A Canadian writer's life: There's playing with, and then there's toying with ...

Friday, May 11, 2012

There's playing with, and then there's toying with ...

Gringos vs Amigos 44th year of Sol del Sol Regatta.

The basketball spun through the air, swishing perfectly into the net. Two points!

Before the ball had even completed its arc, the Amigos team members were racing back down the court, confident in the outcome of the toss.

The Gringos, the American sailors participating in the traditional Sol del Sol Sailing Regatta, and the Amigos, the local guys, have had this matchup many times before.

The Gringos have won this event only twice

At the beginning of the game, when the organizers were being introduced, the announcer said in perfect English, "The Gringos have won this event twice. Once in the last century. And once in this century."

A slight exaggeration, but basically true. They have won only twice in forty-four years.

The Amigos, good-naturedly, toyed with the opposing team like Harlem Globetrotters teasing a high school team.

Amigos toying with the Gringos

They passed to their teammates without even glancing at the intended recipient, secure in the knowledge that the player would be in position.

They sank baskets without looking, occasionally flipping them backhand into the net.

Granted, they have a slight advantage in that most of the Amigos team members have played together several times for this annual Encuentro Amistoso de Basquetbol.

At half-time, the Gringos plotted to even up their chances by plying their opponents with free beer. It didn't help.

The local guys laughingly took the beers and then drank water, lots of water to re-hydrate.

Even with the energetic cheering of the assorted yacht owners and the stylish cheerleaders, in the end the outcome was the same: Gringos 28 and Amigos 42.

One of the regular Amigo team members

The lively game and good-natured ribbing between the players were enjoyable.

Sitting among the various yacht owners, Lawrie and I, plus Brent Krausar, were cheering for our home team.

The Sol del Sol Regatta features sailboats that chart a course from Florida, then sail close to the western tip of Cuba, finally docking at Isla Mujeres.

Approximate course for Sol del Sol Regatta

This year, there were a few changes to the Mexican Customs registration and check-in, causing major frustration amongst the yachters.

Hopefully, by race time in 2013, that will be sorted out.

This event brings to the island a great group of people who are a financial boon to the local economy.