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In the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan the theme for the 2005 Festival is 'Sailing Ahead - Helping Grenada Rebuild', organizers report that they have more local support than ever. In addition, it is particularly apt that this year's Workboat Regatta is sponsored by two of the companies who have been at the forefront of the island's restoration effort - Cable & Wireless Grenada Ltd. and Grenada Electricity Services Ltd. (Grenlec).

'It is a real tribute to Grenadian resilience to find so many companies rallying to support this post-Ivan Festival and we are extremely grateful to everyone for helping us make the event happen,' said Festival Chairman James ROBINSON. Speaking about the Workboat Regatta, Mr. Robinson said, 'We are delighted that these two important companies (Cable & Wireless Grenada Ltd. and Grenada Electricity Services Ltd.) are giving us their support to make this important National event happen despite Hurricane Ivan. Both have played a major role in getting the island back up and with their invaluable help we will be able to provide everyone, both overseas visitors and Grenadians, with a much needed week-end of great sailing, music, food and fun.'

The unique spectacle of some forty brightly painted wooden, bamboo rigged boats lined along Grand Anse Beach - representing all the traditional fishing and sailing communities of Gouyave, Sauteurs, Woburn, and sister islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique - has become a major highlight of the LaSource Grenada Sailing Festival and attracts huge crowds of local supporters and visitors every year.

As always, there will be some hard fought racing throughout Saturday, making Grand Anse Beach the most exciting place to be for supporters and spectators. The Organisers are pleased to announce that they will be providing cash prizes and trophies for first, second and third placings in all classes, so competition will be hot.

However, the atmosphere will be even hotter on Sunday, starting with the Coca Cola National Team Sailing Championships. Junior and Senior teams representing each sailing community will match race in the GSF16s for the sought after National Team Champion titles and trophies. Following this, supporters have another chance to cheer on their favourites, when the top placed crews from each racing class take over the GSF 16s and hit the water to match-race to become the Cable & Wireless/Grenlec Work Boat Skipper of the Year - one of the most exciting races of the weekend. Cash prizes of US$1,000.00, US$500.00 and US$250.00 will be up for the taking, plus the Island Water World Trophy.

Throughout the week-end visitors will be able to enjoy a great selection of steel pan music from some of the island's best pan sides as well as entertainment from live local bands, with the heat kept right up by Blackstorm, one of Grenada's top DJs. No sailing event can take place in Grenada without the tradition of plentiful supplies of good food, which again will be provided this year by Deyna's Tasty Foods. Also, Cable & Wireless promise special events and promotions each day, ending with a high spot on Sunday afternoon when the winner of the prize draw for a brand new Range Rover will be announced.