Summerside - The Spirit of Bermuda claimed the $40,000 first prize in the inaugural MBS Tall Ships Race Around the Island, but it was the children of Bermuda who were the real winners.
"It's really a national icon now for the kids," said Capt. Kent Cassels.
The winnings will go back into the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, which introduces youngsters to the joys of a seafaring life.
"It will all go towards the mission of the ship, which is to support the youth of Bermuda.
"Every kid who goes through the education system of Bermuda, private and public, will have a chance to sail on that ship as part of their education," said Cassels.
"They focus mainly on 13- and 14-year-olds, but also on older youths as well," he said.
"It's a huge benefit to them. All the middle school, Level 3 students in Bermuda have to go on a five-day cruise," said Alan Burland who chairs the foundation.
"They learn about themselves, they learn to work in teams, they learn how ships operate," he said.
That opens the door to a wide range of marine occupations, as well as others not readily associated with seafaring, such as the culinary arts.
Twenty-four crew accompanied the Spirit of Bermuda to Summerside, ranging from 15 to 58 years.
"Every penny goes back into the foundation. We're a not-for-profit foundation, so it will all go to the benefit of the youth of Bermuda," said Burland.
But the joy experienced by a crew who strained to the point of exhaustion and beyond to win the grueling three-day competition came very close to never happening, confirmed Cassels.
"The race for us started in Rockport, Maine, waiting to see if hurricane Hanna would let us get here before the gun.
"When we left it was 50/50 we'd make it here for the start," said Cassels.
Spirit of Bermuda's accomplishment was celebrated at the Shipyard Sunday night, with a big bottle of bubbly uncorked for the occasion.
Crews from the four other tall ships were on hand for the awards bash, as well as friends, well-wishers and sponsors.
Ron Casey, executive director of Downtown Summerside Inc., which played a major role in organizing the event, handed cheques to representatives of all five tall ships. All told close to $100,000 was distributed.
Earlier that day the Summerside wharf was filled with sight-seers eager to catch a glimpse of the five tall ships before they left for their home ports.
Total Purse: $ 97,000
Order of Finish Purse Won
1. Spirit of Bermuda $ 40,000
2. Pride of Baltimore II 26,000
3. Virginia 13,000
4. PaPa I 9,000
5. Mist of Avalon 9,000
