There is great speculation as to who Premier the Hon. Ralph O’Neal will choose to represent him.

In the next few days, Premier Ralph T. O’Neal has a very important decision to make if he plans to stay ahead of his competitors and it’s not about to be made in the halls of the National Assembly, neither between his trusted Cabinet Members.

On Tuesday August 5, the Premier and the Governor, David Pearey will duke it out on the waters of Tortola in the “Great Festival Sloop Shootout” for the fifth year.

The race is usually held during the Water Sports on August Tuesday as part of the Emancipation Festival activities.

According to race coordinator, Geoffrey Brooks, the Premier has indicated that he will be unable to board the sloop for the race, but instead, has opted to select a representative.

“We have gotten the indication that the Premier will assign someone to represent him, but he has not said who he will choose. There is great speculation as to who Premier the Hon. Ralph O’Neal will choose to represent him,” Brooks disclosed.

The odds are heavily stacked against the Governor as the Premier (formerly Chief Minister) has won on two occasions, while tying two others.

Governor Pearey has participated in the race on two occasions, loosing one and tying the other.

Brooks said that the first time the race was held, many persons called from the Government to register their support for the former Chief Minister, Dr. D. Orlando Smith.

“We have had great excitement in the past for this particular race because the Premier and the Governor are actually commanding their crew and besides both of them want to win,” Brooks noted.

Governor Pearey will skipper the ‘Sea Moon” while the Premier’s representative will take the helm of the “Moon Beam”.

Brooks noted that a third boat, “Youth Instructor” will be on the waters and is likely to be skippered by the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) and will include college professors.

The race is sponsored by the HLSCC’s Centre for Applied Marine Studies, Royal BVI Yacht Club, Loyal West End Yacht Club and the Virgin Islands Powerboat Association.