.
But “Flash” would not take second place so easily by winning the 200HP five-lap race which he was trailed by Gonsalves who was driving “Miracle”. Avengers finished the top three.
Again, “Miracle” exchanged positions with “Flash” in the second 90HP race. “Out and Bad” fought only to finish in third.
In the 90HP Orin Bell memorial race, Gonsalves won first followed by Jardine and Danny Benjamin in second and third respectively.
Both Gonsalves and Jardine indicated to Guyana Times Sport that this year, the competition improved tremendously and the weather was just right for the them to produce their best.
“Experience played a key role for me to become the champion and good support from my team, minus a few hiccups, it was a good day,” Gonsalves said.
On the other hand, Jardine said “Team Flash really put in a lot of effort and time into this year’s regatta and it is because of them I came and won.”
Aside from the engines, participants showed their skills and techniques in the 200 meter male and female canoeing.
Sanjeev Ramdeen conquered the males followed by Alwyn Marks and Geton Thomas in second and third respectively. The women’s event saw Carla Ramdeen emerging victorious, being trailed by Loretta Savory in second and Simone Persaud in third.
The swimmers open event saw only by men participating as Loid Ward of Bartica was deemed the best swimmer of the day ahead Sanjeev Ramdeen and Deondre Thomas.
After the races were complete, patrons were treated to a spectacular stage show, which demonstrated the talents of our very own local performers in the likes of Yoland Need, Big Red, Bounty Singh and Jomo Primo.
Owner of the resort and mastermind behind the regatta, Wilfred Jagnarine highlighted that this year was one of the best they have had to date, and the regatta is growing in strength with each passing year.
Champion racer Jose Jardine poses next to his trophies of the day, alongside “Flash”
“The excitement is here, we had good weather and the racers were excellent,” Jagnarine said.
Jagnarine added that this event could not be possible without sponsorships from companies such as Digicel, Guyoil, the Tourism Ministry, Republic Bank, Citizen’s Bank, Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry, ANSA McAL and others.
