Champie has won this race five times -- his first when he was 21 years
old and now for the third year in a row, he has won the Easter Round
the Island race once again. The Regatta which was held on March 23rd
2008 attracted ten boats in four categories, vying for the coveted
title of Round the Island Champion.
Julia in all her glory
It looked like Champie would be dethroned after his late start. The
other participants had already started the race from Egmont Point when
Champie was heading from Prickly Bay Marina up to Egmont to the start.
“Seeing them so far ahead when we started, only made us more aggressive
and determined to make the come back. I felt confident that my crew and
I were ready for the challenge,” Champie remarked.
When asked why he was late the veteran sailor just laughed!
This year the sailing was described as very challenging because of
significant swells. However, Champie and the other sailors involved
enjoyed the conditions. “We had good steady winds and had a great day
of sailing. We will remember this come from behind win for a long time.
After all, we did inform our competitors over the radio that we were
about to smoke them, even though we started late,” Champie remarked.
So said, so done, by Julia.
Champie has been sailing since he was 6 years of age and has won many
International and Regional Racing Titles. He participated in the Swan
Worlds in 1981 aboard White Quailo, placing second. He has also raced
against and with great sailors, such as, Ted Turner (CNN) and Harry
“Buddy” Melges (America’s Cup Winner).
When asked if he would defend his title next year, he replied, “Who
knows how the winds will blow in 2009? We will have to wait and see.”
