The Anguilla Yacht Regatta, now in its sixth year, is scheduled for May 9, 10 and 11. It includes the Battle of the Banks, a keen competition involving sailing teams from the Caribbean Commercial Bank, holder of the trophy for the past two years, and the National Bank of Anguilla which is determined to regain the championship title.

The captains of both teams and some of their members, along with Matt Tremble of the Board of Directors of the Anguilla Sailing Association, held a press briefing on Tuesday, April 29, to discuss the May 10 12-metre race between the two indigenous banks.

Mr. Tremble reported that the current winning records for the banks were CCB, which pilots True North 4, three wins and NBA which pilots Stars and Stripes, two wins. “Both teams have become accustomed to their vessels and I don’t think they want to change at this time and point,” he stated. “Caribbean Commercial Bank is ahead by one race so this year National Bank of Anguilla can even the score but only time will tell. The race is scheduled for 3.00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, so cross your fingers for good weather.”

Cleo Hamm, CCB’s Research and Advertising Officer, who filled in for Myrna Sasso, captain of True North 4, described the competition as being “friendly rivalry.” He said boat-racing was an Anguillian tradition and his bank was “very proud to be part of such an event.” He added: “Like our boat’s name that’s where we are heading – always to the top. So far we have 25 people ready to get on the boat.”

Romare Kelsick, Head of Data Processing at NBA, and captain of Stars & Stripes, commented that like his CCB opponents, “Our tactic is to win by any means necessary.” He observed that the model yacht trophy had been at CCB for two consecutive years. “It looks rather strange to me because I have not seen it for sometime so it is really time to bring this trophy home. The Stars & Stripes along with our crew at NBA will definitely be redeeming ourselves this year because, as our motto says, ‘we are more than banking’ and one thing we hate to do is to lose. We always try to be the best in everything and we will be taking that same spirit into the race.”

The three-hour race, which starts and ends at Sandy Ground, will cover a distance of 26 nautical miles. The boats, stationed in St. Maarten, are meticulously maintained on a daily basis and are among the most used pleasure vessels in the region for cruises.

Matt Tremble explained: “The boats and crews are equally matched for the banks’ challenge race and the only difference on the day of the race will be the people manning the boats, how well they pay attention, how quickly they can crank and the response time. The difference is in the crew.”

He said the route for the general yacht regatta including the banks’ competition was called the “Beach Jam Course.” That is because “it brings the boats into the western beaches where there are some of the larger hotels so visitors to the island can also be involved in the race as spectators.”

Mr. Tremble added: “We would like to thank everyone involved in the Anguilla Sailing Association which in turn raises funds for the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club. That’s why we are doing this so that we can teach the national sport in Anguilla to the island’s youth.”

L-R: Romare Kelsick, Marisa Gumbs, Cherecia Lewis and Cleo Hamm

The Anguilla Yacht Regatta, now in its sixth year, is scheduled for May 9, 10 and 11. It includes the Battle of the Banks, a keen competition involving sailing teams from the Caribbean Commercial Bank, holder of the trophy for the past two years, and the National Bank of Anguilla which is determined to regain the championship title.

The captains of both teams and some of their members, along with Matt Tremble of the Board of Directors of the Anguilla Sailing Association, held a press briefing on Tuesday, April 29, to discuss the May 10 12-metre race between the two indigenous banks.
Mr. Tremble reported that the current winning records for the banks were CCB, which pilots True North 4, three wins and NBA which pilots Stars and Stripes, two wins. “Both teams have become accustomed to their vessels and I don’t think they want to change at this time and point,” he stated. “Caribbean Commercial Bank is ahead by one race so this year National Bank of Anguilla can even the score but only time will tell. The race is scheduled for 3.00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, so cross your fingers for good weather.”

Cleo Hamm, CCB’s Research and Advertising Officer, who filled in for Myrna Sasso, captain of True North 4, described the competition as being “friendly rivalry.” He said boat-racing was an Anguillian tradition and his bank was “very proud to be part of such an event.” He added: “Like our boat’s name that’s where we are heading – always to the top. So far we have 25 people ready to get on the boat.”

Romare Kelsick, Head of Data Processing at NBA, and captain of Stars & Stripes, commented that like his CCB opponents, “Our tactic is to win by any means necessary.” He observed that the model yacht trophy had been at CCB for two consecutive years. “It looks rather strange to me because I have not seen it for sometime so it is really time to bring this trophy home. The Stars & Stripes along with our crew at NBA will definitely be redeeming ourselves this year because, as our motto says, ‘we are more than banking’ and one thing we hate to do is to lose. We always try to be the best in everything and we will be taking that same spirit into the race.”

The three-hour race, which starts and ends at Sandy Ground, will cover a distance of 26 nautical miles. The boats, stationed in St. Maarten, are meticulously maintained on a daily basis and are among the most used pleasure vessels in the region for cruises.

Matt Tremble explained: “The boats and crews are equally matched for the banks’ challenge race and the only difference on the day of the race will be the people manning the boats, how well they pay attention, how quickly they can crank and the response time. The difference is in the crew.”

He said the route for the general yacht regatta including the banks’ competition was called the “Beach Jam Course.” That is because “it brings the boats into the western beaches where there are some of the larger hotels so visitors to the island can also be involved in the race as spectators.”

Mr. Tremble added: “We would like to thank everyone involved in the Anguilla Sailing Association which in turn raises funds for the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club. That’s why we are doing this so that we can teach the national sport in Anguilla to the island’s youth.”

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