Triple Crown Victory For Ricky T

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – St. Lucia’s leading soca artiste, Ricky T, captured three major titles and scored another roaring success as the curtains came down on the 2013 St. Lucia carnival.

In addition to winning both the Soca and Power Monarch titles, he was also declared winner of the coveted road march title for his “Heart Attack” which was judged the most played song on the road Carnival last week Monday and Tuesday.

That rendition earned him the power soca crown, while he topped the groovy contest with his rendition of “Forty days and Forty nights”. Second place in the groovy finals went to newcomer Arthur, who performed Jumping Alone and third to Sir Lance-a-lot’s All-inclusive.

For the Party Monarch contest, second place went to DJ HP and third to Sir Lance-a-lot.

Some 12 costumed bands paraded the streets of Castries under clear skies on both days, but with a significant decline in reveler participation.

President of the Carnival Bands Association, Sonia Sifflet, said the decline in participation was a direct result of the introduction of VAT which resulted in an increase in the cost of costumes.

“This year we saw a significant fall off in the number of persons joining bands, and the general complaint was the increased cost of costumes with 15 percent increase. In these challenging times that made a big difference to a lot of people,” she said.

However she said the quality of costumes was not compromised as the bands presented their themes colourfully and with great splendour.

When results were announced, Wednesday Rituals Carnival Band repeated last year’s performance in obtaining the Band of the Year Title with its portrayal of Life in Brazil. The second place was captured by Just for Fun, the third by St. Lucia Spirits and fourth by Red International.

In the calypso monarch finals held Sunday, two time calypso monarch Minelle captured her third title with her two powerful renditions of Kenny is King, a critical political commentary on Kenny Anthony administration and So So Love, a tribute to the calypso art-form.

Second place went to Parliamentarian and five-time calypso King, the Mighty Pep, who performed Monopoly and Cockmar. Third place went to schoolteacher Walleigh who performed Untitled and Gestation.