The rain held off as the two teams gathered on the beach awaiting the arrival of the St. Maarten 12 Metre boats for the seventh annual “Battle of the Banks” race which has become a key part of the annual Anguilla Regatta.

The victorious CCB sailing team

Last year’s winners, the National Bank of Anguilla, took the helm of Stars & Stripes while the challengers, Caribbean Commercial Bank, prepared themselves to sail fast on board their adopted boat, True North. The two teams know the course well and were off to a great start with winds topping 20 knots!
With the series tied at three wins apiece, this was an important tiebreaking year, and both teams were enthusiastic about getting the beautiful trophy to spend another year in one bank or the other.

The race stayed close throughout the entire course and the grinders worked hard as the team captains shouted orders to the rest of the crew. As the boats were beating up the coast of Anguilla towards the finish in Road Bay they took two different courses to the same line. In the end it was True North and CCB who crossed first putting them in the lead in this ongoing series.

The victorious CuisinArt sailing team

In the afternoon the teams racing for the West End Cup arrived to have their pre-race briefing on the beach. Defending champions Cuisinart Resort & Spa, sailing on True North (the boat they won on in last year’s regatta), took on a combined team of Frangipani Beach Resort, Medical Air Service Association (MASA), The Pumphouse and Straw Hat Restaurant, who sailed on Stars & Stripes. Both teams were excited as they boarded the tender to get out to the boats and strategies were discussed as everyone was assigned a job to do.

Spectators lined the beaches where race marks had been laid close to the shore so hotel guests and others on the beach could witness these incredible yachts close up. The teams came in close at Meads Bay, Maundays Bay and Rendezvous Bay and were met with cheering crowds as they rounded the marks. With the high winds the race went quickly and, in the end, Cuisinart became the first repeat winner and gets to hold the cup for another year.

True North after reaching finish line and Stars Stripes headed toward stake

Speaking on behalf of the Anguilla Sailing Association, Peter Parles commented: “This year’s ‘Battle of the Banks’ and ‘West End Cup’ races were very exciting! We love this part of the regatta because everyone knows someone on one of the teams and everyone is cheering for one team or another. The fact that we can get these great boats over to Anguilla and get the local community involved in this regatta is something that the ASA is proud of and we want it to continue for years to come.” He continued, “We appreciate the banks continued participation over the seven years they have raced and Cuisinart has become a great friend to the ASA, Anguilla Regatta and, most importantly, the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club. When we’ve asked for anything, Cuisinart is always there for us. We truly appreciate the contributions they have made to this, and all of our efforts and would like to publically say a big thank you! All of the proceeds from this event go to support the Anguilla Youth Sailing club (AYSC) and we need to thank all the sailors in the regatta, as well as our new participants including Frangipani Beach Resort who have also stepped up and offered assistance to the ASA and AYSC by not only sailing for the West End Cup, but also lending their boat, Relentless, as the press boat for the three day event. It is this kind of generosity to the local community that helps to make this event as special as it is.”

One new aspect of the 12 Metre Challenge this year was the ability for anyone to purchase a spot on one of the boats for a friendly Sunday morning race. Tourists, locals and expats all climbed aboard the two yachts on Sunday morning and raced a shorter course. After not having much luck on Saturday, Stars & Stripes finally squeaked by with a win, but only by six seconds. The boats stayed neck and neck throughout the race and a great time was had by all.

Plans are already underway for next year’s regatta and dates will be announced soon. The Seventh Annual Anguilla Regatta was sponsored and organized by the Anguilla Sailing Association and the Anguilla Tourist Board. The Anguilla Sailing Association has created the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club and teaches children and adults how to sail. For more information about the ASA or the AYSC, please visit sailanguilla.com or call 584-SAIL (7245). For more information about the Anguilla Regatta, please visit anguillaregatta.com.

-Press Release

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