The third annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup concluded in Long Island as Shroud led by captain Fernando DeCardenas took home the championship title.

New Providence made sloop, ‘Shroud’ dazzled spectators on the sea during the C-Class races in Salt Pond Harbor. Their flawless performance led them to victory amidst stiff competition.     

The Goombay Punch Cup competition is initiative developed by Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper's performance across three Regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.      

Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director for CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.

“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand—it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture.” he said.

Shroud’s owner and sailor, Jason Robertson, shared the team’s reaction to winning.
“It was exciting when we heard Shroud being called the winner. I did not even know we were contenders. Coming into this regatta we had two fifths overall, so I was not hopeful. We knew we sailed well on the final day so winning the Goombay Cup was a great surprise and a proud moment for the whole crew.

The winning team consists of: Fernando Decardenas, Skipper; Jason Robertson, Main Sheet; Jennifer Robertson, Pry; Charles Kelly, Bowman; Dwayne Wallas, Bowman; Andrew Symonette, Scott Patterson and Joss Knowles, Pry Crew.

Robertson shared that winning felt “rewarding.”

“Sailing these boats is a lot of work and there is a lot of maintenance that goes into them off the water, so it feels great to have that time spent recognized with a win.” he expressed. As for how they’ll spend their $5,000 prize money and the $8,000 stipend awarded to their junior sailing school, Robertson revealed that the funds will be used to further advance the sport.

“These sloops take a lot of time and money to maintain. We are very proud of the win for the prize money that will go to the Bahamas National Sailing School. The work they do with junior sailors is fantastic and so important for the future of our National Sport.” he said.

Competition aside, Robertson encouraged future Goombay Punch Cup competitors to keep up the art and sport of sailing. He stressed the importance of “good clean” sailing and how consistency is key because every regatta is an opportunity to grow and develop.