ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA

Spectacular conditions prevailed for the last day of racing at Antigua Classic Regatta, clear blues skies, blazing sunshine and 17 knots of solid Trades provided perfect Caribbean conditions for The Windward Race.
 

In Classic Class A the 98ft Schooner, Seijm designed by Franco Anselmi Boretti completed a perfect score line of four wins, taking today’s race by over 25 minutes on corrected time. In Classic Class B, Robert Soros’ 65’ Schooner, Juno also picked up their fourth bullet.
 

However, there was great anticipation before the final race in Classic Class C with two ketches vying for the class win and the overall fleet lead. In a ‘winner takes all’ final race, John Cummings, Van de Staadt designed, Stormvogel was up against Ira Epstein’s Robert Clark designed Lone Fox.
 

In Traditional Class A Genesis also perfected four straight wins as did Sumurun and Dione respectively in Vintage Class A and Vintage Class C.
 

Our spy on the rail today Louay Habib was aboard 74’ ketch, Stormvogel.
 

“Stormvogel got away well at the pin end of the line. However Lone Fox was late to the start and got caught up in traffic at the Committee Boat end. Stormvogel needed to beat Lone Fox by a considerable distance to secure the win after time correction. Slick crew work and cunning tactics with good communication from the afterguard, including the British duo of Ross Appleby and Chris Jackson, ensured that Stormvogel extended on the competition around the course. Stormvogel took the gun and the win on corrected time by just under 3 minutes.
 

Ian Hulleman, the Kiwi boat builder who captains Stormvogel and supervises maintenance and rebuilding of the yacht was full of praise for the crew after the race. “I am not really one for speeches but the crew have been absolutely fantastic throughout the regatta; great crew work with no egos, it has been an absolute pleasure to sail with them and they all deserve a big round of applause for their efforts”.

The Antigua Yacht Club Marina docks are emptying this evening as participating yachts move to Nelson’s Dockyard to take advantage of the complimentary dockage generously offered by the Antigua National Parks. Upstairs at the Antigua Yacht Club a relaxed atmosphere prevailed as all the four day results were discussed and formulated. A fabulous special edition Panerai timepiece awaits presentation to the overall winner to be announced at tomorrow evening’s prize-giving on the lawns of the Copper and Lumber Store Hotel in historic Nelson’s Dockyard.