Concours d’Elegance and Single Handed Race at Antigua Classics

Visitors to Nelson’s Dockyard, in search of history and elegance, found themselves with a double treat. They found an historic dockyard gone back in time, bustling with activity, people rushing around with ropes and flags. And coffee! The gracious Georgian buildings were matched by a fleet of classic yachts, masts and rigging gleaming for the Antigua Classic Regatta’s Concours d’Elegance. Polished brightwork, snapping flags and impeccable lines made for a dazzling, if difficult, task for the judges. Whatever their final decisions, the boats are left lingering in a state of quiet suspense, tantalised until Monday’s final results reveal whether all that loving spit and polish has been worth the effort.

While the judges deliberated, nine intrepid sailors slipped away on the single-handed race, quietly demonstrating seamanship at its purest. From the 70 foot schooner Magnolia to the 30 foot Blue Peter, each skipper sailed alone, save for a silent safety officer.

The Small Classics class was won by 32’ Paloma, in 58:10, followed by Ellamia in 1.00:10 and Arro in 1.08:58.

Flying the Cornish flag at her ensign stuff, Mark and Loz Cann’s 37-foot Falmouth Working Boat Arro of Penrhyn has a lot to live up to. In 2025 she won the Traditional Class, the best dressed boat in the Parade of Classics, AND the Kenny Coombs Memorial Spirit of the Regatta trophy. Today she showed her mettle in the single-handed race.

In Large Classics, Paul Deeth’s Petrana won in 45:40 seconds, followed by Magnolia in 51:01 and Ostwind in 1:15:09.

Blue Peter repeated her single-handed win in Modern Classics class, completing the course in 47:56. Tangaroa sailed in close behind in 55:10.

In Spirit of Tradition, Antiguan yacht Freya, helmed by Olympic sailor Karl James, took top honours in steady 15-knot breeze, encouraging signs for racing ahead.

The largest boat to have won this race remains the 114 foot schooner, Ashanti IV who sailed to victory in 2018 by skipper Kalle Ebner. Today an ankle injury prevented his attempting to repeat his feat.

After celebrations at the Crew Welcome Party overlooking the harbour at Boom! restaurant, crews sensibly retired, if not entirely early, ready for the regatta’s first races, hangovers permitting.