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Youth in the limelight at Antigua Sailing Week Axxess Marine Youth 2 Keel Race Day

29 April, 2024

Celebrating youth sailing on Axxess Marine Youth 2 Keel Race Day at Antigua Sailing Week © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

 

Monday, April 29: The breeze was on the up for the second day of Antigua Sailing Week, celebrating youth sailing on Axxess Marine Youth 2 Keel Race Day. The 10-knot easterly breeze piped up during the day, gusting up to 15 knots. Today’s race courses were a windward leeward festival of racing along the impressive south coast of Antigua. The keys to victory were nailing the manoeuvres and staying in clear air, especially in the CSA Racing Classes on the Rendezvous Course.

Congratulations to all of the provisional Class Winners on Axxess Marine Youth 2 Keel Race Day: Wavewalker, Sang Neuf, Clippers Ship Daub 6, GFA Caraïbes – La Morrigane, Pepsi Zéro–Montebello, Credit Mutuel Jivaro, Quintessence III, McFly on El Ocaso, Strada Geothermal Escapado, Caccia alla Volpe, Alpha Centauri of London, Eira, Absolute Properties Blue Peter, Hightide, Braque-KH+P, Lunatic Fringe Island Time, Nevis KH+P, Jabberwock and Fresia.

RESULTS LINK – https://yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=16104

Axxess Marine Youth 2 Keel Race Day is all about celebrating youth, the future of the sport of sailing. Since the Youth 2 Keel (Y2K) programme was launched five years ago 150 young sailors have raced at Antigua Sailing Week. This year a record 48 young sailors are racing, nudging that total close to 200. The Y2K sailors at Antigua Sailing Week are selected from the National Sailing Academy and Antigua Yacht Club and race on 17 different boats. Nearly a third are female and the youngest are just 12 years of age.

This year a record 48 young sailors are racing as part of the Y2K Programme © 268 Media/Travis Harris

 

The Y2K programme gives Antiguan youth sailors more than just a springboard into Antigua Sailing Week; that is just the start of the journey. Many past Y2K sailors have taken up employment in the marine industry, both in Antigua and overseas. Based in Falmouth Harbour Antigua, Axxess Marine is a global provider of connectivity and communication solutions. This is the third year that Axxess Marine has supported the Y2K Programme at Antigua Sailing Week.

“Especially for the employees of Axxess Marine who are Antiguan nationals, it is really good to be connected to a company that is fostering youth development,” commented Axxess Marine Marketing Manager, Reeva Armstrong. “Without Y2K, the marine industry is an area that these youths don’t get exposure to. That is the heart and soul of Axxess Marine’s involvement in supporting Y2K. We have developed a personal relationship with these kids over the last three years and it is amazing to see how they have developed in that time. For Axxess Marine, seeing these kids progress and make their way in sailing is as personal as it gets.”

Seven crew on Tanner Jones’ J/30 Absolute Properties Blue Peter (ANT) are part of the Y2K Programme © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

 

Racing in the Legacy Class at Antigua Sailing Week are some of the legends of the regatta with decades of experience, well, all bar one boat. Tanner Jones’ J/30 Absolute Properties Blue Peter (ANT).

Tanner is on board Blue Peter, but the remaining seven crew are all part of the Y2K Programme. Co-skippers Carrack and Tyden Jones are just 13 and 14 respectively. Also racing on board is believed to be the youngest sailors at Antigua Sailing Week; Isla Brookes and Jhamely Parades are just 12 years old. The teenage crew includes Linc Beswick, Cosmo Brookes, Mia Duce and Imani John Polanco. Blue Peter is leading the Legacy Class after four races from Geoffrey Pidduck’s Dehler 34 Hightide (ANT).

“Most of the crew have sailed together before on Blue Peter, but racing at Antigua Sailing Week is great,” commented Carrack Jones. “The other boats in our class don’t treat us any different just because we are young, so the competition is really tough. Our spinnaker hoists and drops were good today, and there were plenty of them.”

Ashley Rhodes Melges 24 Whiplash (ANT). All of Ashley’s crew are past or present Y2K sailors © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

 

Racing in the pocket-rocket CSA 6 Class is Ashley Rhodes Melges 24 Whiplash (ANT). All of Ashley’s crew are past or present Y2K sailors heralding from the AYC Youth Programme. Sixteen-year-olds on board are Luca Deleau, Emily Gaillard, Patrick Greensmith and Alistair Knoblauch. Tactician Rhone Kirby came up through Y2K and is now an instructor at the Antigua Yacht Club.

“Of course it is important for the Y2K youths to know how to sail, but a positive attitude and taking up the challenge are just as important,” commented Rhone Kirby. “There are not many countries like Antigua that have been running a youth programme for so long, and it is definitely producing great sailors.”

National Sailing Academy’s 1720 NSA Challenger © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

 

A brand new team for Antigua Sailing Week is the National Sailing Academy’s 1720 NSA Challenger. The entire team are sailors from the NSA, skippered by 23 year-old Tajanica Thomas with Y2K Senior T’Quan James. The young teenage crew are all from the National Sailing Academy.

“Challenger is a young teenage crew that race dinghies, but have never sailed keelboats before,” smiled Tajanica Thomas. “It is a different situation for myself as usually I am not in the boat with them. Our performance is improving with every race and our long term goal is to be competitive next year.”

Bareboat 3 – Bill Lehnert’s Lunatic Fringe – Island Time III (USA) crew includes five teenagers © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

 

Racing in Bareboat 2 is Bill Lehnert’s Lunatic Fringe – Island Time III (USA). Bill Lehnert’s team competed in the Antigua & Barbuda Hamptons Challenge Regatta and won an all-expenses paid trip for six to Antigua Sailing Week. The crew is made up of two families including five teenagers.

“We are a multi-generational family team consisting of brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and some great friends for good measure!” says Bill Lehnert. “We’ve been sailing together for 20+ years and the younger crew are in High School and have been friends since they were born. We have four women aboard (three teens), all skilled sailors that have skippered numerous types of boats from dinghies to big boats.”

Winners were celebrated at the Axxess Marine Youth2Keel Prizegiving © Takumi Media

 

After racing the Regatta Bars were bustling for business, cold Heineken was top of the hit list at the Antigua Yacht Club Lawn. A packed house cheered the winners on stage at the Axxess Marine Youth 2 Keel Daily Prize Giving.

The fancy dress theme of Tropical Shirt Nite produced some crazy colours on the dance floor at the AYCM Platform. Cover-band Those Guys Again ripped out some banging tracks. Racing at Antigua Sailing Week continues on Tuesday 30 April with Citizenship By Investment Unit Race Day.

Axxess Marine Youth 2 Keel Race Day is all about celebrating youth, the future of the sport of sailing © 268 Media/Travis Harris

Youth sailors are often given opportunities to race by Sir Hugh Bailey on his Farr 45 Rebel (ANT) © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

Seven crew on Absolute Properties Blue Peter (ANT) are part of the Y2K Programme © 268 Media/Travis Harris

For more information about Antigua Sailing Week including racing, watching the action and the fun-packed shoreside entertainment, visit the official website: www.sailingweek.com

Follow on social media: #antiguasailingweek #ASW55 #racechasecelebrate #asw2024

ENDS/… Louay Habib

Dawn Treader win Peters & May Round Antigua Race

29 April, 2024

Saturday, April 27: The Peters & May Round Antigua Race was blessed with gorgeous conditions. The stand-alone race prior to Antigua Sailing Week was held in a warm gradient wind of 10-14 knots, just south of east, with a smooth sea state.

The overall winner, lifting the Peters & May Round Antigua Race Trophy, was Ed Bell’s JPK 1180 Dawn Treader (GBR). Second was Jim Vos’ RP37 Warthog (ANT) and third overall, winner of the CSA Racing Class and Monohull Line Honours, was Woody Cullen’s Swan 58 Wavewalker (USA). Justin Scott’s Outremer 51 Uhuru (USA) was the winner of the CSA Cruising Multihull Class, winning the Peters & May Multihull Line Honours Trophy.

RESULTS: https://yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=16164

The Peters & May Round Antigua Race is the perfect way for any team to tune up for Antigua Sailing Week. Local boats are also welcome to enter, even if they are not racing at the famous regatta.

Overall winners of the Peters & May Round Antigua Race – Ed Bell’s JPK1180 Dawn Treader (GBR) © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

All of the Dawn Treader team are from the UK, including three members of the Bell Family. Ed, Cate and their son George Bell are racing with friends from home, with Mark Spearman as Boat Captain. George Bell is taking time out before going to university and has raced thousands of miles on Dawn Treader this year, including the RORC Transatlantic Race and the RORC Caribbean 600.

“This is my first time at Antigua Sailing Week and the Peters & May Round Antigua Race was a great event to get the team up-to-speed,” smiled George Bell. “We had great competition on the water with Apollo and we were checking our watches at every mark rounding against Warthog on corrected time. I will be going back to the UK after Antigua Sailing Week and all the Dawn Treader crew want a really enjoyable last Caribbean regatta for a great send off.”

Winners of the Peters & May Round Antigua Race Trophy – Ed Bell’s JPK 1180 Dawn Treader (GBR)

After Antigua Sailing Week, Dawn Treader along with many other racing and cruising boats will be shipped back to the UK by Peters & May. Craig Stanbury, Peters & May Global Director of Operations for Racing has been coming to Antigua for over 20 years and explains why Peters & May have supported the Round Antigua Race since 2016 and will continue to do so.

“Peters & May love supporting Antigua Sailing Week and I personally have a big place in my heart for Antigua,” commented Stanbury. “I love everything about Antigua; the people, the friendliness, and it is a wonderful place to come sailing. The Round Antigua Race is the perfect fit for Peters & May and our sponsorship allows us to give something back to sailing. Peters & May are very proud to be involved and support Antigua Sailing Week to give boat owners the option to ship their boats to and from the Caribbean.”

While the Racing classes were set a full anti-clockwise circumnavigation of Antigua of approximately 50 miles, the Cruising classes and smaller race boats were set a 25-mile course, taking in the headlands on the south side of Antigua, plus a taste of Atlantic racing off the windward side of Antigua.

The winner of the Almost Round Antigua Race was Donald MacDonald’s Salona 38 Bonkers (GBR). Andreas Bock’s KK28 Karin (GER) took Line Honours for the race, but was second after CSA time correction by under three minutes. Third was Bernie Evan-Wong’s Cal 40 Huey Too (ANT). Justin Scott’s Outremer 51 Uhuru (USA) was the winner of the CSA Cruising Multihull Class.

“A beautiful day with classic Antiguan conditions for the Peters & May Round Antigua Race,” commented Jaime Torres, Antigua Sailing Week’s Race Manager. “Getting a gentle start to the event was just perfect as none of the teams were too challenged. We are expecting the wind to pick up during the five days of racing for the 55th edition of Antigua Sailing Week.”

Woody Cullen’s Swan 58 Wavewalker (USA)

Ed Bell’s JPK 1180 Dawn Treader (GBR)

Andreas Bock’s KK28 Karin (GER)

Three Outremer 51’s competed in the CSA Cruising Monohull Class

 

The Peters & May Round Antigua Race Prizegiving at the Antigua Yacht Club also included the awards for the second edition of the Antigua Wingfoil Championships, which comprised of three thrilling days of racing, including new records and great camaraderie among the competitors.

Local wingfoiler Idani Edwards emerged as the undisputed star of the event, claiming victory in every race and setting a new long-distance record of just 29 minutes. Reflecting on his success, Idani exclaimed, “I am absolutely thrilled with this event! We had a blast, with fantastic racing and incredible Antiguan conditions!”

Farr 40 Punch Croisieres – Perseverare Diabolicm (FRA)

Jim Vos’ Reichel Pugh Warthog (ANT)

Adrian Lee’s Swan 60 Lee Overlay Partners (GBR)

Donald Nicholsons’s J121 Apollo (USA)

After racing, Antigua Sailing Week was officially opened with Antigua Sailing Week President Alison Sly-Adams welcoming to the stage Guest of Honour, Hon. ‘Max’ Fernandez. The Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation & Investment gave a rousing speech, welcoming all of the 750 competitors from 22 different countries to Antigua Sailing Week. Live entertainment at the Antigua Yacht Club included wonderful cultural artists and the Original Steel Orchestra, which panned a spirited rendition of the National Anthem of Antigua & Barbuda.

Racing for the 55th edition of Antigua Sailing Week starts tomorrow, Sunday, April 28 with English Harbour Rum Race Day.

Wavewalker – 1st CSA 1 Racing Monohull

Uhuru – 1st Cruising Multihull

Bonkers – 1st CSA Cruising Monohull

Warthog – 2nd CSA 2 Racing Monohull

Huey Too – 3rd CSA Cruising Monohull

For more information about Antigua Sailing Week visit the official website: www.sailingweek.com and follow on social media: #antiguasailingweek #ASW55 #racechasecelebrate #asw2024

ENDS/… Louay Habib

English Harbour Rum Race Day – Sweet ‘n Spicy start to Antigua Sailing Week

28 April, 2024

CSA Racing 1 – Adrian Lee’s Swan 60 Lee Overlay Partners II (GBR) on English Harbour Race Day © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

 

Sunday, April 28: Racing action got underway for the 55th edition of Antigua Sailing Week with English Harbour Rum Race Day. The international fleet got their first taste of racing in tropical heat on the stunning South Coast of Antigua. An easterly breeze of 7-13 knots with a flat sea state provided sweet conditions, but the competition was full of spice.

The ASW Race Committee led by Principal Race Officer Neil Andrew, set a cocktail of courses including tight coastal short races, and longer races, taking the fleet to the deep water marks of Antigua Sailing Week. Start lines were humming with close competition right through the 88 boat fleet. Stop watches were buzzing with several class wins by seconds after CSA time correction.

Congratulations to all of the provisional Class Winners on English Harbour Rum Race Day: Wavewalker, Lee Overlay Partners II, Pepsi Zéro–Montebello, Sang Neuf Clippers Ship Daub 6, Whiplash, McFly on El Ocaso, Dawn Treader, Credit Mutuel Jivaro, Strada Geothermal Escapado, Absolute Properties (Blue Peter), Huey Too, Saida, Imagine of Falmouth, Braque-KH+P, Lunatic Fringe Island Time, Culebra-KH+P, Nevis KH+P, Barbuda KH+P, Jabberwock, Team Budget Marine Oozlumbird, and Donna.

Provisional Results HERE

J133 Credit Mutuel – Jivaro (FRA) – Class winner CSA Racing 3 © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

 

The Windward Course featured the majority of the CSA Racing Classes. In CSA 1, Woody Cullen’s Swan 58 Wavewalker (USA) won the first race by a handsome margin; Volvo Ocean 65 Sisi (AUT), skippered by Oliver Kobale was second. The second race of the day was close to a dead-heat for three boats. Adrian Lee’s Swan 60 Lee Overlay Partners II (GBR) was the winner by just two seconds from Sir Hugh Bailey’s Farr 45 Rebel (ANT). In third by just 20 seconds was Wavewalker. After two races, Lee Overlay Partners II leads the big boat class on countback from Wavewalker.

Racing on board Adrian Lee’s Swan 60 Lee Overlay Partners II was his 19-year-old son Alex Lee. The marketing student from Dublin is taking part in his first Antigua Sailing Week. Alex trims the main under the watchful eye of Volvo Ocean race sailor and Maxi World Champion Jim Carroll.

“I don’t have much ig boat experience. I love foiling dinghies but that was really exciting today,” smiled Alex Lee. “The first race didn’t go well after the start; we went inshore but a big rain squall favoured the boats offshore. In the second race we went inshore again and this time it paid. The finish was ridiculously close; to win it by just two seconds was fantastic. After racing, there is a great vibe at the Antigua Yacht Club, everybody is so friendly.”

Sir Hugh Bailey’s Farr 45 Rebel (ANT) © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

Volvo Ocean 65 Sisi (AUT), skippered by Oliver Kobale © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

 

In CSA 2, the first race of the regatta went to J/122 McFly on El Ocaso (GBR), sailed by Tony & Sally Mack. In second place, just over two minutes behind after CSA time correction was Jim Vos’ RP37 Warthog (ANT). The second race of the day produced a thrilling finish. Ed Bell’s JPK 1180 Dawn Treader (GBR) corrected out to win by just six seconds from McFly on El Ocaso. Dawn Treader scored a fifth in the first race but finished the first day of racing in second position. Warthog is third after two races, but only on countback from Sir Richard Matthews’ ST370 Holding Pattern (GBR) and Donald Nicholson’s J/121 Apollo (USA).

“We knew when the classes were announced we were in a competitive class and that was certainly the case today,” commented Tony Mack, driver on McFly on El Ocaso. “It is pretty clear now that we will have to sail really well to win this class. Any mistake and we will get punished. We had really great conditions today, especially as back home we would be racing in the Spring Series when the water and the air temperature is freezing!”

J122 McFly on El Ocaso (GBR) topped CSA Racing 2 on the first day of racing in Antigua © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

Sir Richard Matthews’ ST370 Holding Pattern (GBR) © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

 

The Rendezvous Course featured three Bareboat Classes, two Club Classes and the Legacy Class. In Bareboat 1, Tim Ford’s Dufour 520 Braque-KH+P (GBR) won the first race of Antigua Sailing Week. Second was Patrick Henrikson’s Dufour 520 Botero (SWE). Anne-Marie Petersohn’s Hopper-KH+P (GER) won the second race with Braque-KH+P second.

Tim Ford’s team racing on Braque-KH+P are all from Dorset in the UK and go by the name ‘Poole Pirates’. “We had a really good start in the first race but we were a bit early for the second start and that meant we lost our speed as we approached the line,” commented Tim Ford. “Our boat speed was really good and we managed to make up for the bad start and finish the race in second place, all credit to the crew. As Poole Pirates we are already in fancy dress for tonight’s celebrations!”

Tim Ford’s Dufour 520 Braque-KH+P (GBR) Wins CSA Bareboat 1 © Takumi Media

Three Bareboat Classes enjoyed competition on the Rendezvous Course © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

 

After racing, the Regatta Bars were busy on the Antigua Yacht Club Lawn, followed by a packed house for the English Harbour Rum Daily Prize Giving.

Antigua Distillery is the purveyor of the award-winning English Harbour 5 Year Old Rum and every race winner at Antigua Sailing Week wins a bottle of English Harbour 5 Year Old Rum. Lisa Farara, Executive Director of Antigua Distillery is a direct descendant of the company’s founders; her Grandfather Quin Farara started producing rum in Antigua in 1932.

“No visit to Antigua would be complete without sampling some local rum,” smiled Lisa Farara at the English Harbour Rum Daily Prize Giving. “We chose the name English Harbour because it is the location where Antigua welcomes people from overseas. The rum’s character is laid back and friendly, ‘a welcome to my home’. English Harbour Rum’s long association with Antigua Sailing Week lets us reach out to visitors and we have both grown together over the last three decades. Above all, English Harbour Rum is a part of Antigua that all the sailors can take home with them, especially if they win races!”

After the English Harbour Rum Daily Prize Giving the party continued at the AYCM Platform with a fancy dress Pirate Nite! Party-band HyperActive played a live set to get the dance floor pumping. Racing at Antigua Sailing Week continues on Monday 29 April with Axxess Marine Youth 2 Keel Boat Race Day.

Crews enjoyed the English Harbour Rum Prizegiving after racing © 268 Media/Travis Harris

Breakfast with a view of racing on English Harbour Rum Race Day at Shirley Heights Lookout © 268 Media/Travis Harris

For more information about Antigua Sailing Week including racing, watching the action and the fun-packed shoreside entertainment, visit the official website: www.sailingweek.com

Follow on social media: #antiguasailingweek #ASW55 #racechasecelebrate #asw2024

ENDS/… Louay Habib

2024 Antigua Wingfoil Championship Final Day Race Day 3

27 April, 2024

Photo by Nigel Francis ©Takumi Media @takumimedia

Three days filled with wind, new records, and camaraderie mark the triumphant conclusion of the second edition of the Antigua Wingfoil Championship 2024 at Antigua Sailing Week.

Local Wingfoiler Idani Edwards emerged as the undisputed star of the event, claiming victory in every race and setting a new long-distance record of just 29 minutes. Reflecting on his success, Idani exclaimed, “I am absolutely thrilled with this event! We had a blast, with fantastic racing and incredible Antiguan conditions!”

Amidst the fun and sportsmanship, competitive spirit also thrived. Frano Tregaskis and Mark Mains showcased impeccable timing at the starting line, while others played it safe to avoid disqualification for jumping the gun.

Over the course of three action-packed racing days, a total of 18 course races and one long-distance race tested the skills of the competitors. Despite fierce competition, the leaderboard remained tightly contested. Sammy Martin secured an impressive overall second place with consistent performance, while Eli Fuller managed to clinch third place, utilizing three discards to discard unfavorable scores. Brimming with his unstoppable energy, Sammy exclaimed, “This is incredible! What a day!”

Arianna Casagrande, the sole female participant in the event, expressed her delight, saying, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this event. It adds a whole new dynamic to Antigua Sailing Week’’. The event showcases the fantastic foiling locations Antigua has to offer, with Cades Reef delivering steady winds and perfect conditions.

As the day drew to a close, the Peters & May Round Antigua Race passed by Cades Reef, with black racing sails dotting the horizon alongside the colorful wingfoilers. Hand in hand, we wrap up the event, eagerly awaiting what the future holds for foiling in the Caribbean.

Thrilling Start to Antigua Wingfoil Championship

26 April, 2024

Thrilling Start to Antigua Wingfoil Championship
Part of Antigua Sailing Week  at Cades Reef

Against the lush green mountains of Antigua, colourful Wingfoil sails adorned the horizon, marking the commencement of Antigua Wingfoil Championship Race Day 1 during Antigua Sailing Week.

Young, old(er), professional or adventureseeker
From seasoned professionals to adventurous souls, Wingfoiling embraces participants of all ages and backgrounds. With categories for professionals and leisure enthusiasts, competitors are evaluated by the Race Committee based on their expertise.

Sacha van der Wouden, organiser of Caribbean Foiling Championships, explains, ” The Leisure Class provides a stepping stone for newcomers to racing or those prioritizing the experience over competition. We’ve established two classes to ensure inclusivity and foster a vibrant Caribbean Foiling community. Whether seeking competitive racing or camaraderie, our aim is to make foiling accessible and enjoyable for all.”

Familiar Faces and Gender Diversity
Among the competitors, familiar faces like 15 year old Mark Mains from New Zealand have transitioned from the Leisure Class in 2023 to the Professional Class this year, showcasing remarkable progress. Meanwhile, Antiguan Wingfoiler Sammy Martin, known for his participation at the 2021 Caribbean Foiling Championships in St. Martin, returns with renewed determination.

Breaking gender barriers is Antiguan Wingfoiler Arianna Casagrande, making history as the first female competitor in the Antigua Wingfoil Championship.

Race Day 1 Highlights
Today witnessed a total of 6 thrilling races at the breezy Cades Reef. Following the fourth race, competitors took a well-deserved lunch break, with spirits soaring high. Current leader, 17 year old Idani Edwards exclaimed, “That was epic!” while others, like Seumas Meharg expressed exhaustion from the intensity of the races, stating, “I am wiped out!”

Tomorrow, Race Day 2
Due to light wind conditions anticipated on Saturday, the downwinder will be held on Friday, April 26 instead. Maxim van den Pol, event organizer, explains, “To ensure the best and safest racing experience for all, we’ve decided to reschedule the downwinder to tomorrow. Adequate wind is crucial for this race, considering the risks involved.” The downwinder spans an 8 Nautical Miles stretch from Pigeon Point to Turners Beach, with last year’s record set by Anthony Smith (Martinique) at 35 minutes and 49 seconds. Will this year see a new record?

As the event progresses into its second day, anticipation mounts for another day of thrilling competition and camaraderie.

Results can be found here:   https://caribbeanfoiling.com/antigua/awc-results/

More details about the event here: https://caribbeanfoiling.com/antigua/awc-about

For more information about Antigua Sailing Week, go to: https://sailingweek.com/

Another Perfect Sailing Day

21 April, 2024

With perfect trade wind conditions today, each start was flawless and the yachts all aimed for the first mark six miles SSE in a comfortable close reach for the last day of fleet racing at the 35th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Cassiopeia II selflessly saved the day by hauling in a long fishing net floating on the surface close to the first mark so that it did not affect other competitors. Their actions were indicative of what the regatta is all about, safety and goodwill coming before competition. The Cannon Race is always spectacular as the boats reach out and back allowing the crews the opportunity to watch each other as they pass.

The Blue Peter wins second in the Vintage & Classic class

Alex Veccia, captain of 85-foot classic yawl Nordwind built in 1939, commented “Today has been the best day, lovely weather and we were lucky with the flat sea as well, the Cannon course is my favourite course.” Pat Ilderton, owner of Mah Jong, 52-foot Bermudian yawl and sailing on West Indies sloop Genesis this week, said of today’s race “The wind pick up slowly all day long, that nice long last leg was the deal, it was the best day yet.”

Genesis took first on the last day of racing to win the Traditional class

The results were close with several classes decided on the final day of racing. The legendary racing yawl Bolero came from behind with back to back wins on the last two days to take first in the Vintage & Classic class with The Blue Peter second and Seefalke II third. The Traditional class was also decided on the final day with the Carriacou sloop Genesis sealing the class win with a first place in race four, Alani was second and New Moon third. In the Schooner class, the Malabar V schooner, Charm III scored four straight wins to claim first place with Eros second and Adventurer third. Ocean Star won first place in the Tall Ships class with the sister ships Chronos and Rhea second and third. The standings were also tight in the Spirit of Tradition class. The Nicholson 55 Eager came from behind to win the class by one point with firsts in the last two races, Freya was second and Chloe Giselle third. In the Modern A class the Soverel 43 Legacy held a one point lead coming into the final day of racing and sealed a class win with a first place in the last race, Saida finished second and Yemaya third. The Modern B class was won convincingly by the Dragon Jabberwock, second place came Encore and third was Cricket. The full results can be seen here

In the Tall Ships class, sister ships Chronos and Rhea came second and third

52-foot gaff schooner Adventurer will be 100 years old next year

After racing, everyone dropped sail at the entrance of the Dockyard and paraded through the harbour in their finery, flags hoisted, crews dressed up, hats waving, horns blaring and even a jazz saxophone playing on Eros. The crew of Huey Too danced and sang their way to the dock and the crew of Alani wowed the crowd in tiger-striped outfits. And if all that activity wasn’t enough, Alvei, the 3-masted square-rigger, hosted a schooner olympics where events included line throwing, bowline tying and line climbing. The steel drum band then started, the grills fired up for the evening bbq and English Harbour rum punches and Red Stripe beer were gratefully received by the crowd. In the first Rain Gutter Regatta, where each yacht has thirty minutes to build a small boat then race them by blowing them down a rain gutter, the crowd cheered on their favourites with the Galatea crew beating Charm III in the finals and Huey Too winning the most innovative design award.

Everyone is both exhausted and relieved that racing has finished, but looking forward to tomorrow afternoon’s shore side events with a cream tea and gig racing at the Admirals Inn and evening prize giving ceremony at the museum. For those who haven’t sailed enough yet, there is a single-handed race in the morning.

Everyone enjoyed the Open Mic night yesterday evening – photo Beverly Factor

 

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