Nov. 21, 2006 – Sailors from St. John and other nearby islands will set sail Friday and Saturday for the 25th annual Coral Bay Thanksgiving Regatta.
The event got its start when a half-dozen Coral Bay residents built Cowhorn boats on the Coral Bay beach.
"It was tough conditions, and the mosquitoes could be horrendous," Coral Bay sailor Peter Muilenburg recalled.
He said the Cowhorn sailors and others formed the Coral Bay Yacht Club, which sponsors the annual regatta.
Muilenburg said the sailors picked the weekend following Thanksgiving for the annual regatta because just about every other weekend was taken up with a race.
He said sailors never know what they'll get for weather that weekend.
"It can be a northerner coming or flat calm," he said.
On Friday, skippers of single-handed boats and gaffers, as well as Optimist and Laser sailors, will take to the seas for the annual Thanksgiving Regatta.
Saturday sees crewed boats vying for top honors.
Coral Bay Yacht Club spokeswoman Sara O'Neill said that all races begin "around 10 a.m."
The skippers' meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. both days at Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant.
O'Neill said that while the courses will be determined on the day of the race, single-handed boats usually sail around Flanagan, Pelican and Leduck islands.
The Optimists will race in Coral Harbor, and the Lasers will follow a course that takes them around Leduck island.
Registration is $45. O'Neill said the money goes to the St. John Kids and the Sea program.
O'Neill said the awards ceremony begins around 5 p.m. "We're hoping to do it before the music," she said.
The event wraps up with a party at 7 p.m. Saturday at Skinny Legs. Hudson and the Hoodoo Cats will play.
Last year about 45 boats participated.
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