The Cap Juluca Cup B Class Boat Race at Maundays Bay has not only delighted guests relaxing on the shoreline of one of Anguilla’s best beaches, but has enticed a number of them to experience such an adrenaline-charged boat ride.
That was the case again, for the fifth year, on Monday, December 27, when three popular racing boats from Island Harbour participated in the competitive race. The competing B-class boats were Tornado F5, De Storm and Dark Shadow.
Six tourists from New York, guests at Cap Juluca, boarded the boats with crew members. They had chosen which of the boats to travel on having keenly listened to bets about the likely winner. Buffeted by brisk winds, the boats headed down to the Barnes Bay area where guests, from other properties along the sea coast, had an opportunity to see them sweep by.
At the end of the two-hour race, and the return of the boats outside Cap Juluca, the results were: De Storm in first place; Tornado 5 in second place; and Dark Shadow in third place. The Cap Juluca tourists enjoyed the experience, while the boat captains and crew members received US$2,000 from the resort to share among themselves.
The race was organised with the assistance of Mr. Cardigan Connor, a former Massage Therapist at Cap Juluca and a keen promoter of annual awards for boat racers particularly in the western area of Anguilla. Mr. Connor, now Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Sports and Culture, sees not only the Cap Juluca Cup Boat Race, but boat racing in general, as a delight and attraction for tourists visiting Anguilla.
He underscored the views expressed by Mr. Kevin Carty, Operations Manager at Cap Juluca. Mr. Carty says that as boat racing is Anguilla’s national sport and cultural past time, tourists should be given an opportunity to experience it by actually travelling on the boats.
Mr. Carty is also of the view, endorsed by Mr. Connor, that invitations should be extended – in future Cap Juluca Cup boat races – to guests from other hotels who have expressed interest in travelling on the sleek racing boats. It is therefore likely that guests at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, Viceroy Anguilla, Malliouhana and Anacoana Boutique Hotel will all have opportunities to sail on the boats on separate occasions in due course.
Meanwhile, Mr Connor stated that, going forward, boat racing will fall under the Ministry and Department of Culture in association with the Anguilla Boat-racing Committee. This is in order to further enhance the national sport.
