Volare of Venezuela is the Overall Winner!

Results of the Bonaire 2006 International Sailing Regatta

The 39th Bonaire Sailing Regatta 2006 is behind us. Once again a great event, with lots of fun on and off the water. Organizers Elvis Martinus and Byron Tromp are inviting everyone for the 40th edition of this great sailing event. It promises to be fabulous! Aruba did really well this year, with two first places for the Tranquilo of Anthony Hagedoorn and crew and first places for microboat captain Rudolf St. Jago, but most of the prizes went towards Curacao and Bonaire. The Volare of captain Thomas Pollehne was the overall winner this year, and the entire audience seated in the garden of the Kas di Regatta honored this wonderful sailor by singing `Volare, ooo-oooh, Cantare, ooo-ooo-ooo-oooh.’

Last Friday evening saw the awards presentation. Emcee Evert Bongers called all the volunteers and assistants on stage for a big round of applause before representatives of sponsoring companies handed out the gleaming trophies to the winners in all categories. This culminated in the ovation for the overall winner Volare. Next came a very well-rehearsed dance recital by the group `Style to Step’. It seems that Bonaire is currently in the grip of dance fever: countless couples and kids are into intricate steps, from ballroom dancing to breakdancing. The results could be seen on stage in downtown Kralendijk at the Festival as well.

At the end of the evening, Tonky Frans showed his Regatta video. Shots from the water as well as from the shore are interspersed with those of sailing ships and junior sailors in action. This video may be ordered via this Regatta website. All results are posted there as well.

Just a few results of the yachting division will be mentioned here:
Lac Bay Race Open: winner Tranquilo (AUA)
Racing Cruising I - Dauntless (CUR)
Round Bonaire Race: Racing II - Chamba II (CUR)
Racing I - Volare (VEN)
Round Bonaire Overall - Volare (VEN)
Open Class - Tranquilo (AUA)
Racing Cruising I - Marvin (CUR)
Racing II - Chamba II (CUR)
Racing I - Volare (VEN)