ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK

Photo by Tim Wright, www.photoaction.com.

Antigua Sailing Week wishes to extend a special thanks to all of its sponsors, partners and supporting businesses for their invaluable contributions to Antigua Sailing Week 2012.

Gold sponsors include:

YACHTING WORLD – A sponsor since 2005, Yachting World is now a Gold Sponsor and the Official Yachting Media Partner of Antigua Sailing Week.  Yachting World, established in 1894, is the oldest yachting magazine in the world.  Read in over 100 countries, it has become synonymous with quality, authority and excellence.  From blue water cruiser to super-yacht, Yachting World has the best in nautical writing and photography, up-to-the-minute technical reports, equipment valuation, new boat tests and informed comment.

SUNSAIL - A new sponsor to Antigua Sailing Week for 2012, Sunsail offers a wide choice of sailing holidays and experiences with over 800 yachts in 30 locations worldwide.  Alongside yacht charter and flotilla sailing holidays, Sunsail offers a range of other yachting options and in 2011 introduced Sunsail Racing.  Sunsail was founded in 1974 and is owned by TUI Travel, PLC.

ANTIGUA DISTILLERY LTD./ENGLISH HARBOUR AGED 5 YEARS ANTIGUA RUM - After a partnership spanning nearly fifteen years, Antigua Sailing Week is pleased that Antigua Distillery Ltd. is now a Gold Sponsor and its Official Rum Supplier.  The Distillery was formed in 1932 from a group of small, individual rum shops. The original aged Cavalier Muscavado Rum was named after the high quality sugar molasses from which it was made.  In 1992 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Distillery introduced English Harbour Rum as an international brand. Crafted in copper stills, aged in oak barrels, and with an assortment of vintage rums, it has received worldwide recognition ranking English Harbour 5 Year Old Rum as one of the ten most remarkable rums worldwide.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA MINISTRY OF TOURISM, CIVIL AVIATION & CULTURE - Every year the Ministry of Tourism shows significant support not only financially and in the planning and organisation of Antigua Sailing Week, but it plays a major part in the marketing of the event year round.  The Ministry’s support continues to grow as the event evolves and is vital to the continued success of Antigua Sailing Week as a world class yachting event.

IMOBILE – Imobile is a new sponsor to the event and joins as the Official Telecommunications Sponsor for Antigua Sailing Week 2012.  Based in Antigua, imbolie offers first class coverage island-wide on its cell phone network.

Silver sponsors include:

LIAT (1974) LTD. – LIAT, a proud Silver Sponsor and the Official Regional Carrier of Antigua Sailing Week, has been serving the Caribbean for over 50 years.  Visitors are able to easily access any of 21 choice destinations.  LIAT provides excellent connections with international carriers serving the major hubs of the Caribbean with competitive and affordable fares.

CARIB BEER – Launched on May 16, 1950, this full-bodied, clear and refreshing lager beer is theflagship brand of Carib Brewery and the preferred brew of Trinidad and Tobago.  Carib Lager is deeply rooted in the way of life of the Caribbean people.  The brand is fashionable and youthful and very ‘today’, just like the people it represents – a people with vision for and of the future.  Carib’s vision is to become the most sought after Caribbean beer in the international marketplace.

OCEAN POTION – Ocean Potion is proud to be on board as the Official Suncare of Antigua Sailing Week.  It’s anti-aging, instant-dry, non-greasy formulas are fortified with Vitamin D, ‘The Sunshine Vitamin’!  Ocean Potion glides on easily for quick absorption and provides the highest stabilized broad spectrum protection rich in healthy anti–oxidants to nourish the skin - perfect for every wind, every island and every body! 

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA DEPARTMENT OF MARINE SERVICES AND MERCHANT SHIPPING (ADOMS) – ADOMS is the National Maritime Authority of Antigua and Barbuda and has its principal office in St. John's.  It has a secondary office in Germany which is engaged in maritime issues related to the registration of ships intending to fly the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. The objective of ADOMS is to maintain an international registry and it is the official body that runs the ship and yacht registry for Antigua and Barbuda. ADOMS recently officially launched its Yacht Registry.

TOWNHOUSE MEGASTORE - Townhouse Megastore provides all the staging and production needs of Antigua Sailing Week.  The Townhouse retail store is the largest home wares, electrical and household store in Antigua.

Bronze Sponsors include:

BRITISH AIRWAYS – Antigua Sailing Week is proud to welcome British Airways as a new Bronze Sponsor of Antigua Sailing Week for 2012.  Now with direct flights daily, British Airways offers an excellent direct flight service from Gatwick to Antigua.

Partners include:

Pineapple Rentals - Located in Jolly Harbour, Pineapple is Antigua Sailing Week 2012’s Official Car Rental Partner.  Pineapple offers an excellent range of vehicle rentals at very reasonable rates.  It also has pick-ups and specialist vehicles such as beach buggies and vehicles fitted for wheelchairs.

Caribbean Helicopters – Caribbean Helicopters is the Official Helicopter Tour Company of Antigua Sailing Week 2012.  ASW’s eye in the sky, literally, Caribbean Helicopters will not only be providing flights for official photographers and videographers, but will also be offering thrilling rides to anyone who wants to get a view of the racing from the sky.

National Parks Antigua - As the historic home to Antigua Sailing Week, the National Parks and, more specifically Nelson’s Dockyard, play a very important role in creating the ambience and atmosphere for which Antigua Sailing Week is so famous.

Antigua Yacht Club – For almost the first time in the history of the event, Antigua Yacht Club will be the host venue for the administration of Antigua Sailing Week.  The Committee Desk will open at AYC on Wednesday, April 25 and Registration will commence at noon on Thursday, April 26.

The organisers of Antigua Sailing Week would also like to thank the many businesses and individuals who provide invaluable support to Antigua Sailing Week in the lead up to and during the event.  Without the generosity and assistance of those businesses and individuals, Antigua Sailing Week would not be able to happen.

There are still many sponsorship opportunities available for Antigua Sailing Week 2012 and into the future, including Title Sponsorship which provides the sponsor with the opportunity to add its name to the event, and Diamond Sponsorship.  Antigua Sailing Week invites inquiries for sponsorship at any level and anyone interested in receiving more information on the benefits of sponsorship should contact Alison Sly-Adams at info@sailingweek.com or visit the Antigua Sailing Week website at http://www.sailingweek.com/v3/sponsoropportunities.php.

Article by Kathy Lammers, editor of Antigua's Yachting Insider.