ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK

Last weekend a contingent of Antiguan sailors headed flotilla style with four racing yachts and two motherships to the neighbouring island of Guadeloupe to take part in the Triskell Cup Regatta.

The event offered four days of excellent racing along with really fun dock parties each evening and was thoroughly enjoyed by all participants, especially those from Guadeloupe and Martinique.

From the opening party held on Thursday night through to the prize giving on Sunday evening a fun mix of cultural dancers, drummers, club DJ’s and complimentary food and drink ensured that everyone had an excellent time.

For team Antigua however, it was Saturday night that was the icing on the cake.  Sponsored by Antigua Sailing Week, eight cases of rum courtesy of English Harbour Rum, were served up with a variety of mixers and light snacks to attending sailors.  It was a great opportunity to network with the competitive French sailors and invite them personally to not only Antigua Sailing Week, but to the Jolly Harbour Valentine’s Regatta, Antigua and Barbuda Sport Fishing Tournaments and to other events held throughout the year in Antigua and Barbuda.

Every boat was given a gift bag courtesy the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority along with a branded water bottle, samples of Cavalier Rum and brochures about all three of the promoted events. Kathy Lammers, Chairman of the Regatta Organising Committee of Antigua Sailing Week, gave a welcome speech and invited everyone to come to Antigua.

A raffle was held with two major prizes of a four night stay at HBK Villas in Jolly Harbour and a free entry for one boat to Antigua Sailing Week 2013.  Nine bottles of English Harbour Rum were also given as prizes.

During the final prize giving, Antiguan boat Biwi Magic raced by husband and wife team Geoffrey Pidduck and Janie Easton along with their third crew member Patmore Watson picked up its prize for first place overall in its class.  Other boats representing Antigua included Blue Peter from Jolly Harbour with a commendable performance, Sandy Mair’s Cricket which struggled with an unusually high rating and High Tension which suffered a collision on Saturday and was unable to complete the series of races.  Overall Antiguan boats provided a good showing.

Antigua Sailing Week and Antiguan yachting in general look forward to an ongoing close relationship with their yachting friends to the south in both Guadeloupe and Martinique.
 

Check out the photos on  our Facebook page.