2026 got off to a flying start at the Antigua Yacht Club with the inaugural RS Elite Cup, a weekend that blended high-quality racing, classic regatta drama, and unmistakable Antiguan flair. The RS Elite is an increasingly popular 24 foot one-design keelboat, known for fast, tactical racing. Congratulations are due to AYC Rear Commodore Sandy Mair, who delivered a hugely successful event marked by excellent competition, good humour, and resilience both on and off the water. As the first RS Elite Cup hosted by AYC, the first to bring together the scattered Antigua fleet, it set a strong benchmark for future events and sparked discussion about forming an RS Elite Antigua Owners’ Association, with AYC keen to support and host more regular racing.
Racing and Regatta Realities
Saturday racing opened with behind-the-scenes drama when the committee boat dragged her anchor in the stiff beeze and caught a line around her propellor.. The AYC safety boat sprang into action to make the committee boat safe and smartly took up position on the start line to ensure that racing could continue. That was not the only casualty of the stiff breeze. Two of the channel buoys marking the main AYC channel had decided to drift off station, including the one the committee has chosen as the windward mark for the racing fleet. Despite the drama, the AYC committee overcame adversity and adapted to ensure that a full programme of racing was completed with minimum delay. A testament to the flexibility and determination of the team.
On the water, the racing itself was close and highly competitive with the conditions proving challenging and forcing the sailors to sail at their best. Positions changed frequently and there were often not more than a couple of boat lengths to separate the fleet. It included its fair share of drama with one boat forgetting to pass through the start line on the downwind leg, one retirement with gear failure, one collision, and one OCS call (over the line at the start), sending the offending competitor back to restart – losing valuable time. There was drama at both windward and leeward marks with boats coming together, prompting some spirited shouting. Penalty turns soon resolved the issues, keeping the championship battle alive.
A Truly Antiguan Fleet
The fleet reflected a genuinely pan-Antigua event, with boats and crews coming together from around the island, representing Jumby Bay, Nonsuch Bay, English, Falmouth and Jolly Harbours, including an enthusiastic young crew sailing Brown Skin Girl (BSG). Budget Marine added extra spice to the fleet by fielding ringer Ossie Stewart, RS Elite British Champion and Barcelona Olympic bronze medallist, raising the competitive bar across the board.
After Day 1, Geoffrey Perini (with 2 firsts) of Antigua Rigging, sailing Splice, led the standings, with Budget Marine boat Oozlumbird close behind, setting the stage for a competitive final day. Paul Deeth from English Harbour sailing De Boom won line honours in the first race.
Day 2: Racing Meets Culture
Second day format included 2 races in the morning followed by lunch at the AYC, and the final 2 races in the afternoon. There was again – inevitably – a little more committee boat drama when the windmark channel mark, having now gone walkabout, required the smart laying of a replacement buoy by the safety boat, to ensure that racing was not delayed. Conditions remained excellent in the windy and choppy conditions and racing stayed tight. One collison in the first race at the first windward mark rounding set the tone for some seriously competitive racing. Three boats shared the
line honours in the 4 races. Martin Beck (Kyrie) from Nonsuch Bay (2 firsts), local sailor Rhone Kirby (Racy Lady) in the Jumby Bay board, and Ossie Stewart (Oozlumbird) in the Budget Marine boat. One boat failed to read the sailing instructions and headed home after a (perhaps boozy) lunch, missing the final two races of the regatta entirely!
Ashore, the regatta atmosphere was lifted further by steel band Panache and spectacular stilt dancers, who provided a colourful send-off for the Oyster World Rally while simultaneously delivering a dramatic serenade as the RS Elites returned from their morning races. Social evenings at the Commodore’s Bar rounded out the regatta experience, reinforcing the balance between competition and camaraderie.
Results and Recognition
In the end, Splice claimed overall victory, followed closely by Oozlumbird. The Jumby Bay entry Racy Lady, helmed by former AYC instructor Rhone Kirby, sailed in third.
Valuable prizes were awarded by Commodore Dr Clarence Pilgrim; noone is now without WD40 or AYC t-shirts! Vice Commodore and ABSAR Director Cdr Richard Fear awarded the Safety on the Water Award to organiser Sandy Mair for “the most blood shed” – a nod to the realities of hands-on regatta management – a band-aid that was immediately put into action on the wounded shin!
A Strong Start to 2026
The RS Elite Regatta ticked every box—close racing, good vibes and just enough drama to keep everyone entertained. As an opener to the 2026 sailing calendar, it set the tone perfectly, and with growing fleet interest, enthusiastic backing from AYC, and talk of more regular events, the RS Elite class is becoming an exciting and growing addition to the calendar.
As one sailor put it: “sunshine, wind, friends, challenging racing, what more can anyone want?”
Well done to all involved in making the first RS Elite regatta at AYC such a memorable success.
