When it rains, it pours. For the owners of Ocean Sails/Doyle Bermuda, Suzanne and Steve Hollis, it was pouring torn sails last week.

High winds during the annual Newport to Bermuda race resulted in a mass of torn canvas which has proved a welcome boost for the St. George's business which has been struggling to keep up with repairs by putting in 12 to 15 hour days to keep up with demand. Speaking with The Royal Gazette at the end of last week, a very tired Mr. Hollis said: "It was a pretty fast paced race down here and a lot of pumping of sails, a lot of spinnaker damage as well as mainsails and genoas. Basically its a big mound of sails that has to get done in a short period of time."

As far as the type of repairs, Mr. Hollis said: "Everything from serious tears to completely blown out spinnakers, piecing them back together." As the sails came into repair Mr. Hollis was too busy working to keep count but said simply: "They come in and go out, it has been a bunch of truck loads."

"It happens twice a year every year for us.

"Summertime is usually busier but when you have a one day turnaround with ten or 15 sails, it gets pretty hectic, but we managed to handle it."

He said they never really knew how much demand there was for repairs but they tried to be prepared at all times.

Mr. Hollis said: "It is good for business and good for Bermuda all the way around." He added: "We certainly welcome the boating fraternity and I wish Bermuda would better understand the value that these people put into the economy."

Ms Hollis said: "Things are quieting down a little bit, but it has been great. It is so nice to have these guys come through. We are flat out but it is exciting. We just try to make sure the customers are happy and they get their sails in a timely fashion."

Mr Hollis said that by yesterday, with repairs completed, most of the boats would have left the Island, and added: "It was a pretty quick hectic first couple of days as there was a race on Friday." He said those boats racing on Friday who needed sails repaired were given preference.

The Newport Bermuda race is actually a series of five races known as the "Onion Patch Series," which included two races in New York organised by the New York Yacht Club, the race to Bermuda, and two races whilst in local waters, organised by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

Although more than 170 boats competed in the ocean crossing, approximately 35 took part in the two races held on Friday in the Great Sound.

Ocean Sails/Doyle Bermuda has been in business for 25 years and the company moved into a new building on Water Street East, St. George's in November which Mr. Hollis said had made a big difference. "More space, nicer atmosphere. It is a really nice working environment."