St. George’s, Grenada: The Grenada Yacht Club was well pleased with the number of responses to its first ever boat raffle. This unique raffle, the brainchild of Commodore Darryl Brathwaite, was held as part of the GYC Sixth Annual Summer Regatta event. The idea behind the raffle was to give sailors from other clubs a chance to put their name in to a drawing to “win” the use of a boat to race in the regatta. The invitation to “leave your boat and bring your mate!” was sent out to Yacht Clubs throughout the Caribbean, U.S., U.K., Canada and Europe. Email responses were accepted and a drawing was held to select the winner. The Grand winner is Tom Patterson and his crew from the Antigua Yacht Club. Horizon Yacht Charters, who have been generous with their boat Beneteau First 40.7, made this prize possible. The Beneteau First 40.7 is the ideal cruiser for any racing connoisseur, she is powerful, fast and stable and she will be available to Tom Patterson for four days. On the first day both Tom and his crew will have the chance to get familiar with the boat and then they will be able to race her during the three race days. GYC extends a heartfelt thanks to Horizon Yacht Charters for helping to make this exceptional and coveted award possible. “The response to the raffle was so good, we decided to add another boat and do a second draw!” said Brathwaite. Jason Fletcher owner of Grenada Marine donated his very own boat, his pride and joy Apero an Albin Stratus 36’, for the race. Peter Milne and crew, who will be travelling in from Barbados for the regatta, snagged this second prize. “We are very happy with this first raffle and pleased that it is bringing teams from Antigua and Barbados to Grenada for this event,” said Commodore Brathwaite. He went on to say, “We may well make the raffle an integral part of the annual regatta. Our appreciation goes from GYC to Horizon Yacht Charters and Jason Fletcher for their participation in this effort and congratulations to Tom Patterson, Peter Milne and their crews. We wish them the very best of racing!” The Grenada Yacht Club Sixth Annual Regatta will be taking place between the 7th and 10th of July. If you want more information you can visit their website at: www.grenadayachtclub.com.