©Paul Wyeth pwpictures.com
In less than six weeks, over 80 boats and hundreds of crew from all over the world will arrive in English and Falmouth Harbours to participate in Antigua Sailing Week, one of the world’s notable sailing events, 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.
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.
BAREBOAT
The registered Bareboat fleet is currently 22-strong with teams from Germany, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States. Sunsail Yacht Charter, the event’s official bareboat partner, along with reputable ‘experience’ organizers 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 info@khp-yachtcharter.com.
RACE CHARTER
FULL BOAT
Volvo 70 Ocean Breeze – Formerly Telefonica Blue and Sanya Lan, the canting keel Farr design competed in the 2008-2009 and 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race. Ocean Breeze with a pro-am crew was the first Volvo 70 to complete the 2024 RORC Transatlantic Race. Ocean Breeze is capable of 30 knots of boat speed.
JPK 1180 Sunrise – Overall winner of the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race, Sunrise is a late availability for charter as a whole boat for the right team! A rare opportunity to charter a boat of this pedigree for any regatta, the 39ft high performance sloop will revel in big breeze and is very capable of winning silverware here in Antigua.
Pogo 12.50 Hermes – A race cruise designed for round the world sailing, Hermes has a full interior for up to seven people to live aboard, including 3 private cabins, a spacious cockpit, full galley, plus interior and exterior hot showers Capable of surfing at 25 knots, Hermes will provide exhilarating racing at Antigua Sailing Week.
INDIVIDUAL PLACES
Places are available on board the Salona 45, Panacea X, fresh off a victory at the Heineken St Maarten regatta. Join Canadian Katy Campbell and her crew for a memorable racing experience with a highly experienced female skipper.
One of the most powerful racing yachts at Antigua Sailing Week, with a huge sail plan turbocharged by a canting keel, is the VO65 Sisi. Capable of 30 knots of boat speed, Sisi is led by Volvo Ocean Race skipper Gerwin Jansen, and professional sailors give amateur guests the expertise and exhilaration of racing one of the world’s fastest ocean-going boats.
For more information any of the above available options, visit www.lvyachting.com
NOT RACING? CHASE THE RACE.
Private spectator Catamaran, uniquely positioned at the start line ©Antigua Sailing Week
Designed for friends and family of sailors, holidaymakers and residents of the island, ‘Chase the Race’ allows spectators to enjoy being part of the action at Antigua Sailing Week.
Whether on land, by sea, or by air, they can have fun watching the action and enjoying the breath-taking scenery of the island before regrouping with the participants at the Regatta Village located at Antigua Yacht Club Lawn and the AYC Marina Platform to experience entertainment, cold Heineken Beer and of course daily prizes!
Visit the Chase the Race page on our website to find details of all the options, as well as the best vantage points during Antigua Sailing Week.
For more information about Antigua Sailing Week visit: www.sailingweek.com.
ABOUT ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK
Antigua Sailing Week, one of the longest-running Caribbean regattas, is held annually at the end of April. The 55th edition begins with the Peters & May Round Antigua Race on Saturday, April 27, followed by five days of competitive racing off the rugged south coast of Antigua, wrapping up on Friday, May 3, 2024. Antigua Sailing Week is also known for its spectator opportunities and vibrant social scene. Each night of the regatta features a variety of events, including parties, concerts, and dinners.
For full details on Antigua Sailing Week and the Peters & May Round Antigua Race, including news, photos, videos, and results, visit the official website: http://www.sailingweek.com.
2024 RACE DAY SPONSORS
Antigua & Barbuda Ministry of Tourism, Investment & Economic Development – http://www.visitantiguabarbuda.com
English Harbour 5 yr Rum – www.antiguadistillery.com
Peters & May Group – http://petersandmay.com
Citizenship by Investment Unit – https://cip.gov.ag/
Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort – https://aycmarinaresort.com/resort/
Axxess Marine – https://axxess-marine.com/
2024 EXCLUSIVE CATEGORY SPONSORS
Heineken Beer – https://www.heineken.com
GILL NA – https://row.gillmarine.com/
APUA Inet – http://www.apuainet.ag/
Virgin Atlantic – https://www.virginatlantic.com
CalvinAir – https://calvinair.com/
Seahawk Paints – http://seahawkpaints.com/
Sunsail – https://www.sunsail.com/
Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping – https://www.adoms.gov.ag/
BVI Yacht Sales – https://bviyachtsales.com/
Budget Marine – https://budgetmarine.com/
Tarsier Strategy – https://tarsierstrategy.com/
OFFICIAL VENUES
Antigua Yacht Club – http://www.antiguayachtclub.com
National Parks Antigua – http://www.nationalparksantigua.com/
