Lianne Robinson, Gleaner Writer
Prize winners of the Clipper-Ventures yacht race with Patrice Wynmore Flynn (centre), widow of Errol Flynn, in whose honour and memory the Port Antonio Marina was renamed this week. - CONTRIBUTED
ON TUESDAY night at 6.30, hundreds turned out for the awards ceremony of leg six of the Clipper-Ventures Round the World Yacht Race. Those who attended included crew of the yachts, their families, organisers from Clipper-Ventures and representatives of the Port Authority. Robert Stephens of the Port Authority gave a short speech in which he offered a welcome to the crew of the yachts, their families and guests of honour, who included Mrs. Patrice Wymore-Flynn and Dr. Donald Rhodd. Colin De Mowray, head of operation at Clipper-Ventures, then began the presentations to the winners of the race.
Mrs. Flynn presented each of the three skippers from Durban, Western Australia and New York with ceremonial Caribbean cockerel and Errol Flynn T-shirts, which she signed for them.
The event coincided with the announcement that the Port Antonio Marina was to be renamed as the Errol Flynn Marina. Mrs. Flynn, his widow, was excited at the occasion as she described the endearing tribute to Errol as perfect in so many ways. "He loved the sea and adored Port Antonio, this is a wonderful union of his passions."
The party was held at the grounds of the marina overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It was elaborately decorated with pink and green. The finger buffet was beautifully served on palm leaves and handed around to guests by waiters wearing green shirts with pink neckerchiefs to coordinate with the décor. Chefs prepared the food over burners at the front of the venue for all the guests to see the local delicacies being made. Food included Caribbean favourites chicken in tarragon sauce, shrimp in breadcrumbs, sweet potato crisps and mango.
DRINKS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Dessert, served at the far end of the pier, was a popular choice with guests indulging in a selection of cheesecakes and treats. Drinks flowed throughout the night, the men relaxed with the favourite Jamaican beer - Red Stripe - while the ladies at the party enjoyed a selection of frozen drinks, including piña coladas, daiquiris, smoothies and a selection of freshly shaken cocktails from the cosmopolitan bar. As the sun set over the harbour, guests were entertained by a local band and traditional dancers on a stage designed around the Clipper-yacht theme.
Some of the crowd adopted a Caribbean feel for things by wearing Jamaican dreadlocked hats. Everyone was in good spirits as the event, organised by the Port Authority of Jamaica, went on into the night.
