Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5866/-1/140/
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Tourist Board Supports Anguilla Regatta
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The Anguilla Regatta that is to take place on May 9, 10 and 11 promises to be bigger and better than ever. The Government of Anguilla, through the Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB), on Friday presented the Anguilla Sailing Association (ASA) with a cheque for US$25,000.00 making them the headline sponsor of the event. The Regatta is being organized for the sixth year by the ASA and all the proceeds will go to the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club.
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Presentation of cheque to Sailing Association
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In presenting the cheque, Director of Tourism, Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, said the ATB is pleased to work with the ASA to raise the profile of the event and to promote the island. She expressed the hope that the Regatta will be successful and will go from strength to strength.
Laurie Gumbs, a committee member of the ASA, thanked the ATB saying, that each year the Regatta has improved and it has enabled the organization to support the young sailors. He said that there is enthusiastic support from the local sailing boats for the race on Sunday (sponsored by Bobby Velasquez) when crew members from the yachts are invited to go on the local boats. There will be free entertainment each evening of the Regatta right on the beach at Sandy Ground where there are also a number of restaurants.
The event starts on Thursday evening with registration at the ASA headquarters and skipper’s briefing at Roy’s Bayside Grill. There are seven competitive races during the three day event, with a demonstration race by young sailors on Sunday showing how they have progressed. A much anticipated and exciting event is the Battle of the Banks, when the National Bank of Anguilla and the Caribbean Commercial Bank compete in the 12 meter yachts from St Maarten.
There are already yachts registered from Antigua, St Maarten, St Martin, St Barths, St Kitts and the British Virgin Islands. More registrations are expected during the next two weeks. The St Maarten Yacht Club is assisting in the organization of the event.
Other sponsors for the Regatta include Caribbean Cable Communications, Digicel, Anguilla Rums, Orchard, Romney Beck and Associates and American Express.
This year’s regatta will feature seven competitive races.