far from being a breeze (so to speak), this race offers some of the most challenging conditions and tactical decisions of any race in the world – often beating to windward in 25 knot winds, surfing down 12-foot waves with a spinnaker when reaching from Barbuda to Redonda or drifting in the lee of Guadeloupe hoping to pick up the next thermal winds that may fill in from any direction. If however you prefer more relaxed fun on the water, there are two events on the Calendar which will deliver not just great racing but plenty of memories off the water….if you don’t over-indulge in the rum that is! The first option takes place on New Year’s Eve, or Old Year’s Night as it is called locally, and is known as the Nelson’s Pursuit. The race commemorates Lord Nelson’s famous pursuit of the French fleet under the command of Admiral Pierre Villeneuve across the Atlantic in 1805, culminating in the blockade of Cadiz and the subsequent battle of Trafalgar, Nelson’s greatest victory, during which he was tragically shot and mortally wounded by a French sniper. The boat with the lowest rating sets off first at approximately 11 am (carrying the French flag) and the rest of the fleet follows in hot pursuit of the French boat, at assigned times based on their estimated speed around the course. The winner of the race is the first boat to cross the finish line and every entry wins
something to suit all palates. And of course the strapline, where sailing meets fun! says it all. But . . . if you only have a week or a few days for vacation, how can you participate? Well, that is easy. There is a plethora of yacht charter options for you to choose from - from sleek performance yachts to bareboats, there really are yachts of every type at every price point available. First, Global Yacht Racing. Owner Andy Middleton offers individual crew berths and whole boat charter options on superbly maintained and race prepared yachts throughout the Caribbean season - EH01, a Beneteau 47.7, has had podium results in Antigua, St. Maarten and the British Virgin Islands and a First 40 has also had its fair share of wins. Global offers skippered or owner’s representative charters only and emphasizes the quality of its preparation and maintenance. Of the Caribbean regatta circuit Andy says: ‘The Caribbean regatta circuit just keeps getting better. The weather is awesome, the locations are awesome and the organisers care enough about their events to try really hard, that’s a great combination.’ KA Yacht Charter offers a skippered boat but is happy for its clients to helm and call the shots. The price to charter the boat for Antigua Sailing Week plus a few a few days training beforehand is very
a bottle of rum. Fun prizes for best period costume and the coveted scrimshaw plaque for the overall winner are awarded while competitors enjoy Chippy’s famous rum punch in the historic surroundings of Nelson’s Dockyard. For those who wish to partake, dinner is available in the Dockyard followed by New Year celebrations with the final salute of fireworks at midnight. And if one day of racing is just not enough, there is always the threeday Jolly Harbour Valentine’s Regatta and Rum Festival which takes place mid-February each year. An inclusive, professionally run, fun regatta, it provides racing to suit everyone – from CSA classes to pursuit races to a Laser Pico fleet. In 2013, the Valentine’s Regatta featured racing held in the turquoise waters off the west coast of Antigua, followed by social events ashore after each day’s on-the-water activities. The quality of racing was exceptional and enjoyed by a growing fleet of yachts which, without exception, vowed to return for the 21st anniversary of the event in February 2014. A unique and very special addition to this all-new regatta was the Rum Festival which completely transformed the shoreside events. No other regatta in the Caribbean is associated with a Rum Festival and the concept was welcomed by sailors and partygoers alike. With seven Caribbean rums on board for the first year of the event, there was
reasonable. KA Yacht Charter has been competing and chartering at Antigua Sailing Week for the last 10 years. In 2013 its fully raceprepared First 40.7, Coyote 2, finished as the top 40.7 in a fleet of five. KA Yacht Charter offers first class service and a competitive race boat in mint condition with quality race sails at a very competitive price. Antigua-based Ondeck offers yachts with skipper or owner’s representative onboard or as bareboats. The yachts include a Santa Cruz 37, Jeanneau 44, Beneteau First 40 and 40.7 and two Dehler 39s. They can match the boat to your requirements and budget and you have the benefit of a full on-the-ground management team that can assist with your logistics throughout the week. Quokka, a very successful Grand Soleil 43, is run by Deep Blue Racing and recently completed the ARC in 3rd place overall. Skippered by Philippe Falle, Quokka has an enviable track record which includes winning the UK IRC Nationals outright and a top 10 overall finish in the Rolex Fastnet. Philippe has been training teams for 11 years and has won the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Boat of the Year award, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta and the Rolex Fastnet Race in class. There are spaces available aboard Quokka for individuals for quality training and racing. ‘Charisma’ provides an opportunity to feel the magic of sailing with a modern legend in ocean racing! ?
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