The Pussers Rum 2006 J 24 Midwinter Regatta

Antony Kotoun and his winning crew from the US Virgin Islands

The J/24 fleet heads downwind

The fleet converges on the downwind mark.

A welcome sight for thirsty sailors... so close now

Pusser’s Rum was a title sponsor of Davis Islands Yacht Club’s Midwinter J 24 Class Regatta. With entrants arriving from all over the US, Argentina, Canada, Sweden, the US Virgin Islands, and Venezuela, a highly competitive sailing was assured.

As last year, the overall winning crew was Anthony Kotoun and his crew from the U S Virgin Islands, followed by second placers Alejo Rigoni and his crew from Argentina, with third place going to Rossi Milev and his Canadian crew.

Racing on Tampa’s Hillsborough Bay started on Thursday (February 23) for a nine-race event with three races on Thursday, four races on Friday and the final two on Saturday. Very close racing continued throughout the regatta under varying weather conditions ranging from light to moderate air. On Saturday, the two final races were held under ideal balmy skies of 78 degrees with 10 to 15 knots of wind from the southeast.

As a title sponsor of this major class regatta, Pusser’s British Navy Rum was the featured - and soon favorite - drink of the entire regatta. Pusser’s orange skippers and white crew caps were presented to each skipper and crew during registration and the clubhouse area rapidly became a sea of orange and white. On Friday night, during the special Pusser’s Happy Hour, Pussers Grog and Painkillers were the featured specials of the evening along with steel band music later followed by a classic Cuban buffet dinner. Needless to say, a good evening was enjoyed by all!

The first three place winners received the Pusser’s Awards along with J 24 half hull models. Several of the winning crew members were overheard to comment about how really neat and unique it was to receive “a sailing trophy containing rum”. In addition to the Midfleet Award of the Pusser’s Flagon, the (now famous) Pusser’s Survival Kits were given to those crews that experienced “difficulties” and merited a little extra support. Again these clever and unusual “awards” received a lot of attention from everyone

This year's J 24 Midwinter Regatta provided world class competition, sun, fun, and great Pusser’s Rum for all.