Antigua Sailing Week – Love and Unity

The Final Awards Ceremony was a wonderful occasion for the final party. The World Heritage site, Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour was a perfect setting for the famous awards ceremony. Guests of Honour were Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez – Minister of Tourism and Economic Development, Gregory Athill representing the Parliamentary representative for St. Pauls, Minister EP Chet Greene, Phillip Shoul – Chairman of the National Parks Authority, and Mrs Ann Marie Martin – Commissioner of the National Parks.

Antigua Sailing Week YouTube: https://youtu.be/Yk3XMnxM4hs

The National Anthem of Antigua was sung by Janisha Jacobs before Antigua Sailing Week Race Manager Jaime Torres invited Prize Winners to come to the main stage. All of the CSA, Club and Bareboat Class Winners at Antigua Sailing Week were awarded historic trophies and went home with Keeper Trophies and Locman Italy watches.

Chris & Caroline Body racing J/122 El Ocaso lifted the Lord Nelson Trophy and took victory in CSA Racing 2 © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

“I am completely flummoxed!” smiled Chris Body. “On behalf of the competitors, I would like to thank Alison, Jamie, Rana and the entire team who create and manage Antigua Sailing Week. These regattas don’t just happen, they take a monumental amount of effort, and I know every competitor really appreciates the effort to make this such a spectacular event. Thanks to all the sponsors who kindly supported ASW and who provide that all so important lubricant to help make this event happen.”

Chris Body continued, “I must say that looking at my wife admiring her new Locman watch this morning makes me hopeful that she might forgive me for spending so much on the boat! A big thank you to all the competitors and not only in our class. It was really great meeting and racing against you guys. As ever, you never give an inch on the race course, but are great fun at the bar. Antigua Sailing Week is one of the best warm water regattas in the world, with a great balance between competitive racing and time ashore, all wrapped up with great and reliable weather and very friendly and welcoming people. Spread the word!”

John Evans & Trey Sheehan’s TP52 Hooligan (USA) were second overall and won CSA 1 © Visual Echo

“I feel very blessed to sail with the Hooligan team,” commented John Evans. “Hooligan is a really good boat. I am ecstatic that I came to Antigua Sailing Week. This is the best sailing regatta that I have ever participated in and there is a long list of those! It’s very well run, very well organised. The Race Committee did an amazing job, and the conditions were just unbelievable. On the last day we had the most wind we have had all week, it was a bit tough but so much fun!”

Chris Woods team on his Swan 49 Assuage celebrate their CSA 4 win and third overall © Visual Echo

Built in 1996, the Frers Swan 48 Assuage is proof that a boat that is nearly 30 years old can make the overall podium and win class at Antigua Sailing Week. Chris Woods has beautifully restored Assuage and sails her with family and friends. “She is a lovely boat and I am glad that I brought it back to some fame,” commented Chris Woods. “It has been a week of ups and downs. We busted a few things, but now I am happy as Larry! Assuage is a tricky boat to sail, but when she goes, she absolutely flies at 10 knots upwind! The boat is known by so many people and I am delighted to have raced at Antigua Sailing Week.”

Ocean Tribute – Guy Chester’s team on his Crowther Trimaran from Australia win the Multihull class © Visual Echo

The winner of CSA Multihull lifting the A&F Sails Cup was Guy Chester’s Ocean Tribute (AUS). Second winning the Commanders Cup was Michel Larroche’s Tribe (FRA) and third was Fedrik Moe’s Moementum (JAM).

“This is a really good way to finish the season!” laughed Guy Chester. “We have done everything from Barbados Sailing Week, St. Maarten, the BVIs, St. Barths and to finish at Antigua Sailing Week with a win is just fantastic! I first sailed here in Anthony McVeigh’s Dragonfly catamaran, I have sailed with Bernie Evan-Wong’s Taz and Pamala Baldwin’s Liquid, and Robbie Ferron’s Oozlumbird, and on the TP52 Conviction. To bring my own boat back here, sailing it from New Zealand, is just frickin’ awesome!”

J/120 J-Aguar win CSA 4 © Visual Echo

“We had an absolutely great week,” commented J-Aguar’s Jim Ryan. “We put this together just a few months ago. We are all dinghy sailors but this is my seventh Antigua Sailing Week and I love it. I first came here 10 years ago when we won the Hamptons Challenge. This year, we worked as a team and we all got along on a great boat. Winning came down to not making mistakes and working hard, and we all still like each other!”

The winner of CSA 5 lifting the Governor General Cup was Tristan Marmousez’s GFA Caraïbes – La Morrigane (FRA). Second was Jules Mitchell’s NSA Spirit (ANT), winning the Grant Thornton Trophy and third was Jean François Terrien’s Sang Neuf (FRA), which was the winner of the Travelers Trophy. Antigua Sailing Week was unfinished business for GFA Caraïbes – La Morrigane, which was second last year by just two points to NSA Spirit.

“It was very nice to win this year to make up for last year,” commented Tristan Marmousez. “This year we had a lot of current and very complicated conditions. We are so happy as we have won in Grenada, St. Maarten, and now in Antigua. We cannot wait for next year!”

Lifting the Governor General Cup for CSA 5 – Tristan Marmousez’s GFA Caraïbes – La Morrigane (FRA) © Visual Echo

Overall winner in the Dream Yacht Charter Bareboat Class – Coleman Garvey’s KH+P Nolde (IRL) © Visual Echo

“I first came here as a once in a lifetime trip in 2013, but this is my sixth regatta!” smiled Coleman Garvey. “The competition in our class was fierce, so to win overall is just fantastic. Thank you to all the competitors and the organisers of this great regatta. I am sure we will be back again; it has been a wonderful surprise to win overall, at an exceptional regatta.”

Alfred Geisser’s KH+P Botero (SUI) win Bareboat 1 © Visual Echo

Robby Nitsche’s KH+P Barbuda (GER) win Bareboat 3 © Visual Echo

The inaugural Antigua Wingfoil Championship Pro Class was especially intense, with local Wingfoiler Idani Edwards and Martinique Wingfoiler Anthony Smith battling for first place. Smith won the final and deciding race by just two minutes from Edwards.

Back in February, Antiguan Optimist Champion Emily Gaillard became the youngest competitor to complete the gruelling RORC Caribbean 600. At Antigua Sailing Week, Emily skippered Outdoor World Yamaha (ANT) to victory in the RS Elite Class, with a crew of Shannoy Malone and Alistair Knoblauch. All three are just 15 years of age and lifted the One Design Trophy as well as the Youth Trophy for Antigua Sailing Week. Second in the RS Elite Class was Paul Deeth’s Da Boom (ANT) and third was Robbie Ferron’s Oozlumbird.

Emily Gaillard, Shannoy Malone and Alistair Knoblauch were victorious in the RS Elite Class on Outdoor World Yamaha (ANT) © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

Reggie Williams’ Soverel 43 Legacy from Trinidad and Tobago © Visual Echo

“My Uncle Douglas was the first builder and operator of Legacy. I was his apprentice in the 80s and for this regatta my son is sailing with us for the first time,” explained Reginald Williams. “We nearly didn’t make it this year; our engine was destroyed on the sail up and we had a new one fitted in Grenada. This year it was a wonderful opportunity to sail Legacy in these conditions, a privilege with this group of people. It has been wonderful and we look forward to coming back next year, and we encourage more boats from Trinidad to come. This regatta has beautiful sailing and great competition. We honour all of the competitors and in particular, Sir Hugh Bailey, who is an icon to our family.”

Geoffrey Pidduck’s Dehler 34 Hightide (ANT) win Club Class 2 © Visual Echo

Octogenarian Geoffrey Pidduck was competing at his 52nd Antigua Sailing Week and was congratulated by 15-year-old Carrack Jones at the prize giving. Pidduck’s advice to the young talented sailor. “Learn from your competition Carrack, and very well done to you and your team. For me, your effort has made this a very enjoyable competition.”

Internationally renowned Antiguan Band Asher Otto & Itchy Feet played a live set on the main stage after the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Final Awards Ceremony with DJ Purist spinning the tunes long into a memorable night.

55th edition of Antigua Sailing Week – Make a note in your diary – April 27th – May 3rd, 2024.