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SOURCE POINTE EXPRESS: Chairman of the National Park Authority, Senator Philip Shoul, has voiced his opposition to the proposed introduction of a new sailing regatta in March.
Shoul is clearly against the concept recently announced by Tourism Minister Charles Max Fernandez during a broadcast on Pointe FM Radio.
While the government plans to roll out this new event in March 2027, Senator Shoul believes that this move could undermine the longstanding Antigua Sailing Week (ASW), scheduled for the end of April to the first weekend in May.
Shoul urged a reconsideration of priorities, suggesting that instead of creating another regatta, stakeholders should focus on revitalizing ASW, which has been a staple in the Caribbean sailing calendar for over 50 years
He pointed out that the sailing landscape is already crowded, with over twenty-two regattas held throughout the Caribbean in a single year.
March, in particular, is packed with prestigious events such as the St. Thomas International Regatta, the BVI Spring Regatta, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, and the St. Bart’s Bucket Regatta.
Shoul expressed doubt about the viability of adding another competition during this busy month, asserting that it would likely fail to attract participants and spectators alike.
The senator further raised concerns about the management of ASW, noting that there have been significant declines in yacht participation.
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This is like the blind leading the blind.
The RORC Nelson’s Cup Series as part of the Caribbean 600 in February and March , and is already part of the Cup racing season
Owners are no longer coming as in the past owing to the Alfa Nero Corruption scandal.
Ironically the earlier seasonal regatta in Antigua the RORC fleet were dominated by whom? THE RUSSIANS
STOP WITH THE LIES AND PROPAGANDA!!!!!
I’m with Shoul on this one. Do we really need another regatta when existing ones aren’t fully supported?
Sometimes I feel like these events only cater to elites, not everyday Antiguans.
If the new regatta overlaps with Sailing Week, I think it could split resources and attention.
@Observer – Do everyday Antiguans have boats to enter? Our main industry is tourism. Though most of us will never stay in a local hotel room, we all benefit from it.
There is too much backbiting and favoritism and he is the cause of it. It leaves a bitter taste in people’s mouth when he/they dictates who can have parties out in EH. I say take him out of the equation and you see how quickly things will turn around.
They should get an opinion from Faithful National #1 he seems to have a solution for everything except how to stop the corruption
I agree with Senator Shoul and I think that more should and could be done in order to revive, restore and rejuvenate Antigua Sailing Week to what it was in times past. Trying to start any new regatta would be counter-productive and would only serve to drive the final nails in the coffin of the now regatta. Since the Covid pandemic, Sailing Week has not recovered and regained its prominence, acclaim and glory. All the events in recent years has either been reduced or watered down and it has lost its steam. As one who grew up in English Harbour and have witnessed Sailing Week at its best, it is sad to see where it is today. We have all but lost the sting and excitement out of one of our key calendar events and my take is that much more could have been done to revive and rescue the event.
I though the Sailing Week was a Government Organized Event. Like Carnival. But since it is not the organizers should have never been aloud to call it Antigua Sailing Week. Even though it has over the years brough lots of revenue and promotion to our twin Island State. Perhaps starting this new Sailing Week will be government owned and control and therefore we do not have to depend on these foreign actors to determine whether or not we have a good sailing week. They should be stopped to use Antigua’s name in their promotion of the sailing week. Call it whatever you want. But now ASW. Because it is not. Perhaps the organizors should name it after them. Antigua Hotel and Tourism Association. ABHTA Sailing Week. I still don’t know and can’t see what the hell they have to do with organizing a sailing week event. Is it that they hope to fill the hotels? Many of those people stay on the boats.
All you silly people, ASW was started by AHTA & ATB(Antigua Tourist Board), and when it became profitable, it was sold to 3 white women, who may be the current owners. It got better for one year as it was on the trajectory, but let’s face it – they were just not salty enough! They ran ASW into men a pause!
Get those salty men back at the helm!
Sailing Week competes with other venues world wide and they are competing for the same dollars that we are. This year many boats left at the start of April because they wanted to get to Europe for the start of their season. I don’t blame them Sailing Week has become boring, there is no buzz in the air anymore. I believe we need to rejuvenate Sailing Week by bringing back the local spectators and vendors, stop focusing it on English Harbour only, encourage regional sailing classes from the French islands and the Grenadines. We also need to increase the visibility of the crews and make their names known locally. The most successful team last year was made up of about 10 local boys and girls between 11 and 16, with only two adults on board. The talent is here, it is competitive, but we do not highlight it. Until we promote these athletes, just like a young cricketer would be, we will not know of our international success.
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