This year’s boat-racing season started with a church service, a ribbon cutting ceremony and a B Class boat race. Speaker of the House of Assembly, David Carty, praised the new boat racing committee for formalizing the national sport in this way.

Boat racing season opens

He was speaking at the official opening ceremony held at Sandy Ground, on March 25, that was chaired by Hulia Carty. The event started with the National Song, rendered beautifully by nine-year old Laesha Hobson, followed by a recording of the national boat race song by D J Ritchie.

Rev John Gumbs urged the boat captains and crews to keep the sport clean and not to get involved with fixing races. He asked them to aim for perfection and to continue to improve and said a prayer for the safety of all involved in the races this season.

Crew of De Storm

Director of Sports, Alkins Rogers, said he was excited at the prospects of boat racing this year and challenged the new committee to work together for success comparing them to the crew of a boat and hoping that the winds and sea will be favourable. He asked the boat owners and captains to cooperate with the committee. He reported that the Government recognizes boat racing as the national sport of Anguilla and was giving financial resources for its development. Rogers congratulated the association and wished all the captains and crews all the best.

Speaker of the House, David Carty, spoke of the deep roots of boating in the Anguillian culture and observed that although it was a living for most people they made a sport out of it. In declaring the boat racing season opened he wished for a fun-filled, competitive and safe season for all. The ribbon was cut by well-known boating enthusiast Percy Romney.

Following the opening ceremony six B Class boats, three from St Martin and three from Anguilla, took part in the first race of the season. The Anguilla boats took the first three places. First place was Storm, captained by Gerard Smith, second was IOBB and the third was Tornado. Trophies were presented to the three winning crews.

The next boat races will be held on Easter Monday.

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