Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta: easy start to an exciting week

The 35th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta got off to a slow start today with unusual calm southerly winds which prompted the race committee to shorten the Old Road course. This however gave the crews time on the leeward rails to exchange stories and get to know each other better. At the first mark there were discussions based around how to avoid drifting into the buoy rather than rounding it. Most yacht persevered and finished when the wind picked up slightly, with a few deciding to retire and head to the beach, and some others not able to finish on time.

In the schooner class, 50-foot Charm III built in 1928 came first,with Eros coming second, the other two schooners Adventurer and Cassiopeia II did not finish. In the vintage and classic class, the 1930 Alfred Mylne design sloopThe Blue Peter came first, Seefalke II built in 1936 came second and Galatea the oldest boat in the fleet was third. In traditional class, the winner was the newly renovated Carriacou sloop Summer Cloud, second was New Moon owned by the West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation providing sail training to Antiguan youngsters and Genesis came third. In the spirit of tradition class, the Antiguan-based 47-foot Freya custom sloop was first, the Nicolson 55 Eager second and 64-foot Spirit Yacht Chloe Giselle came third. Modern A class was won by the Trinidad-based Soverel 43 Legacy, second was Bowman 49 Yemaya and coming third was the Swan 65 Saida. Lastly winning modern B class was the 29-foot Dragon Jabberwok, High Tide was second and Encore finished third.

Yesterday afternoon was the Concours d'Elegance judging with the winners being announced at the prize giving ceremony on Sunday. Last night's opening party at Boom started the Regatta in full swing. Racing will recommence tomorrow with the Butterfly race and hopefully more wind.