In less than 6 weeks, over 80 boats and hundreds of crew from all over the world will arrive in English and Falmouth Harbours to participate in the one of the world’s notable sailing events, Antigua Sailing Week, and to celebrate the staging of this epic event for its 55th year.
The assembled fleet in Antigua has always delivered thrilling action and teams from as far away as Finland and New Zealand will be taking up the challenge, racing in designated CSA Classes for the coveted Lord Nelson’s Trophy which is awarded to the most outstanding performance from a CSA Monohull during a lavish final award ceremony.
©Paul Wyeth pwpictures.com
Last year’s overall winning boat, Chris Body’s J/122 El Ocaso (GBR), is back but chartered to Tony & Sally Mack as McFly on El Ocaso. Team McFly have chartered boats for years in the Caribbean, but race together in the UK on the J/111 McFly and are reigning National Champions. “Now we are looking forward to sailing in warm weather,” commented driver Tony Mack. “Jeremy Smart of North Sails is our tactician, while the crew are made up of a group of very good friends from the UK, Ireland and the USA. Racing at Antigua Sailing Week gets the team together for excellent racing, something that training at home cannot come close to providing.”
2024 INSHORE RACING
The Antigua Sailing Week Dragon Cup, presented by the Antigua Yacht Club Marina & Resort will take place again during Antigua Sailing Week. 7 identical Petticrow Dragons will be racing in Falmouth Harbour. Current Class President of the International Dragon Association, Poul Hoj-Jensen will be on the start line. His accolades include two times Olympic Gold Medalist in the Soling class and multiple World Championships across multiple classes and five time Gold Cup Winner in the Dragon class. He will be up against defending Antigua National Champion Rocco Falcone who has recently been selected to be on the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli youth team for the upcoming Unicredit Youth America’s Cup
Owner of the Antigua Yacht Club Marina and the beautiful dragons says, “I am excited to see the return of the Antigua Dragon Cup and to see the boats back in the waters of Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour. We are inviting dragon sailors from around the world to take part in this prestigious event”. Parties interested in the invitational can submit their interest here.
RS Elite keelboats will enjoy the same racecourse as the Dragon Class with at least ten races scheduled to take place in Falmouth Harbour and if conditions permit, off the South Coast of Antigua. A few privately owned RS Elites are still available for charter for the event including practice days. To inquire please contact fleet manager here.
Sailors and spectators who are also wingers will have the opportunity to get a jump on adrenaline by participating the second edition of the Antigua Wingfoil Championships (AWC) which has been moved to earlier in the regatta in order to avoid conflict with ASW race days. Starting on April 25 there will be two consecutive action-packed days of racing also in Falmouth Harbour followed by a long-distance downwinder along the scenic south coast on April 27. Everyone is welcome, from leisurely adventures seekers, to professional racers, to be a part of the adventure which will be based at Pigeon Point Beach.
©William Simpson Photography
Maxim van den Pol, organizer of Caribbean Foiling Championships and the AWC, declares, “Winging is fast, fun and exciting. It bridges the gap across water-sports enthusiasts, and we are excited to join forces with one of the world’s major sailing events, to host this Wingfoil Class.’’
LAST MINUTE CHARTER
Everything happening, everywhere, all at once means that participants from at least 18 different countries will be enjoying spectacular racing and fun-filled parties ashore and fortunately there are still opportunities to join the international sailing-set at the world famous regatta. Complete boat charter plus individual or group bookings are available allowing you to Rock Up & Race with minimal logistics planning.BAREBOATThe registered Bareboat fleet is currently 22-strong with teams from Germany, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States. Sunsail Yacht Charter the events official bareboat partner along with reputable ‘experience’ organisers KH+P Yachtcharter, still have two boats available which offer you and your team a turn-key opportunity to participate. Not to mention, the racing is highly competitive right through the Bareboat fleets with equally matched boats.KH+P also offer race coaching, discussion and advice after the races, crew clothing and parties. If this sounds attractive, reach out to them today by emailing [email protected].
