The crew of Blackbird lift the Steve Black TrophyLast night PegLegs hosted the official prizegiving ceremony for the competitive side of the Caribbean 1500. Blackbird took the overall victory on corrected time in the Cruising Division, earning them the Steve Black Trophy, named in honor of the events founder.
Blackbird also took top honors in Cruising Class A. In Class B, the Catalina 470 Lady narrowly edged Dancing Lizard by a scant 52 minutes on corrected time to take the top spot in that division. Fat Cat took home the multihull prize, and earned applause for being the first boat over the finish line in Tortola, completing the course in just under six days.
The prizegiving event also honored each participant who completed the rally. Crews were called to the stage and given a commemorative plaque to acknowledge the accomplishment. For several of the crews, the event marked the completion of their first-ever ocean passage, so the occasion was a notable one.
Of the 53 boats that left Hampton VA on Friday 11 November, 16 have still to arrive with 2 boats expected today and 6 tomorrow. Just as the prizegiving was getting into full swing right before sunset, Bella Corsa made their entrance into the channel at Nanny Cay to much applause, and were greeted on the dock with cold rum punch and a very warm welcome, just in time to join the participants for dinner.
Today Kalista, a Cabo Rico 45 and Southern Cross a Lagoon 38 Catamaran will arrive with a further 6 yachts expected in tomorrow. The World Cruising Club reception committee will be staying until the end of the week to welcome everyone in and are putting on another prizegiving on Thursday night by which time all the boats will hopefully have arrived.
