ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA

157’ staysail ketch Chronos racing her sister-ship 158’ Rhea.

Saturday’s action began with gear failure as 86’ Ticonderoga left the dock and a brief exit horn blast turned into an extended play. Being that this is the gentleman’s race, 141’ Columbia joined the band, then 77’ Ocean Star until finally it ran out of air. Captain Guillaume Touhadian said, “I like a horn, but not like that!”

On the water, it was obvious that yesterday’s weather was a repeat so skippers employed cautionary reefing and prudent head-sail choice. Winds were a steady 20 knots but seas had a kinder edge. Today’s Butterfly course provided an exhausting workout and if anyone finished without a Dark and Stormy thirst, they weren’t racing.

79’ Mariella evened the score in Vintage Class A

79’ Mariella evened the score in Vintage Class A by finishing 7:21 minutes on corrected time ahead of 64’ Mary Rose. 42’ Genesis was on the course after an all-night repair to her gaff and placed first ahead of 36’ Sweetheart by 3:01 minutes in Traditional Class.  Three boats remain in first place: 65’ The Blue Peter in Vintage Class B; 52’ Mah Jong in Classics Class B; and 50’ Petrana in Classics GRP class. Full race results can be seen at www.antiguaclassics.com

For years, the 157’ Klaus Roder staysail ketch Chronos has graced the ACYR and joining her this year is big sister-ship 158’ Rhea. They are part of the fleet of Sailing-Classics bringing energetic participants to ACYR. This year, their owner, Andres Steidle-Sailer, said, “We’ve all had so much fun each time we come, we’re interested in giving back to the event. We intend to become a bronze sponsor for next year.”

Last night’s Sea Shanty contest blew expectations out of the water

Last night’s Sea Shanty contest blew expectations out of the water. All four performances were over the top making it difficult to chose just one. Since the prize, a jumbo bottle of Mount Gay Rum, was in good supply, everyone was declared a winner. The most outrageous performers were our own ACYR volunteers, comedically disguised as Pirates of the Caribbean.

There’s always the thrill of victory and agony of defeat at the ACYR. This year, 56’ Bill Tripp Apollonia set off for Antigua after a beating from Hurricane Irma and a marathon rebuild. When conditions turned them back, they hopped on a plane in time for the first party. Captain Thorpe Leeson said, “We couldn’t miss it!”

Misfortune also befell 127’ Atalante during a practice sail when hydraulic boom failure sidelined the 127’ Hoek sloop. Captain James Prince and crew watched the fleet set off for race 1.  “We were just devastated,” he said. 115’ Aschanti IV came to the rescue, taking one crew out to race and the rest of the guests soldiered on to a string of shoreside events. “This is such a wonderful Regatta,” Prince added. “Everyone is so kind.”

50’ Petrana remains in first place in Classics GRP class

Our generous sponsors Mount Gay and Wadadli Beer are keeping sailors hydrated this afternoon during Happy Hour. Open Mic Music Night, at the Antigua Yacht Club stage, will surely lure new talent and at Boom Restaurant is the Owners’ Cocktail Party, co-sponsored by the Admiral’s Inn Classic Yacht Owners Association, represented by Executive Director Bill Lynn, who also heads the Herreshoff Marine Museum, sponsor of the Concours d’Elégance. After that, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen tonight.