ENGLISH HARBOUR, Antigua — Nelson’s Dockyard came alive this week as sailors from around the world gathered at the Copper & Lumber Store Hotel for the official skipper’s briefing and opening celebrations of the 57th Antigua Sailing Week.
Race Officer Chris Mansfield outlined conditions ahead of the opening leg of the four-day round-the-island regatta, forecasting light winds for Thursday’s start.
“The cruisers will start first and have a laid-back ride to Green Island,” Mansfield said. “The racers will have a challenging test ahead of them. The boats that perform best tomorrow will be the ones who are gentlest with their manoeuvres.”
During the briefing, Antigua Sailing Week President Alison Sly-Adams previewed a full schedule of shoreside entertainment, including a barefoot barbecue at Green Island hosted by Falmouth Ocean Club, steel pan music at The Hut, and a beach festival with vendors and live music at Ffryes Beach.
Participants were also treated to Nautical Nomads, the signature cocktail of Nikki Beach, while crews and cruisers shared their excitement for the days ahead.
Nancy Karr, sailing aboard the 36-foot catamaran Tropic Bird, said she was most looking forward to the camaraderie onboard.
“It’s all fun and no stress,” she said.
Racer Hans Voorn of Contigo – Team Hi-1 summed up his crew’s ambitions more directly: “Sailing, sun, and fun — that’s all we need. And winning.”
Also featured during the opening festivities were the winners of the Antigua Sailing Week Happy Kids School Art Competition. Overall winner Zoey Carter of Sir Novelle Richards Academy and People’s Choice winner Savanah Holborough of St. Nicholas Primary School had their creative works displayed during the event.
The evening concluded with a lively welcome party sponsored by the Citizenship by Investment Unit, featuring music by Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra and performances by The Xclamation Performers. Sailors, crews, and supporters danced late into the night ahead of the official start from Windward Bay to Green Island.
Now in its 57th year, Antigua Sailing Week remains one of the Caribbean’s premier spring regattas, combining world-class racing with one of the region’s most vibrant social calendars.
