Why Antigua Sailing Week?
by Antigua Sailing Week 20 Dec 2014 10:14 GMT
25 April - 1 May 2015
Pocket Rocket wave farewell to Antigua Sailing Week 2014 © Tim Wright /
www.photoaction.com
Twenty-one boats have already entered and although it's early days, if you are planning to participate please let us know by entering here. It will let potential competitors who are still deciding whether they plan to race know who their competition will be – and it really does help us in the planning and logistics of our very special event.
If you haven't yet seen the Notice of Race check it out here - www.sailingweek.com/v4/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/NOR-2015-Final.pdf.
If you haven't been to Antigua Sailing Week for some years we have a quick overview for you of what has changed and what makes it worth the journey along with information on bareboat and race charters, multihulls and challenges for 2015.
And as it's coming up to Christmas we can't miss out information about our great new 2015 Gill Merchandise which is on island and selling as we write. Crew customization is available so read on to find out how to order.
If you have any queries, suggestions or feedback for us please just let us know. We are all ears and ready to help with anything you need from recommendations for marinas and accommodation to whether you should have ginger or coke in your English Harbour 5 Year Old Rum (we prefer ginger by the way:)).
Why Antigua Sailing Week?
If you haven't been back for a few years, or have never raced at Antigua Sailing Week (ASW) – what's different you ask and why should you come?
Well for the last three years all of the racing has been based out of Falmouth and English Harbours. That means you head straight from the calm harbours into deep water and consistent trade winds. For 2014 we will laid additional deep water marks and may add more for 2015, providing more variety to the courses including more reaching legs. Having no destination racing as was done in the past means we avoid wind holes and anchoring in dangerous swells, and logistically ASW is now a dream. Each night you can walk to the after race events (apart from one night when you get a 10 minute taxi ride to Shirley Heights) and therefore it's only a few staggers down the road to reach home.
As for the racing, each class races for an average of 3 to 4 hours daily, with courses adjusted each morning for weather conditions. With options of more than than 30 courses available daily, depending upon those conditions, you are guaranteed great sailing.
Once back on dry land, our sailing centre is at Antigua Yacht Club and each afternoon at 5 pm (except the last day at 4pm) we have a daily prize giving at which we award 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in class for that day's racing. Copious amounts of English Harbour 5 Year Old Rum can be won along with other fantastic prizes. and with two great restaurants and a beer garden on site, post race analysis, cold beer and a bite to eat are the perfect after-race wind down. New for 2015 will be a shuttle running between Nelson's Dockyard and Antigua Yacht Club so no more long walks in the sun between venues.
Into the evening of course there are still more than 25 great bars and restaurants in English Harbour only steps away from the docks, and on some of the big nights we have parties in Nelson's Dockyard, at Shirley Heights and on Lay Day at Pigeon Beach.
The main thing to remember is our strapline which we live and breathe - Where Sailing Comes First! The race management is spot on, protests tend to be minimal and dealt with efficiently, and we listen to what you have to say and incorporate as much as we can into the following year's event.
Of course the parties are still legendary, and should you want some, you will have lots of options for fun.
Looking for a Charter?
If you want to race at Antigua Sailing Week and don't have a crew to race with or have a crew and no boat be sure to check out our charter options on the website here www.sailingweek.com/v4/race-charters
Royal Southern Yacht Club Inter-Yacht Club Challenge
The Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble, UK has issued a challenge to yacht clubs worldwide to come to Antigua Sailing Week 2015 and compete in the Inter-Yacht Club Challenge. The Rules can be found here www.sailingweek.com/v4/competitors/royal-southern-yacht-club-challenge on the right hand side of the page. Join us and take up the Challenge.
Results, pictures, video and more can be found at www.sailingweek.com