The fourth annual Anguilla Regatta was held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 12, 13 & 14 and proved once again to be a great success according to the organizers.

Some of the visitng yachts in the Regatta.

Twenty yachts participated from all over the Caribbean region and sailors from all over the world descended on Anguilla. “We had people from all over the Caribbean as well as Germany, Holland, France, the USA and Canada who all came to sail, and they have all said they’d be back next year” said Peter Parles of the Anguilla Sailing Association. “People are talking about this great regatta which not only includes great sailing, but also all the fun and hospitality associated with Anguilla, and the wonderful people who are always so welcoming to the island’s visitors.”

The 2006 Anguilla Regatta was presented by the Anguilla Sailing Association in cooperation with the Anguilla Tourist Board, and Festivals Office and had great assistance from the Royal Anguilla Police Force, HM Customs, HM Immigration, and all of the businesses and residents on Sandy Ground as well as over 100 local and international sponsors. The Anguilla Sailing Association would like to thank all of the sponsors and volunteers who gave time, money and support for this event.

CCB’s racing team on True North

Friday’s conditions were great for the first day’s yacht race which took the boats on a new course. Rather than going around the island, it was decided to bring the race closer to the spectators on shore and the “Beach Jam” course was created. This course saw the yachts starting off of Meads Bay and going down, below Anguillita and back up to a mark just off the beach at Cap Juluca Hotel. The yachts then proceeded to a mark outside Maundays Bay and went on to another point just off the beach at CuisinArt Resort and Spa where they rounded and headed back to Road Bay.

Anguilla was well represented in the yacht racing with four yachts. Richard and Maryse West, on board Charm III, took home prizes two out of the three days. Vince Cate, making his first appearance in any regatta, had a third place finish on Saturday on his new boat Sargasso-1. Luke Thomas, making his fourth appearance on his yacht Argonauta, finished better than in any previous year and this regatta’s biggest surprise saw Steve Donahue and his crew taking two firsts and a third in the Open Class on board Juluca.

NBA’s racing team on Stars and Stripes

Saturday saw lots of excitement as four races were scheduled to take place. There were two yacht races scheduled for the morning. Light winds caused a course change and lighter winds in the late morning saw the courses shortened but all sailors reported a nice day on the water and a great time later in the day on the beach at Sandy Ground. Saturday also brought out the competitive sides of the two indigenous banks on the island. The fourth annual “Battle of the Banks” took place on board two 12 metre boats provided by St. Maarten 12 metre Challenge with the National Bank of Anguilla sailing Stars & Stripes and the Caribbean Commercial Bank trimming the sails on board True North IV. The battle saw the banks sailing the “Beach Jam Course” and the spectators around the island enjoyed seeing these beautiful yachts come in close to the beaches at Meads Bay, Maundays Bay and Rendezvous Bay. The race was close all the way through and, despite light winds and a few squalls – including a full fledged thunderstorm and a downpour – the competitive spirit of these two teams kept the boats even throughout the race. As the yachts were on the final stretch to the finish line in Road Bay, True North IV pulled ahead a won the race by only 12 seconds! Both teams hit the beach and the prize giving with the promise that they will be back next year. CCB’s win in the 2006 Regatta evens the “Battle of the Banks” with each team winning twice. Next year will be the tie breaker and both team captains are already planning their personnel and positions to bring their bank on top.

Due to very light winds on Saturday afternoon, the Anguilla “Mix-Up” Boat Race had to be cancelled.

Sunday saw the yachts go out on a short course with great wind and a lot of fun. A few visitors to the island also had a chance to participate on some of the yachts. Most of the people on the beach on Sunday were there for one thing and that was the “Sir Bobby Velasquez Anguilla Boat Race.” This is the first year that this race was for points and it brought out the real competitive nature of all of the sailors. Nine boats showed up and the race took the same “Beach Jam Course” that brought the race to the spectators once again. Great prizes were provided by the Anguilla Sailing Association valued at over US$4000 and, in the end, fifth place went to De Chan which won a Garmin Handheld GPS. Fourth place went to Satellite which won two anchors. Third place was taken by Light & Peace who went home with two sets of blocks and three turnbuckles. UFO was in second place after a string of first place finishes. The captain and crew won 15 life jackets for their efforts and, in first place was De Tree which will be adding two brand new Harken winches to their boat. “The Anguilla Sailing Association and the regatta committee really appreciate the efforts of all those who came out for Sunday’s Boat Race” said Laurie Gumbs, another organizer of the event. “This is a chance for all of us to show the world what sailing is all about in Anguilla. We are inviting the world to come sail with us, and having these traditional boats as part of this festival really makes a difference and makes the Anguilla Regatta stand out among other similar events in the region.”

Plans have already started for the 2007 Anguilla Regatta and dates will be announced shortly. The Anguilla Sailing Association is about to launch the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club to teach sailing to the youth of Anguilla. More information can be obtained by calling Ian Brunswick at 584-1947. Volunteers are always welcome for the regatta and it is never too early to get involved. For more information about the Anguilla Sailing Association, the Anguilla Regatta or the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club, please visit www.sailanguilla.com.

- Contributed

Team members from CCB & NBA Photos courtesy Ivor Hodge

Team members from CCB and NBA Photos courtesy Ivor Hodge

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News