This year, like in 2020, Anguilla cancelled its Annual Summer Festival, including boat races, as a result of COVID -19.
But this year, 2021, with the virus now under better control, the island’s national sport was among a number of selected cultural events which were allowed to take place.
The boat races were held at various coastal locations on the island, as usual, during the August holiday week – on Monday at Road Bay, August 2; Tuesday, August 3, from Road Bay to Island Harbour Bay; Thursday, August 5, at Meads Bay; and Sunday, August 8, when the Champion of Champions Race took place at Road Bay.
All the regular boat races were won by Sonic, a popular racing boat from Sandy Ground. The A-class boat went on to win the Championship Race on Sunday, August 8, thus winning the coveted titles of Champion of Champions and Boat of the Year.
The other A-class results on Sunday, August 8, were: Bush Boyz second; Speed and Comfort, third; and De Wizard 4th.
In the B-Class Championship Race – De Storm placed 1st; Dark Shadows, 2nd; Alma Gloria, 3rd; and F5 Tornado, 4th.
During the final part of the race at Road Bay, Satellite, unfortunately, got tangled up with Speed & Comfort and immediately sank. The rescue boat quickly turned up and rescued the crew while divers began pulling up the submerged boat.
Real Deal, usually one of the top winners from North Hill, also experienced some difficulties caused by broken parts of its mast during the August Monday and August Thursday races.
Meanwhile, in the August Thursday race at Meads Bay, the crowd of boat-racing enthusiasts there saw Sonic snatched 1st place followed in 2nd place by De Wizard; Satellite 3rd; Bush Boyz, 4th; and Light & Peace, 5th.
In the Class B race – De Storm finished in first place; Hurricane, 2nd; Dark Shadows, 3rd; and F5 Tornado, 4th.
Commenting on the Meads Bay race, Mr. Cardigan Connor, one of the main organisers, said: “Much appreciation goes to those sponsors who helped to make the event possible and a success. They are the Anguilla Tourist Board, Parts Haven; Tropical Distributors; Ocean Echo; Malliouhana-Auberge Resort; and Carimar Beach Club. The West End Community Improvement Club/West Fest would also like to express thanks to the Royal Anguilla Police Force, the Connors’ Family and Al Richardson.”
Mr. Connor added that the entertainment was provided by DJ Swat; DJ Q; and DJ Tights; and the sound system by Webbe’s Production.
