As has now become an Anguillian tradition, the Seventh Annual Anguilla Regatta is again the venue of the hotly-contested Battle of the Banks between the National Bank (which has held the trophy for the past year) and its perennial rival, Caribbean Commercial Bank.

Getting set for Battle-of-the-Banks

On Saturday, May 9, crews from the two indigenous banks will board their lovely 12-metre yachts to battle it out for this year’s bragging rights. Each bank has won three times in the past six years, so this year will be the tiebreaker. NBA will have its favourite boat, Stars & Stripes, and CCB will compete on True North 1V.

Peter Parles, speaking on behalf of the Anguilla Sailing Association, said the Battle of the Banks was a very exciting event for the island as well as the regatta. He said the race would commence at Road Bay at 10 a.m. on Saturday, lasting for about two hours. “The boats will go on what we call ‘a beach jam course,’” Mr. Parles explained. “They will dip into a mark at Meads Bay, go around Anguillita, then back up into Maundays Bay, off the beach at Cap Juluca, up into Rendezvous Bay, just off the beach at CuisinArt Resort and then back to Road Bay.”

He said great winds were expected this weekend and it was expected that the boats would be off to a quick start.

Peter Parles (centre) with hotel trophy. Donald Curtis and Tara Maynard at Frangipani Beach Resort

Romare Kelsick, Captain of the NBA team, said they were excited to be challenging CCB for the seventh year. He vowed to retain the trophy saying a number of new recruits were added to the team to defend the trophy and to return it to the bank’s Board Room. Cleo Ham, Captain of the CCB team, said they were really the champions when it came to the Battle of the Banks and declared that they would win the tiebreaker. Both banks will have a crew of fifteen sailors along with some three professional crew members on each yacht.

Mr. Parles said that a second race would begin at about 2.00 p.m. between the winner of last year’s competition, CuisinArt Resort and Spa, and a composite challenger crew comprising four local businesses. He named them to be Frangipani Beach Resort, Straw Hat Restaurant, the Pump House and Medical Air Services Association (MASA).

For the delight of onshore viewers, the competitors will sail a course tailored to display the tactics of the “Greyhounds of the Sea” to as many spectators as possible. The racers will duel around the western end of the island, make a turn at CuisinArt Resort and will then return to the finish line at Road Bay.

On Sunday, May 10, a lifetime experience will be offered to sailors and landlubbers alike – the opportunity to be crew members on the two 12-metre yachts in the third race of the weekend. It is the first time that this special and unique event is being offered to the Anguillian public. Only 36 spaces are available so it is advisable that interested persons register quickly. The registration fee is US$150 per person. All net proceeds will go to the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club. The contact person is Peter Parles who can be reached by calling 584-4636 or 235-8300.

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