When trottleman James Hadeed won the 42nd edition of the Carib Great Race aboard Heatwave last year, he joined his dad Jimmy in the elite group of boatmen to have won the prestigious event. Even more exclusive was the list of father/son pairs to have claimed the title, a feat which only Mr Solo's Ken Charles and his children Curtis and Sheldon had previously performed. Nearly two decades earlier in 1982, Jimmy had won the Great Race riding the 28' Bowen Coyote. A lifelong enthusiast, Jimmy's fascination with the ocean stems back to his childhood spent watching local regattas at the T&T Yacht Club. He purchased his first boat, Champ (21'), in 1980 and the following year, bought Coyote, which he raced until 1984. "I spent all my life at sea and James was always around boats growing up so it was natural for him to get involved in the sport," he told the Guardian recently. "Since he was small, I think he learned a lot from being around me."
In 1993, James entered his first Great Race at just 16-years-old, placing sixth overall on the 24' Formula Two Fresh Up. He waited until 2009 before giving it another try, this time on Heatwave, a 29' Extreme he purchased from Guy Costa. Teaming with driver Gary Johnson and crew chief Nick Gomes, they ran out of fuel with a mile to go on their first attempt but returned the next year to capture the overall title. "It's an unexplainable feeling when you win the Great Race for the first time," he reflected. "It's something you have to experience for yourself to truly appreciate." James said he feels fortunate to share a passion with his father. "My dad's been on the scene a long time and just having his support is something that a lot of people never experience with their parents. Most people do it with their friends but to do this with your father is even more exciting."
Although Jimmy enjoyed James's victory last year even more than his own in 1982, the experience of watching his son on the water still took a toll on his nerves. "I'm very tense when James is racing because I know the dangers involved. If anyone makes a misjudgment, there's going to be chaos and it can all change very quickly." Contrary to the popular perception, Jimmy maintained that there was little enjoyment to be had while racing between the islands, though he did concede that the after party was worth the stress. "It's exciting at the start but by time you pass Maracas, all the adrenaline stops and you ask yourself, 'What am I doing out here?' It's just tension and nervousness and even when you see Tobago, you're just praying that the boat stays together." Looking ahead to August 27, James said the Heatwave crew's major goal would be to arrive in Scarborough in one piece, which considering the obstacles would be an accomplishment in itself. "It would be nice to see all the boats finish this year. That would be the ultimate thing for the sport right now because it's now on its way back up." He added that the team was enjoying the preparations leading up to the big day. "It's just about putting the boat together right now. It's not something we do as a job, it's something we like doing. The challenges make it more exciting. The fact that we have such close friends working together is what it's about.
