Sunday, April 29, 2018

Antigua Sailing Week Preview

J/122 Liquid from Antigua(Falmouth Harbour, Antigua)- More than 100 boats registered from 30 countries worldwide and crews from many more will be taking part in a nine-day festival of racing and shoreside events that is Antigua Sailing Week 2018, the Caribbean’s longest running regatta.

“The DNA of Antigua Sailing Week is professional race management and fun ashore after racing,” commented Commercial Director of Antigua Sailing Week, Alison Sly-Adams. “Last year we celebrated 50 years of Antigua Sailing Week and this year we see as the start of the next half century.

“We have a great format with 3 to 4 hours of racing each day off the South-East coast of Antigua. Once competitors get ashore, they experience fantastic events suitable for everyone. We have tried hard to listen to what the competitors want and also provide a great environment for non-racing friends and family.”

Over 70 yachts will be racing in the CSA Classes and winning skippers of the famous Lord Nelson Trophy will be competing.

Antigua Sailing Week beach partyThe CSA racing fleet has a huge variety of professional and Corinthian sailors, young and old. In the CSA Racing Class, there will be a trio of J/122s going for the gold, such as hometown hero Pamala Baldwin’s LIQUID, Victor Vasiliou’s NOISY OYSTER from France, and Kym Kapalla’s EL OCASO from Roadtown BVI.  The J/120 JAGUAR, skippered by Ben Jelic from St Maarten and another local hero, Tanner Jones’ J/30 BLUE PETER/ CARIBBEAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE, will join them.

Racing kicks off with the stand-alone Peters & May Round Antigua Race on Saturday April 28 followed by six days of Antigua Sailing Week from April 29 to May 4. While racing always comes first at Antigua Sailing Week, the shoreside fun is very much part of the regatta.

Competitors gather after racing for the daily prize giving. On May 1, internationally acclaimed reggae artiste, Tarrus Riley is set to headline at Reggae in the Park along with DJ Puffy and Private Ryan, one of the most highly anticipated events on the Antigua Sailing Week Party Calendar. After the big party night, the Wadadli Lay Day Beach Party on May 2 will this year include fun dinghy and SUP racing and zany beach games along with a line-up of seven DJs.

The Final Awards Ceremony & Party is always a memorable occasion and the fun doesn’t stop there, with Dockyard Day and the Inet Dickenson Bay Beach Bash closing the 2018 regatta on May 6th.   Follow Antigua Sailing Week on Facebook   For more Antigua Sailing Week information Add to Flipboard Magazine.