ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA

Held at the head of English Harbour on the docks of the Admiral’s Inn

The 2018 ACYR came to a humorous close Tuesday during the highly anticipated Gig Races and Cream Teas. Held at the head of English Harbour on the docks of the Admiral’s Inn, dinghies of all shapes and sizes faced off sailing, rowing, sculling, and capsizing. Races are for children of all ages which is why there’s a contest for the over 60 crowd. Singles and doubles compete, sometimes accompanied by dogs and toddlers. Rules are lightweight- try not to start early; round the upwind mark to port; get back dry and if that’s not possible, swim.

Big winners hailed from the mighty Schooner Columbia

Big winners hailed from the mighty Schooner Columbia. Her two fishing dories were hard to beat but the recently built Shackle left them behind on more than one occasion. Collisions were all the rage, pushing was popular, and cheating was a secret weapon because a table of prize booty drove competitors to pull out all stops. It was hard, thirst- quenching work but luckily ladies in flowing dresses and flowered hats dispensed tea, spirits and delicious Cream Teas.

77’ Ocean Star is sailing to the BVI

Many of the 2018 fleet are setting sail. Compass headings point in all directions. 127’ Atalante heads to the Azores; the Carriacou sloops to St. Barths for the West Indies Regatta; 40’ Free Spirit to Carriacou; 52’ Mah Jong and 65’ The Blue Peter to Charleston; 77’ Ocean Star to the BVI; and 70’ Vendia to Grenada.

Mount Gay Rum, one of our invaluable and generous sponsors

Our invaluable and generous sponsors made the 2018 ACYR an over-the-top event. Mount Gay Rum, Wadadli Beer and Soufrière Water kept us us hydrated and National Parks Antigua, the Antigua Yacht Club Marina and West Indies Oil provided complimentary dockage. Newport Shipyard, The Herreshoff Marine Museum, Lyman-Morse, Boatshed.com(UK),  Chippy Fine Yacht Carpentry,  Woodstock Boatbuilders, the Classic Yacht Owners Association of America, Admiral’s Inn and our media sponsors Classic Boat Magazine and Aquafilms – thank you all for your continued support and help at all levels.

Ladies in flowing dresses and flowered hats dispensed delicious Cream Teas

Today we honour and celebrate the unsung heroes of the Regatta with well-earned toasts and a shipload of thanks. Our volunteers, 50 strong, are Antiguans and expats. They hail from cruising boats, the Antigua Yacht Club and those who just happen to be passionate about the Classics. They make it happen at every level of this world-class Regatta. We thank those who co-ordinate hospitality, dinghy wranglers, handle trophies, set marks, make cream teas, assist on the Committee Boat and run the Single-Handed Race and Gig Races. Our incredible volunteers comprise the behind-the-scenes force that keeps the Regatta moving in the right direction and we thank them from the bottom of our keel. Hip hip hooray and please come back in 2019!