Please select your home edition
Edition
Craftinsure 2023 LEADERBOARD

A capsize photo series from the National Family Island Regatta, George Town, Bahamas

by Jan Pehrson 23 Apr 2023 18:43 BST
National Family Island Regatta © Jan Pehrson

If you want to win Bahamian Wooden Sloop races, you need to sail on the edge.

Photographer Jan Pehrson was at the weather mark today during the 67th National Family Island Regatta currently being sailed in George Town, Bahamas. As the wind gusted in a squall, 21 foot long B-Class Sloop "New Susan Chase V" capsized. Her crew jumped on her keel and kept her from sinking. B-Class sloops weigh about as much as two cars.

Bahamian Racing Sloops are hugely overpowered, with long overhanging booms and towering masts, ballasted by lead ingots and sandbags and large numbers of crew balanced precariously on "pry" boards extending over the windward rail. Bahamian National Champion Stefan Knowles is the captain of "New Susan Chase V", and his brother Ian Knowles is her bowman.

What Happened on the boat?

"Too much sail area and instead of lowering the sail the guy hoisted it," said Ian. "We've had similar situations before, this doesn't bother us after many years of sailing."

Related Articles

ILCA Eastern GP Open at Waldringfield
A fleet of 35 sailors for the opening event of the circuit A fleet of 35 sailors descended on Waldringfield on 27th April for our ILCA Open, the opening event on the new ILCA Eastern GP circuit. Posted today at 7:57 am
D-Zero Open at Emsworth Slipper
Some locals put off by the breeze and maybe the lack of heat A bright and breezy day met the four visitors and eight locals for the early Open meet, some locals put off by the breeze and maybe the lack of heat in the sun, however the rest persevered and were quickly delivered to the race area. Posted today at 7:41 am
60th Anniversary Congressional Day 2
Monnin in the hunt for semi-final spot Switzerland's Eric Monnin and his Capvis Swiss Match Racing Team delivered a faultless performance today, the second day of the 60th Long Beach Yacht Club Congressional Cup. Posted today at 4:26 am
Antigua Race Week Day 4
One-third of the classes started the penultimate day with boats tied on points at the top Racing at this year's Antigua Sailing Week is so close that one-third of the classes started the penultimate day with boats tied on points at the top of their respective leaderboards. Posted today at 3:04 am
5.5m Alpen Cup at Fraglia Vela Riva Day 1
The Jean Genie makes strong start to title defence The Jean Genie (GBR 43, Peter Morton, Andrew Palfrey, Ruaridh Scott) took a commanding lead on a very tricky opening day of the 2025 5.5 Metre Alpen Cup at Fraglia Vela Riva, on Lake Garda, Italy. Posted on 1 May
Inaugural CIC Med Channel Race Day 5
Accordion atmosphere on the trajectories On the eve of the arrival in Marseille of the first competitors of the 2025 edition of the CIC MED CHANNEL RACE, the face of the race has once again changed significantly in 24 hours. Posted on 1 May
21st Sandberg PalmaVela Day 1
Magic Carpet E wins two from two on her debut The Maxi class officially opened racing today at the 21st Sandberg PalmaVela, completing two W/L races in which the newest elite 100-footer, Magic Carpet E, dominated with two clear victories in what was its first-ever races. Posted on 1 May
52 SUPER SERIES Saint-Tropez Cup Day 2
Gladiator back on winning form Disappointed to miss out on winning the 2024 circuit title after coming into the last event of the season with a solid points lead, Tony Langley's world champions Gladiator crew started their assault on the 2025 title on the best possible footing. Posted on 1 May
Northamptonshire Youth Series preview
It's just over a week to go to the first of this year's events It's just over a week to go to the first of this year's events. We're starting off at the beautiful Middle Nene Sailing Club. It really is a spectacular gem of a sailing club tucked alongside the River Nene. Posted on 1 May
Salcombe Gin Spring Regatta at Parkstone
The fleet waited patiently for wind to arrive The run up to the weekend of the Salcombe Gin Spring Regatta, organised by Parkstone Yacht Club, was not looking promising, with very light winds forecast. The fleet of 14 yachts across 3 classes were greeted with zero wind in Poole Harbour. Posted on 1 May