By Penny Legg

Last year’s West End Cup Champions, Temenos, took on newcomers CuisinArt Resort and Spa, in a thrilling race that had spectators cheering along Rendezvous Bay beach as each team, on board the spectacular 12 metre racing yachts, battled it out to win the coveted trophy.

Temenos in Stars and Stripes and CuisinArt in True North 4

Temenos, crewing Stars and Stripes, were confident of victory but CuisinArt, on True North 4, looked more at ease in practice, winching and tacking being more polished. As the 3 hour race progressed along the 26 nautical mile ‘Beach Jam Course,’ which took the racers from Road Bay to Rendezvous Bay and back, via Meads Bay, Anguillita and Maundays Bay, True North 4 took a decisive lead, which led to victory for the CuisinArt team.

CuisinArt Captain, Kevin Carty, could hardly contain his jubilation on winning, “It is great to win. It was a hard fought competition. We made a couple of small mistakes but made up for it. We got a very good team and we had an excellent captain. The CuisinArt team just fought the race. We had worthy opponents too you know, I take my hat off to them, they pushed off all the way, to the end.” Explaining how the CuisinArt crew won, Carty continued, “Team work, team spirit; that is the CuisinArt way.”

The Victorious CuisinArt Crew with the West End Cup with General Manager Stephane Zaharia (right)

Stephane Zaharia, General Manager of CuisinArt Resort and Spa, said, “CuisinArt Resort & Spa’s sailing team was delighted to participate in such a noble cause. CuisinArt team and organization is very visible and sensitive to all community projects taking place on Island, from education initiatives to community sponsorships; CuisinArt team will be always present. The sailing association was no different; our organization always participated whether by donating rooms for competition judges, or to participation in one of the races. We are a competitive group of people. Our team was composed of Ladies and Gentlemen representing every Department of the resort. All members of the team earned, by their performance throughout the year, their place on the boat. We used their participation as a performance incentive. It was with great pride that the team won this competition and once again demonstrated that only with strong team work and great communication on board the 12 metre boat, we were able to win the race.”

The Anguilla Regatta is run annually by the Anguilla Sailing Association (ASA), in conjunction with the Anguilla Tourist Board, to raise funds for the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club, which teaches the youth of Anguilla to sail. Peter Parles, President of the ASA, congratulated both teams on their participation. “Temenos, thank you for your continued support,” he said, presenting the second place prize. Presenting the West End Cup to CuisinArt he said, “CuisinArt, a great supporter of the Regatta, has been on board every year. We are happy having you participate and look forward to having you participate in the future. Thank you to everyone.”

Asked if both teams would be back next year, the answer was a loud, resounding ‘YES!’

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