Former Deputy Premier, Hon. Dancia Penn presented Anguilla with the Cup last year.

Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

Former Deputy Premier, Hon. Dancia Penn presented Anguilla with the Cup last year.

Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

Defending Premier's Cup champion, Anguilla is among 10 teams confirmed for the 14th Annual Premier's Cup International Youth Regatta scheduled for July 13 to 15 at Nanny Cay Marina.

Seeking to dethrone Anguilla are Bahamas, Cayman, Nevis, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, Tortola, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States.

Kids And The Sea (KATS) BVI along with the Rotary, Rotaract and Interact Clubs of the BVI; and Platinum Sponsors Digicel, NAGICO and Nanny Cay Resort & Marina are hosting this year's Premier's Cup International Youth Regatta. The event is the only youth team sailing event in the Caribbean. It brings together young people between the ages of 10 and 18 for a weekend of fellowship and competition.

Anguilla made a concerted effort to make tactical adjustments following the 2010 Cup and attention to detail paid dividends as Anguilla lifted the championship last year.

Last year saw a total of eight teams competing over two days of competitive racing just off Nanny Cay. Anguilla topped with 44 points and barely edged 2010 champions St. Croix, who finished second with 46 points. St. Lucia was third with 64 points, while the BVI was fourth with 68 points. Puerto Rico was fifth with 71 points, Antigua 101 points, Grenada 115 points and USA 137 points.

Anguilla's Captain, Kendal Richardson had told BVI Platinum News that this year the team plans to arrive early to have practice time on the local boat they will use for the races. The team felt that in 2010, unfamiliarity with the race boat cost them the cup and as such, the team arrived early last year and got an extra day of practice and the result was evident based on their victory.

Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News

According to event organizer, Chris Ghiorse, the teams arrive Friday, July 13 and will be welcomed that evening by Premier, Dr. D. Orlando Smith at the welcome reception at Peg Leg Restaurant at Nanny Cay Resort & Marina.

Racing will take place on Saturday, July 14 from 9:00am to 3:00pm and on the morning of Sunday, July 15 from 9:00am to 1:00pm in Drakes Passage off of Nanny Cay. Multiple races will be run everyday.

The Awards Ceremony will take place at 2:30pm on Sunday, July 15.

The public is welcome to come and watch the event on Saturday and Sunday to meet the competitors and watch the action. There will be a VIP boat both days to take spectators out on the course to see the sailing up close. There will be shore side events for the competitors starting at 3:00pm on Saturday, July 14th, including a frozen t-shirt competition, tug of war and more.

For more information, please contact Ghiorse at email ghiorse@surfbvi.com or by phone at 284-346-5287.