ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta again proves to be the biggest regatta of its kind in the Caribbean with an entry of 56 this year despite missing a few regular contestants due to an early transatlantic exodus to the UK - most notably by the J class yachts - in preparation for this year’s Olympic celebrations.

Hosted by the Antigua Yacht Club, the Regatta is the first of nine classic yacht regattas sponsored worldwide by Panerai as the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge

The judges of the prized Concours d‘Elegance competition again had a really tough job and some agonizing decisions this year with some fabulous entries not least of course, the immaculately restored Eilean, owned by the regatta’s platinum sponsor, Officine Panerai.  The Weather God’s too, added to the challenge again this year – gifting the harbor with early morning intermittent rain showers – much needed by the island but definitely not by the 23 competitors who had worked hard to present their yachts in the very best of condition. Thankfully the rain stopped and the clouds lifted just ahead of the judging giving the proud owners and crew plenty of time to ‘chammy’ the brightwork back to sparkling show-stopping splendour .

 The overall winner Dorade was announced at the trophy presentation party, held on the Antigua Yacht Club lawn and kindly sponsored by the Luneneburg Shipyard Alliance this evening.  This was preceded by the skippers’ briefing held upstairs at the Yacht Club.
 
This afternoon, from a 2.00 pm start, a third of the overall regatta entry took part in the annual 13th. Single Handed Race. This race gives owners and captains the opportunity to really exercise their sailing skills racing a 12 mile course off Falmouth Harbour. Divided into two classes: Large Classics (over 45 feet) and Small Classics (45 feet and under) each yacht is skippered by one sailor, with a second person on board to help only in the event of an emergency. This year’s 19 competitor’s enjoyed “perfect full-sail ” conditions in 15 knot breezes and flat seas.  “It was great out there”. enthused one competitor..” plenty of wind to give us a great race around a perfect length course.” 

The winner of this competition will be announced tomorrow evening – Friday - following the first of the four races in the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta schedule.