Varied fleet on the water for the Jolly Harbour Valentines Regatta

The entry list for the Jolly Harbour Valentine's Regatta is shaping up nicely © Jolly Harbour Valentine's Regatta 2013

The entry list for the Jolly Harbour Valentine's Regatta is shaping up nicely. There are currently 17 online entries and a total of close to 30 boats have indicated their intention to participate.

The Laser Picos are booking up quickly with a fleet that currently numbers 10 boats. They will be raced by a combination of youth and adult sailors from Antigua Yacht Club and Jolly Harbour residents. The Pico racing will take place on Saturday and Sunday and each day will be scored separately, in addition to overall scoring for the two-day event. There are still several Picos available so even if you're only free on one day, there's no excuse not to get out on the water!

There are two confirmed International Dragon entries but rumour has it there may be two additional boats in the Dragon fleet. That will provide some exciting boat for boat racing action. A couple of other interesting smaller boats are also in the line-up including a Piper 24 and a classic-style 28-foot Folkboat along with the ever-competitive 6-Meter, Biwi Magic.

And of course there is the remainder of the racing/cruising fleet which includes local regulars such as Hightide, Fiesta, High Tension and Elethea. Following on their success in the recent Round the Island Race, Antigua Yacht Club's youth sailors will join the racing fleet in the Cork 1720, Digicel Challenger. Puerto Rico's Beneteau First 40 Smile and Wave will be arriving in Antigua soon and may put a crew together to race. Two or three Carriacou sloops and at least one catamaran will also participate, adding an interesting dimension to the racing.

Throw into the mix a few cruisers that have promised join the on-the-water fun and there will be a varied and exciting line-up of about 30 boats for the 20th Anniversary of the Jolly Harbour Valentine's Regatta and the first ever Rum Festival.

Up for grabs for competing skippers are some fantastic prizes from our sponsors including: from Budget Marine a Magma Marine Kettle, a Garmin handheld GPS and an Airhead Towable Tube; from Jolly Harbour Marina an EC $1,000 voucher towards any boatyard services; from HBK Villas a 3 night stay in a Jolly Harbour villa; and from Outdoor World Yamaha a Yamaha EF1000iS 1,000 watt inverter generator.

All skippers will receive bags containing lots of goodies including one official regatta t-shirt for every crew member donated by Sea Hawk Paints, El-Dorado Rum, and merchandise from Outdoor World Yamaha, Budget Marine and Jolly Harbour Marina in addition to a 10% discount voucher for all crew meals eaten at Jolly Harbour's Crow's Nest Restaurant during the regatta.

If you haven't yet entered, it's not too late. Visit www.jollyharbourregatta.com to submit your online entry today.