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'Best of The Best Regatta' Evidence of Commitment to Sports Tourism, PM Christie Says
By Eric Rose, BIS
Dec 6, 2016 - 12:17:53 AM

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Nassau The Bahamas - Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie said, on December 2, 2016, that the successful launch of the “Best of The Best Regatta” is evidence that the Government is committed to Sport Tourism.

"It is an area of our touristic experience that will further develop, as it has the potential to play a vital role in the economic advancement of our country," Prime Minister Christie said at the official opening of the event at Montagu Beach.  "Moving forward we embrace the challenge to show the world that this small nation, The Bahamas, has much potential."

Prime Minister Christie said that although The Bahamas is a small nation, it has set its sights on using sports as a means of enhancing and diversifying its tourism product; so that when people think of The Bahamas, they will also think of this destination where champions come to practice or compete in their specific fields of activities.

"As many of you would know, my Government through the Ministry of Tourism and the National Sports Authority is keenly interested in Sports Tourism and our involvement in recent years have included hosting a number of large sporting organizations, inclusive of FIFA, the PGA Tour, LPGA, NCAA Division I Basketball and American football, inviting NBA teams to hold practices," Prime Minister Christie said.

"Next year, 2017, in addition to being the proud host of the FIFA Beach Soccer Competition, we will play host for the second time around for the IAAF World relays which was held here in 2014 and 2015. In July of 2017 we will host the Commonwealth Youth Games."

Prime Minister Christie said that The Best of The Best Regatta is unique in that The Bahamas, for the first time, hosted a sailing event where two styles of sailing will be taking place simultaneously and viewed live via prestigious sailing websites around the globe to a viewing audience of over 400,000 sailing enthusiasts.

"The world will witness, via live-streaming, the distinctive sailing skills of our Bahamian sailors who begin their races with the pulling-up of the anchor," Prime Minister Christie said.  "I am advised that this starting method astounded the international sailors, who after witnessing it, are eager and willing to test their skills on Sunday ( December 4, 2016) as they sail our native sloops."

"This Regatta also marks a proud moment in the history of sailing in The Bahamas where 150 of our very own sloop captains and sailors, who having competed in Regattas through-out the year and won in their particular classes, were qualified to compete for the coveted prize – of '2016 Best of The Best Sloop Sailing Champions'."

Prime Minister Christie said that the winning of such the prestigious title of “Best of The Best” will be an honour and a testament to the skill and dedication to sloop sailing in The Bahamas.

"I am certain that this 'Best of The Best Regatta' will act as a catalyst that will propel our youth sailors to take Bahamian sloop sailing to another level and to seek to once again make Olympic history by winning an Olympic medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics," he said.

Prime Minister Christie pointed out that even in the face of devastating Hurricanes Joaquin and Matthew, the Government of The Bahamas agreed that the hosting of the event was an opportunity to celebrate "the resilience of our people, the strength of our nation, and the honourable heritage of our country".

"I am also advised that it is hoped that this Best of The Best Regatta will be the blue-print for all Regattas going forward," he added.

"So as we are about to embark on four days filled with unmatched sailing competitions, and four nights of pageantry and vibrant energized cultural entertainment, let us pray for all things good and if I might be permitted the use of a nautical term which is familiar to all, I wish for you nothing but 'fair winds and following seas' as you compete for the glory of this wonderful sport."

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