In memory of Doug Myers, a mainstay of Caribbean racing, a bunch of his former crew members got together to race the Henderson 35 ENZYME in Racing Class 4 at Antigua Sailing Week 2005. Myers was a fixture at Sailing Week, having participated in more ASWs than anyone else � most of them in his Soverel 43 LEGACY.
Schooled by Myers, who passed away last year, ENZYME carried the #1 flag on her bow and transom. The Race Committee named one of the marks for Dougie and before the third race the crew dropped a wreath of roses and carnations over the mark�s peak, poured some rum on the water next to the mark and said some respectful words.
As on LEGACY, UK Miami�s Mark Wood sailed on ENZYME. The boat sailed with all UK Ultra genoas. Because of uncharacteristically light winds, the 143% No. 1 became the workhorse of the regatta. �With the jib cars a little more forward and with a little twist, we powered up in the heavy left over chop,� said Mark Wood. �We were very fast, making up most of our time upwind.�
�For almost 20 years I sailed with Dougie at ASW,� said Wood. �It was a blast win or lose.
�Bigger than life, passionate about Caribbean sailing, especially Antigua Sailing Week, Dougie Myers was a special person. During Sailing Week he and the crew always stayed in a quiet cottage near Dickenson Bay � no television and phones. Instead we drank rum and talked about the day�s race and made plans for the next round of modifications to LEGACY. It was to his credit that he managed to keep an old Soverel 43 competitive.
�He liked to say that LEGACY was more powerful than other boats its size and frequently warned me when ever he placed a sail order �she will bust 'em up!� He was right of course so we learned to take special care whenever LEGACY 's sails were in the loft. He will be missed by all. His crew already misses him.�
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