Soul Rebel new Carib Great Race kings

YESTERDAY’S annual Carib Great Race powerboat classic from Trinidad to the sister isle of Tobago produced a new winner to the surprise of many. Soul Rebel stormed past the finish line at Store Bay to claim the top spot for the first time in 11 years. Mr Solo Too meanwhile was still able to break the course record with an impressive ride that even they themselves might have been surprised with. But in  the end Mr Solo Too’s crew were left disgusted, not so much with their finish, but moreso how it happened.

Sunday Newsday learnt that officials of the Powerboats Association implemented a staggered start system which was a handicap to Mr Solo Too at the start. It was said that the start was aimed at making the event more competitive or making the event even to all participants. However Mr Solo Too, who has been unbeaten in the event for the past ten years, vented their disgust claiming that the move was aimed at taking away the advantage that the lengthy Catamaran had on its opponents. At the final tally, Mr Solo Too finished the race in fifth position, well behind a number of competitors who were not in their class.

Matrix had done enough for a second place finish while Dingolay secured third position in the race. Extreme ended in an impressive fourth position followed by the race favourites, the ever powerful Mr Solo Too. Marketing manager of Carib Brewery Colin Murray told Sunday Newsday,  he felt that the gesture by the race officials to stagger the start was a good initiative but things need to be worked out. It was also said that unusual sea conditions may have been the reason for such a good performance by all boats. Sunday Newsday learnt that the conditions at sea were unusually calm and it allowed some boats to do better than they have done in the past years. 

A source told Sunday Newsday that although the race did not go down well in favour of Mr Solo Too, it did not mean that the other boats did not perform well. “Probably Mr SoloToo just did not meet the standard that race officials had set for it on the day. “The other boats did better than expected on the calm seas, while Mr Solo Too probably just did not have what it takes to get the better of their opponents this time around, but it was a real test of their mettle and certainly a chance for Mr Solo Too to improve its time,” sources said.