Sixth Jet AroundCayman weekend ... Bigger and Better
This year'sJAC festivities also featured a bevy of beauties, including MissCayman Islands 2002 (left) who participated in a crowd pleasingfashion show. Photo:David Goddard
Jet Around Cayman celebrated its sixth anniversarythis past holiday weekend with the biggest weekend ever. The eagerlyanticipated annual event, which has become a sports legacy inCayman, attracted well over 12,000 people to its line up of attractions.
In true, larger than life JAC style, thebiggest beach fete in Cayman expanded to include all the favouriteannual events and some additional ones to keep visitors, familiesand fans of all ages entertained for the whole weekend.
Whether you wanted to party, put your athleticskills to the test or just spend time with your family, JAC 2002had something for everyone.
This year, JAC was hosted by hot new radiostation, Vibe 98.9 FM. True to its name and reputation as theCayman Island's foremost Urban Caribbean music source, Vibe gotthe party started in grand style.
On Friday 14th June, the JAC festivitiesofficially began with the explosive Heineken Soca Showdown. Thiselectrifying live concert took place under the stars, at a newlocation known as "The Beach" across from the CinemaComplex, off the Harquail Bypass
Renowned Soca band, Krosfyah, gave a dynamicand energetic performance, which was guaranteed to make you sweat.Krosfyah mashed up the place with their musical stylings and scandalousmoves, fresh from carnival. The concert also featured sensationalheadliners Rupee and Terencia "TC" Coward, who performedsuch hits as "Jump", "Insomnia" and "Kim-The Sequel." It was a socasplosive line-up, that was notto be missed.
Gates opened at 7pm and the first 1,000people to arrive received free souvenir wavers or whistles. TheSoca Showdown boasted the longest bar at a concert event ever,along with great Heineken and Appleton drink specials availablein the JAC 2002 28oz yard glass, and an abundance of deliciousWest Indian food Roti from Singh's Roti Shop, jerk chickenand other Caribbean dishes from Tropical Diner.
The next day of the weekend promised someexhilarating athletic competition, as JAC joined forces with the10th Annual Flowers One Mile Sea Swim, which took place alongCayman's famous Seven Mile Beach! JAC was proud to be workingwith this exciting local sporting event, which drew hundreds ofswimmers from around the world. The Flowers Sea Swim is a favouriteevent of both locals and overseas visitors, and has grown intoan afternoon of entertainment for spectators and swimmers alike.The Flowers Sea Swim was declared one of the top three swims inthe world by Swimmers World Magazine and JAC was delighted tobe working in partnership with the event in supporting CaymanIslands Tourism.
On 16th June, the aquatic adventures continuedwhen JAC launched its first ever Take A Kid Fishing Tournamentat the Kaibo Yacht Club. This family friendly fishing event washeld on Father's Day at the Kaibo and supported JAC's focus onyouth causes in the Cayman Islands. Over 40 children under theage of 14 set sail on the Carib Countess with their parents inan attempt to land the most impressive "catch of the day."The weigh in took place at the Kaibo with the prize giving ceremonyfollowing. There were prizes awarded for a range of categories such as biggest fish, ugliest fish, slimiest fish and more.In all over 20 prizes were awarded and each young anglerreceived a goodie bag courtesy of sponsors Thompson Shipping,Foster Brothers, and Caribbean Utilities Company.
There was also an all-day Fathers Day beachbarbecue at the Kaibo, with snacks provided for kids courtesyof Fosters Food Fair, as well as drinks from Ocean Spray, CastleSprings, and Gatorade, and sunscreen from Hawaiian Tropic. Therewas a full slate of activities for the kids once they finishedfishing, including water sports and prize raffles. Registrationfor this event was free. The Take A Kid Fishing Tournament waslots of fun for the whole family and encouraged children to getinvolved in healthy activities with families and friends.
Prize winners included: Fabian McField biggest fish; Shay Miller smallest fish and slimiest fish;Anielka Rankine ugliest fish; Anique Holness bestnon-fish; Lionel Henry first catch and most caught fish;and Joshua McFarlane-Chisolm sportsmanship award.
And to cap it all off, the action packedJAC finale got underway on Monday 17th June, with the excitingannual JAC Race Day and Beach Bash. This strenuous 52-mile, high-poweredJet Ski race around the island of Grand Cayman is a true testof duration and skill. Winner Jason Smith of Team Barely Legalcame in first with a time of 1 hour, 28 minutes and 23 seconds.
At just 15 years of age, Jason is the youngestwinner in the history of the event. He won the first prize of$2,700, a watch, and a computer worth $1,000. Veteran rider ShaneEdwards of Team 2 Frenzied came in second with a time of 1 hour,33 minutes and 47 seconds, and third place winner Don Patrickof Team Wes Tec Racing came in at 1 hour, 36 minutes and 10 seconds.All of the riders gave it their all, and came in to the PublicBeach to a welcome by the JAC swim suit models.
While the tough contenders were battlingit out on the open seas, there was plenty of entertainment forspectators on the beach. The event held at a new venue thisyear, drew a record crowd to enjoy such entertainment as an exclusivefashion show, presented by Fusion. The latest in cutting edge,high-energy styles, such as Phat Farm, Sean John, J.Lo, Hot Kiss,French Connection and a new exclusive line were revealed on theday of the show, by a line up of local models.
The Natalie Bishop boutique dressed eightlovely JAC models in gorgeous swimsuits, and "A Day In Cayman"outfitted members of the Athletic Association with their comfortablecasual styles. The Athletic Association had refreshments and foodavailable and lots of activities for the kids, including bouncycastles, face painting, games and prizes. DJ Super C from CaymanInternational Disco was on hand to provide all the hottest music,and there were contests, prizes and surprises courtesy of JetAround Cayman, Vibe, Hawaiian Tropic and much, much more.
As always, JAC is dedicated to supportinglocal charities. This year the Athletic Association, Special Olympics,Junior Achievement and 9-year-old Juan Mata Pena, who is awaitinga kidney transplant, were beneficiaries of part proceeds fromthe JAC 2002 events.
- This report submitted by Impact MarketingGroup Ltd