In a hotly contested KATS Premier’s Cup (9/10 July 2011) held at Nanny Cay, Team Anguilla won their first Premier’s Cup, narrowly edging St Croix by 2 points. The victory was a result of three years of hard work and training from Team Anguilla, who had stated their intention of winning this year’s regatta after narrowly missing out last year.
18 races over two days in IC-24 keelboats made for some very competitive racing from the 8 youth teams who travelled from all over the Caribbean and USA to the BVI to compete. Racing conditions were perfect, with good breeze and relatively minor swell allowing the teams to focus on maximum sailing performance.
Each boat was raced by teams of 18 years and under, and despite the competitive nature of the event all boats were raced in a sportsmanlike and friendly manner. Nonetheless there were a few minor collisions on the start line, underlining how much every team wanted to win!
At the end of the Saturday morning session, Team Anguilla had opened a substantial lead, thanks to 5 first places. At lunchtime every team rotated boats, so as to ensure no advantage could be gleaned from any possible difference in individual boat performance. In the afternoon session St Croix gradually closed the gap on Team Anguilla, and by close of sailing on the Saturday St Croix were leading by just 2 points. Third spot was also being hotly contested, with any of Puerto Rico, St Lucia and Team BVI in a position to take podium honours.
On Sunday morning the racing become much tighter – every team had improved and performed superbly. Going into the very last race, first place was still very close – whoever crossed the line first between St Croix and Team Anguilla would win. At the finish line Team Anguilla edged St Croix by half a boat length – a fittingly close end to such a well fought regatta! Team St Lucia took third spot, after an excellent performance in the Sunday morning session.
The overall event was organised by KATS, and the Royal BVI Yacht Club managed the on-water activities. There were also several fun off-water activities, including a frozen t-shirt contest and tug-of-war! The award for most-sportsmanlike performance was awarded to Team USA – they had only raced a few times together, so often found themselves towards the back of the fleet. Despite this they never gave up and never stopped smiling!
Everyone is already looking forward to next year’s KATS Premier’s Cup, after so much excitement and fun this year. Congratulations Team Anguilla!
2011 KATS Premier’s Cup Results
1st Anguilla 44 points
2nd St Croix 46 points
3rd St Lucia 64 points
4th BVI 68 points
5th Puerto Rico 71 points
6th Antigua 101 points
7th Grenada 115 points
8th Team USA 137 points
