fp Turks and Caicos

Organizers for the event, which takes place next Saturday, Feb. 12, called on the business community to help with sponsors to pay for the building of desperately needed new boats.

“We sent out an appeal for sponsors for new boats, and we received 10 commitments,” {/pullquote} explained Sara Kaufman from the Middle Caicos Sailing Association (MCSA).  “So this meant, of course, we had to pressure the boat carvers to come up with lots of new boats! And they did so. Hats off to Albert Higgs, Headley Forbes, Carlin Forbes, Brodie Forbes and Lucky Forbes, our TCI model boat carvers and builders.”

Kaufman and the association are especially excited about a new main sponsor, Islandcom.

“The Islandcom staff have pumped energy and money into promoting our festival with banners, signs and newsletter articles,” Kaufman said. “To encourage more folk to get in the water and sail, they have put together a captains only raffle, and sailing a boat makes you eligible to win a new telephone and three months’ service.”

And for even more fun, Islandcom is introducing the new Islandcom Ladies Cup for a women-only race. “The full spirit of the event is being strongly energized by this great sponsorship,” Kaufman said.

In addition, PPC Ltd. and parent company Fortis, which have supported the event since its early years, “long before the causeway made coming to the beach easy,” are back on board, said Kaufman.

“We welcome them back with their generous full sponsorship of the cash prizes for all the Class A, B, and C races, plus funds to bring on live music featuring our homegrown duo Lovey Forbes and Lucky Forbes.”

Returning sponsors include Blue Horizon Resort, Forbes Forbes & Forbes Ltd., Big Blue Unlimited, Middle Caicos Co-op Services, which have each continued with steady support for many years to make sure this day is brought to fruition each year.

“We are also delighted to welcome the families of Dennis Been and David Bowen as private donors,” Kaufman noted.

Each year many friends and family members volunteer to work alongside the MCSA to prepare for and run the event. “It is a pleasure for all, lots of hard work, but a sense of sincere community health is shared by pulling it together year after year.”

Kaufman also offers her thanks to the Church of God of Prophecy Conch Bar.

“Under the leadership of Pastor Shirley Smith, the church has fed the crowds each year, without knowing how many will arrive, and no one ever leaves hungry,” she said. A wide range of beloved native foods will be available this year, and the proceeds of the food sales go to their youth and women’s programs.

So come along and join in the fun on Saturday, Feb. 12, on beautiful Bambarra beach, Middle Caicos.

Call Caribbean Cruisin’ or Brantford Gardiner for ferry transport, rent a car on North Caicos and get to the beach in time for a great day of traditional sport with your family. Contact Big Blue or the taxi drivers directly to arrange custom groups and tours for the day! E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further details, to make donations and with any questions.

The sponsored boats include:

4x Class A Boats:

• Daniels Café with Daniel’s Cafe
• Islandcom with Islandcom
• NHIB unnamed as yet
• Redbridge with The Tanned Toucan

2x Class B Boats:

• Big Blue Unlimited with Little Blue
• Dan Steele with Sea Wings 2011

4x Class C Boats:

• Miller Simon O’Sullivan with  MSOS Victory
• Turks & Caicos Reservations with Team TCI Reservations
• Tropical Paradise Realty with TPR
• Potcake Foundation with M.S. Potcake
• Randy Hall with True Colours