ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA

The crew of the beautifully maintained Aage Nielsen Ketch, Saphaedra  had plenty to celebrate last evening at the Boat International sponsored Concours d'Elegance competition prize-giving when they scooped both the the Professionally Maintained Private Classic Class trophy as well as the Overall Winners prize in this much esteemed competition.

As the sun went down last evening the presentation took place on the lawn below the yacht club whilst a selection of different wines flowed  compliments of the Catamaran and Falmouth Harbour Marina’s and Bailey’s Supermarket. The workboats built in Carriacou dominated the first, the Traditional Class with the newly built and aptly named Beauty of Petite Martinique deservedly taking first prize. 

Taru, Veritas and Guiding Light took firsts in their respective Privately Maintained Classes, whilst Gaia and Astor joined Saphaedra in catching the judges eye in the Professionally Maintained division. 

Roy Boughton, the single handed owner of the gauntlet sloop Guiding Light was justifiably proud when also awarded the Arne Frisell prize for Grace and Seaworthiness and the Old Bob and Galatea dock party later last evening staged the perfect party for the celebrations to continue well into the night.

The weather conditions today, the first race day of the Antigua Classic regatta sponsored by Panarai Classic Yachts Challenge, again proved to be challenging to all contestants – big and small! With predominantly light winds coming from a northerly direction the seas were at least kind and calm and following a fifteen minute delay the first class enjoyed a sunny downwind start in light airs. Rain cells soon developed on the second leg as the breeze picked up making for an enjoyable close reach to Old Road Bluff. As the ominous signs of strong winds and rain threatened, contestants and crew witnessed some brilliant and ‘gentlemanly’ helming from some of the ‘ big guys’ particularly when the mighty Windrose was forced to take evasive action to avoid a Carriacou schooner rounding the third mark. All safely underway again – and with the two J’s, Valsheda and Ranger forging ahead on the fourth leg into the darkening skies and white capped grey seas the winds picked up to a respectable 20 knots with occasional gusts to 30 giving everyone a fabulous off the wind ‘romping’ reach to the outer mark and back across the line to home!

 Mount Gay 'Dark and Stormies’ are certainly the apt signature drink for this evening’s Carib Bean Coffee single handed prize-giving Sundowner event ,as the heaven’s open on the slightly damp but high spirited and cheerful crowd on the lawn below the Antigua Yacht Club ready to toast the winners of yesterday's Single Handed Race!