Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products proudly celebrated Shroud, the 2024/2025 winners of The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup competition at the Royal Nassau Sailing Club.

Shroud’s historic victory marks them as the first sloop from New Providence to win the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup competition. The crew lead by skipper Fernando DeCardenas and the boat built by Long Islander Don Knowles fused teamwork, craftsmanship and skills to claim the win.

The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup was created to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper's performance across three major regattas: the Best of the Best Regatta in Nassau, the National Family Island Regatta in Georgetown and the Long Island Regatta in Salt Pond.

The champion is awarded a winning trophy, a $5,000 cheque and a $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing school of the winning sloop’s island.

The evening was filled with laughter, cheer and congratulatory words. Some of which came from The Honorable Clay Sweeting, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs.

To launch the celebrations Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC gave a warm welcome remark to the winners and guests highlighting the significance of the evening.

“The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup celebrates the best of Bahamian sailing. Your exemplary display of hard work and teamwork has awarded you the top honors and we are thrilled to celebrate your efforts,” Thronebury shared.

Sailors and guests enjoyed delectable bites and rousing Bahamian music throughout the night along with a close look to the recently launched limited edition commemorative Shroud Bahamas Goombay Punch cans.

During the celebrations, the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup Champions plaque which now includes Shroud was formally unveiled as well.

Min. Sweeting thanked Caribbean Bottling Company for creating this incredible competition that aims to elevate Bahamian culture.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is doing a wonderful job with initiating the Goombay Punch Cup. It’s important to see civil society come together to support sailing, our national sport, and to encourage people to get involved,” he said.

The night ended with sailors taking home customized Bahamas Goombay Punch trinkets to mark their victory.