The weather forecast called for rain and heavy winds for the seventh annual Anguilla Regatta, but the rains kept clear and the winds were perfect for all three days of racing in this year’s event. Regatta organizer, the Anguilla Sailing Association (ASA) says that this year’s regatta was the best one yet with all aspects of the event going smoothly and all of the participants having fun over the three days.

Buget Marine With AYSC Kids

Four classes of boats raced and the competition was tough as yacht sailors from around the Caribbean converged on Road Bay to take part in six different races. Friday’s race took the yachts on a course halfway around the island with marks in Meads Bay, Maundays Bay and Rendezvous Bay. “We have turned sailing into a spectator sport by bringing the boats in as close as possible so people on the beaches can get into the action”, said ASA member Laurie Gumbs. “People don’t usually get to see much during a regatta or boat race, and this course allows us to bring the boats right to where the people are – at the beaches!” Strong winds, with sustained gusts of up to 24 knots, saw record times on this long, 26 mile course. The multihull class was particularly exciting in the high winds as two trimarans reached speeds of up to 25 knots while racing!

Saturday’s yacht course was between Sandy Island and Crocus Bay and was set in a triangle. The short course allows for some great racing and the competition was fierce as all four classes faced off in four races in a brisk wind throughout the day. Also on Saturday, the seventh annual “Battle of the Banks” took place on the St. Maarten 12 Metre America’s Cup boats with Caribbean Commercial Bank taking a 4-3 lead in the ongoing series on board their adopted boat, True North. They edged out the National Bank of Anguilla by a small margin. NBA, last year’s champions, raced aboard Stars & Stripes.

Lesperance with AYSC kids

Saturday afternoon saw Cuisinart Resort & Spa, last year’s winners of the “West End Cup,” successfully defend their title against a combined team made up of Frangipani Beach Resort, The Pumphouse, Medical Air Service Association and Straw Hat Restaurant. Cuisinart retained the Cup sailing on board True North and is the first hotel property to win back to back victories! The challenge has been issued to any and all competitors for next year’s West End Cup race by Cuisinart’s crew.

On Sunday the winds dropped a little which was a great blessing for the Bobby Velasquez Anguilla Boat Race which took place in the afternoon. The day got started with the yachts going on a short course which was enjoyed by all. Prizes were given out early in the day as many boats needed to leave to get back home. Beautiful trophies, as well as a bottle of Laurent Perrier Champagne, were given to first, second and third place finishers in each class.

While the Anguilla boats were racing on the long course which also took them to the beaches, participants enjoyed themselves on the beach in Sandy Ground. Prizes were given to the local racing boats later in the day after all the boats finished and de-rigged.

Satellite wins

There were many new and exciting things in this year’s regatta including a visit and sailing exhibition by two Carriacou sloops. These traditional, wooden sailboats are still handmade, on the beaches in Carriacou (in the Grenadines). Like Anguillian racing boats, there is a great tradition behind these vessels but these are built to sail more than to race. There is a movement afoot to bring a renewed interest in traditional sailing craft throughout the Caribbean and Alexis Andrews, the owner of Genesis, a 40 foot Carriacou sloop was on hand at the Anguilla Regatta to promote the West Indies Regatta which takes place over the Labour Day holiday in St. Barths and featured six Carriacou sloops as well as a Nevis Schooner and a boat hand built in Bequia. Mr. Andrews was nice enough to take a television crew from Sea Nation and other members of the press out for a three hour sail which was highlighted by the accompaniment of Sir Emile Gumbs who told many stories about his time as a sailor.

The Anguilla Boat Race began around 2:30 and saw six boats competing for the Bobby Velasquez trophy. The race was won by Satellite, captained by Emile “Boo” Lloyd, who is a great supporter of the Anguilla Sailing Association and the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club throughout the year. He and his son, Ethan “Rumple” Lloyd accepted the first prize trophy along with a large bottle of Laurent Perrier Champagne and a US$500 gift certificate to Budget Marine.
The Anguilla Sailing Association wishes to thank all of the volunteers and sponsors who made this regatta the best ever! The ASA also wants to give a special thank you to the sailors who return year after year and especially those who took children from the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club. Robbie Ferron, Bobby Velasquez, Ian Hope-Ross and Frits Bus have been constant competitors in this event and all of them sailed with kids from the AYSC.

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