Anguilla Island 2008 Yacht Regatta Ready To Set Sail By Dave Elliott At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Anguilla, the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, has long been closely associated with the venerable sport of competitive sailing. To be sure, the history of Anguillian sailing is virtually indistinguishable from the history of the island itself. Many would agree that aquatic activities like boat racing comprise the island’s national sport, and is in the blood of all Anguillians.

Hosted by the Anguilla Sailing Association and the Anguilla Tourist Board, the island is getting ready for its Sixth Annual Regatta, which will be held on May 9-11, 2008. The event supports the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club, a non-profit club that instructs local youngsters how to sail after school and during breaks.

The 2008 Regatta is anticipated to be the biggest and best attended to date. The majority of activities will take place in the sheltered harbor of Road Bay, including the numerous parties at bars and restaurants on the beach. Many of the races will be run close to shore so observers can easily enjoy the sight of ardently competing racing vessels under full sail.

The 2007 Regatta showcased 28 boats competing in eleven races over the event weekend. Five classes of vessels competed each day -- two spinnaker classes, non-spinnaker, open and multi-hull. In addition to competitions involving yachts and local boats, the Regatta also included three 12-meter challenges where local companies chartered designated vessels and raced against each other for bragging rights and prizes.

There will be enjoyable free entertainment each evening of the event on the beach and in several of the Sandy Ground restaurants. Various local vendors will provide partiers with all kinds of barbecued delicacies and local dishes, and some hotels will offer discount rates for the occasion.

Anguilla is an internally self-governing overseas territory of England. The capital is The Valley. The territory has a total residency of approximately 13,500, according to a 2006 estimate. The name of the island comes from the word for 'eel' in any of various Romance languages (ex: Spanish, French and Italian), probably because of its eel-like shape.

The island was ruled by England, and later the United Kingdom, until the early 18th century when, against the desires of the local residents, it was annexed into a single British dependency along with another Caribbean island group, Saint Kitts and Nevis. After two insurrections in 1967 and 1969 and a brief period as a self-declared independent republic headed by Ronald Webster, English rule was fully restored in 1969. Anguilla then became a separate British dependency in 1980.

Anguilla has a tropical though rather dry climate, moderated by northeast trade winds. Temperatures vary little throughout the year. Average daily temperatures range from about 80 degrees Fahrenheit in December to 86 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Rainfall is sporadic, averaging about 36 inches on an annual basis, the wettest months being September and October, and the driest February and March. Anguilla is susceptible to hurricanes from June to November, peak season August to mid-October.

The island's thin arid soil is largely unusable for agriculture, and it has few land-based natural resources. Its primary industries are tourism, offshore incorporation and banking, business management, and fishing. A number of insurance and financial businesses are headquartered in Anguilla.

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