ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA

The 23rd annual Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta was launched Wednesday evening with a huge celebration bar-b-q followed on Thursday morning with judging for the Concours d’Elegance and the popular single-handed race Thursday afternoon.

 The opening party, hosted by Mount Gay Rum, was attended by more than 200 racing competitors who dined, drank and danced on the waterside lawn of the Antigua Yacht Club, organizer of the Regatta.  An elaborate spread of food was provided by Cloggys restaurant at the AYC, one of the most popular eateries in the English Harbour area, and toe-tapping music was supplied by the fan-favorite band Itchy Feet.

 The Concours d’Elegance on Thursday morning was held to determine the “Best Professionally Maintained Yacht” and the “Best Privately Maintained Yacht,” a very difficult assignment for the judges forced to choose from among he vast array of magnificent classic yachts.  The boats range in size from 24 feet to 145 feet, and filled the docks at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina with spillover dockage at the Falmouth Harbour Marina next door. 
The Concours was sponsored by the Boat International Media Group, well-known for its magazines and books published in five languages.

The single-handed race Thursday afternoon featured a fleet of beautiful classic yachts in a 12-mile course right outside the entrance to Falmouth Harbour.  The race is sponsored by Carib Bean Coffee Roasters, who present a specially-engraved trophy to the winners in two divisions: Large Classics (over 45 feet) and Small Classics (45 feet and under).  Yachts as large as 145 feet compete in the single-handed race.

The first of four days of competitive regatta racing launches this morning (Friday) at 10 AM.  The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta is the first of nine Classic Yachts Challenges sponsored worldwide by Panerai.