An important event for the sports tourism niche will be held this public holiday weekend, when the 77th Mount Gay Rum Round Barbados Race Series takes to the high seas.
The six-day event, which dates back to 1936, will see yachting vessels race around the island, in hopes of receiving bragging rights, trophies and, for record-breaking yachts, the skipper’s weight in Mount Gay Rum Extra Old.??
2013 will feature The Two Restaurants Race on Saturday, January 19; The Signature Mount Gay Rum Round Barbados Race on Monday, January 21; and a new addition to the line-up, The Barbados to Antigua Ocean Race on Wednesday, January 23. This will serve as a formal link with the Super Yacht Challenge in Antigua, a 300-mile open ocean race.
In addition to yachting, persons may also take in another spectacle, when the bridge in the heart of Bridgetown lifts to facilitate the movement of yachts, beginning Friday, January 18, from 1:00 until to 1:30 p.m. and 3.00 to 3:30 p.m.
The Race Series is held annually during Errol Barrow weekend, in recognition of the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, who was a sailor and founding member of the Cruising Club. Additional information on the event may be found at http://www.mountgayrumroundbarbadosrace.com/