{"id":243923,"date":"2025-07-21T11:05:52","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T15:05:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=243923"},"modified":"2025-07-21T11:08:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T15:08:19","slug":"antigua-launches-high-energy-racing-spin-off-the-antigua-racing-cup-while-antigua-sailing-week-heralds-an-exciting-return-to-destination-sailing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/antigua-launches-high-energy-racing-spin-off-the-antigua-racing-cup-while-antigua-sailing-week-heralds-an-exciting-return-to-destination-sailing\/","title":{"rendered":"Antigua Launches High-Energy Racing Spin-Off: The Antigua Racing Cup while Antigua Sailing Week heralds an exciting return to Destination Sailing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment is pleased to announce that a new vision for yachting in Antigua and Barbuda<\/a><\/strong> is beginning to take shape, building on the long-established brand of Antigua Sailing Week and the island\u2019s proud maritime traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The Ministry of Tourism in consultation will all the relevant stakeholders is pleased to announce the launch of The Antigua Racing Cup, a bold new addition to Antigua\u2019s yachting calendar that will take place from April 9 \u2013 12, kicking off a month of exciting sailing events”.<\/p>

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The Antigua <\/a><\/strong>Racing Cup is an event for racing purists\u2014those who prefer high-energy, coastal racing with a fast-paced schedule and a focus on spirited competition.<\/p>

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The event will feature 4 days of exhilarating races in conditions envied by most \u2013 balmy temperatures, trade winds, big seas at very short distances from shore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategically placed in the calendar to allow teams to compete and then head off to their summer events, racers can expect finely tuned variations of the exhilarating courses they would usually associate with sailing conditions along Antigua\u2019s spectacular southern coast, and spectators will still enjoy the breathtaking views from land, sea, or air.<\/p>

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Onshore, English Harbour will continue to buzz with energy, and the social calendar will certainly remain packed. Local vendors and artisans will be there to excite every appetite not to mention the bars, restaurants, and beach venues in & around English Harbor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0 All enthused to host nightly events, including live music, themed parties, and cultural celebrations that highlight the best of Antiguan hospitality<\/p>

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In contrast, Antigua Sailing Week, which will take place from April 22 to 26, 2026, makes a return to its traditional point-to-point courses, as each day\u2019s sailing will conclude at a different scenic destination. <\/p>

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Sailors will enjoy vibrant after-race socials infused with local culture. ASW will entertain a mix of boat types and crews, and is tailored to cruisers, rally-style participants and bareboat charter groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courses will be point to point for ralliers, and for those who want to compete, additional marks will be dropped, tacking duels commence and courses timed as the competitors enjoy a different coastal course each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Antigua Racing Cup is for those on tight schedules who want a fast, focused, and fiercely fun regatta, while Antigua Sailing Week returns to its cruising roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having two separate events, each with a narrower focus, will allow us to deliver a more immersive and enriching yachting experience to a wider audience,\u201d said Race Manager Jaime Torres.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the repositioning of Antigua Sailing Week and the creation of the new Antigua Racing Cup, Minister of Tourism, Charles \u201cMax\u201d Fernandez says, \u201cThis exciting new and strategic direction comes after consulting with all our stakeholders, both at the community level and those directly involved in the yachting sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We anticipate a period of sailing in Antigua that better serves everyone, dedicated racers and social cruisers\u2014while celebrating everything we love about sailing in Antigua & Barbuda\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

April 2026 will be a glorious month of sailing in Antigua and Barbuda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Antigua Sailing Week and the new Antigua Racing Cup, the sailing calendar will also feature the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta with the introduction of a Model Boat Race which will be an exciting draw for the entire family showcasing boats built by the local yachting community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encompassing an entire month of great sailing and parties where all can celebrate our rich maritime traditions where the various events and cultural activities showcase the true spirit of our islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key highlights of The Antigua Racing Cup:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n