The Countdown to 2018 Antigua Sailing Week Starts Now

by Kemoir Martin

Antigua Sailing Week’s 51st edition begins in exactly 2 months on April 28th.  We already have 75 entries hailing from over 15 countries and we can’t help but say it is shaping up to be a fantastic regatta!

We are happy to have Sergio Sagramoso’s Melges 32,  Lazy Dog,  back to vie for top honours this year.  Last year this small but feisty crew from Puerto Rico were winners of the Lord Nelson Trophy. We are also excited that many of the boats who have raced in the exceptionally challenging edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 will be joining us again. Check out the current entry list here. 

Friends and family who are accompanying participants to Antigua Sailing Week and aren’t planning on racing, can have their day on the water by booking a spot on a Chase The Race cruise with Wadadli Cats.  This year daily cruises leave from Falmouth Harbour Marina and can be booked and paid for in advance through our website.

Watch friends and family cross the start line and race off to the marks before  cruising to a sheltered harbour for a swim, snorkel and relaxation on deck sipping rum cocktails.  Return to the docks in time to celebrate with the victors at the afternoon prize-giving at Antigua Yacht Club.

For the partiers, as always we plan to bring you the best in Caribbean entertainment for the week starting with our island style opening ceremony.  We are requesting that all crews don their most festive team shirts and join us en masse for the parade on Saturday 28th at Antigua Yacht Club.  Efforts will not go unrewarded, as there will be free rum at the finishing end of the parade to kick things off courtesy Round Antigua Race sponsors Peters & May.

This is going to be another exciting year of racing, spectating and partying.  Are you ready?

Look Smart in your customised Gill Gear

This is the last week to place your orders for customised merchandise via the online store on the Antigua Sailing Week website. The Gill line offers a selection of polos, and technical gear so you can easily identify your team-mates or your rivals by the yacht name imprinted on the front of shirt.  Click here to place your order in time for pick up on arrival in Antigua. A discount of 10% is available for orders over US$500 (excluding customization fees).

For additional merchandise in the  2018 Gill range, including fleeces for your return back to colder climes, visit the ASW Store here https://www.sailingweek.com/store/.

Sign up for the sophomore year of Club Class

Get all the fun, excitement and action of Antigua Sailing Week by participating in the second year of the Club Class. This class is open to sailors who want to participate in the regatta, but who take their racing a little less seriously than other­s or don’t want the expense of a full CSA rating.

The entry fee for the ASW Club Class is US$8 per foot of measured overall length (or a third less than if you entered the CSA classes).

It will not be necessary for boats in the Class to obtain a full CSA Rating. A CSA Simplified Rating will be issued prior to the first day’s racing at a cost of US $50 that takes only minuted to produce.

There will be one race or two races per day for the Class. Only single headsail with or without pole will be allowed. No downwind sails, including mizzen staysails, are acceptable.  Full Club Class rules can be viewed here.

The fleet heading round Antigua, Peters and May round Antigua Race,

Peters & May Round Antigua Race

The Peters & May Round Antigua Race will return again on Saturday, April 28 with more classes and more exciting racing than ever before!
There are already 27 boats entered and that number is sure to grow as this race has been thrilling and popular with many Antigua Sailing Week participants for many years. Since its re-introduction in  2012, the optional race held the Saturday before Antigua Sailing Week is open to all yachts, whether or not entered in Antigua Sailing Week. With Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta concluding only a few days before the Peters & May Round Antigua Race, the race provides an ideal way for many classics to complete their Caribbean racing season so all classic yachts are welcome and encouraged to enter this one-day race. The race will also provide an excellent day of practice for boats preparing to compete in Antigua Sailing Week’s while experiencing the entire breathtaking Antiguan coastline.

If you haven’t already, there’s still time to enter the Peters & May Round Antigua Race . And if you have entered, you can review the notice of race here.

2018 Antigua Sailing Week Schedule

Saturday 28th April

Peters & May Round Antigua Race (RAR), RAR Prize Giving & the Official ASW Opening Party at Nelson’s Dockyard

Sunday 29th April
English Harbour Rum Race Day 1 & Daily Prize Giving & Party at The Antigua Yacht Club

Monday 30th April
Fever-Tree Race Day 2 & Daily Prize Giving & Party at The Antigua Yacht Club

Tuesday 1st May
ASW Race Day 3 & Daily Prize Giving at The Antigua Yacht Club
Reggae in the Park (Further announcements coming soon)

Wednesday 2nd May
Lay Day Beach Party at Pigeon Point Beach

Thursday 3rd May
Race Day 4 & Daily Prize Giving at Nelson’s Dockyard

Friday 4th May
Race Day 5 & Daily Prize Giving at Nelson’s Dockyard.
The Final Awards Ceremony & Party at Nelson’s Dockyard

Plus the finale weekend

Saturday 5th May
Dockyard Day at Nelson’s Dockyard.

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