ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA

Last evening the Carib Bean Coffee Single Handed Race prizes were awarded after a short delay due to a 'Dark (and only 'slightly') Stormy' rain shower! Meanwhile the Sundowner party got well underway with much swigging of the above, regardless of the weather! Galatea and Nada were the two respective class winners and in the Dinghy Classics Class special acclaim went to the two Antiguan built Herreshoff 17's, each masterfully helmed by physically handicapped contestants. Today the second of the four races in the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta took place under varying sea, wind and rainy conditions that threw multiple challenges at the crews as they rounded the five marks of the 20-mile  Butterfly  course.

Lashing rain and gusty winds pounded Antigua for several hours before the fleet of classic yachts prepared to exit the Antigua Yacht Club docks, however the weather thankfully cleared sufficiently for the boats to head for the starting line with a freshening easterly veering northerly forecast. The lively conditions created by squall activity and consequential varying visability created some interesting close - and not so close - incidents at the second mark! 

All photographers lucky enough to be out there on a competing yacht experienced some fantastic photo opportunities as the J's and the large class yachts rode up through the fleet to round the fourth mark where, as yesterday the crew of the smaller boats witnessed some mightily impressive manouvering particularly by Rebecca who kept well clear of the smaller members of the fleet and gave, those crew a memorable and impressive spectacle! With a noticable windshift to the north on the last leg home all enjoyed a healthy beat back to the committee boat all one tack, to complete another day of great sailing! Each day the Panerai Classics Yacht Lounge welcomes all owners, skippers and crew for a pre-race continental breakfast followed by a light lunch complimentary to families and crew not out racing while awaiting the return of the racers. 

The Lounge also features big-screen video footage of the day s race highlights, as well as a display of beautiful Panerai precision timepieces, which includes the first overall prize the Radiomir Regatta one-eighth of a second watch.
 
This evening final preparations are underway for a Musical Night at the AYC when crew are invited to bring along their musical talent and 'Jam with the Band'...the fabulous 'Time Machine' promising another fabulous party at this the 23rd. Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.