One of the interesting features of the Anguilla Yacht Regatta is the Second Annual West End Cup 12-metre race. The event is scheduled to begin on Saturday, May 10, at 9 o’clock at Sandy Ground, several hours prior to the Battle of the Banks competition, another component of the fun-filled regatta.

Temenos and CuisinArt staff team up for Regatta

The West End Cup race will feature the defending champions – the Temenos sailing team racing Stars & Stripes and captained by Nicola Eckel, Office Manager/Human Resources. The Temenos team won the trophy last year when they competed against the Viceroy crew. The CuisinArt Resort & Spa racers, whose captain is Kevin Carty, Assistant Financial Controller, are the newcomers to the yacht race and, with a mixed and enthusiastic crew of experienced and non sailors, will be attempting to dethrone the Temenos champions.

The two sides were brought together by Matt Tremble and other members of the Anguilla Sailing Association at a press briefing at the Temenos Golf Clubhouse on Tuesday this week. He said that the main focus of the event and the regatta on a whole was to raise funds for the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club. He was grateful to all participating persons for their support of a worthy cause.

Speaking on behalf of her team, Nicola Eckle said they were very excited to race against the CuisinArt team in defence of their championship and hoped that their competitors were prepared for the challenge.

Replying, Kevin Carty stated that it was a privilege, pleasure and honour to be participating in the sailing competition. “We are newcomers but we are aiming at winning. We are going to put up a big challenge and have lots of fun as well,” he commented.

CuisinArt’s General Manager, Stephane Zaharia, said that the resort’s team wanted to participate in the sailing competition for the past three years. “Finally somebody is willing to compete against us. Knowing our team who will be on the boat, you will see our backs. Good luck to you. I know there is a lot of pressure on you guys to win it again but think again,” he told the Temenos team.

According to Laurie Gumbs of the Anguilla Sailing Association, the race course of 26 nautical miles will leave Sandy Ground, go around Anguillita, into Maundays Bay, up in front the beach at CuisinArt, out to the stipulated mark and back down to Anguillita and up to the finishing line just outside Road Bay, Sandy Ground. The race will be held in open view of guests at the hotels stringing the shoreline and beach areas of the island.

Flag’s Director of Public Relations, Arnie Hodge, said Temenos was always eager to participate in any activity of assistance to the development of the island’s young people.

“That is one of the main reasons why we do it, but that is secondary to the purpose of helping with the development of Anguilla, and so thanks to the Sailing Association for a job well done over the past six years and we wish you all the best for the future,” Mr. Hodge added.

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