Louay Habib Caribbean blog: Back to Blighty after Antigua Sailing Week
by Louay Habib 5 May 2014 09:05 BST
26 April - 2 May 2014
Antigua Sailing Week was the first international yachting regatta to be held in the Caribbean. Back in the late 60s, The Nicholson family had a yacht charter business based in Antigua and 'Race Week' as it was called then, was the big party at the end of a busy season, where the yacht skippers, their crew and friends could have one big drink up with racing thrown in before they went there own separate ways.
Over the years Antigua Sailing Week developed into a much more high profile event, attracting the big racing yachts and the number of yachts competing and the flavour of the regatta changed to 250 yachts with a lot of professional racing crew. Winning at Antigua Sailing Week became a rich prize. The regatta lost its way somewhat at the strat of the 21st century and a double whammy of worldwide recession and the collapse of Stanford International in 2010, caused massive unemployment and loss of savings to many people in Antigua. For the last few editions, Antigua Sailing Week has attracted about 100 entries but these days it has become extremely well run both on the water and ashore.
Fast forward to 2014, Antigua Sailing Week attracted sailors from 23 different countries with 30% racing Bareboat Charters and many more sailors 'paying to play' through skippered race charter boats. Roughly half of the entrants were charter guests and many more sailors were invited out by friends to take part but a significant number of yachts are now local boats crewed by people who live in the Caribbean.
The vibe at this year's regatta was fantastic, personally I have been coming here for 14 years and I can not remember a more enjoyable regatta. The weather was perfect; warm Trade Wind sailing in caribbean swell is a normal heaven for Antigua but the wind speed was in the 15-17 knot range most of the time. Enough to give thrilling fast action but also to allow wind shifts to make the racing tactically challenging. The standard of racing across all the classes was the best I have seen this season in the Caribbean. Several classes were decided by seconds in the last race and the standard of boat handling, right across the board, was as good as any club class regatta, anywhere.
Ashore, after every race day, a daily prize giving was well attended on the lawn of the Antigua Yacht Club. This allowed crews to mingle after racing with a few drinks before heading off for a shower and a crew dinner. The big night out was before Lay Day, Shaggy is a big international star and to be honest Antigua Sailing Week was punching well above their weight to host the concert. However, English Harbour Rum took the gamble on covering the cost and with over 3000 tickets sold, the Antiguan Rum company got a great marketing opportunity for little cost.
Lay Day followed on Pigeon Beach and hundreds of sailors enjoyed the day off. Nonsuch Bay Resort pulled out all the stops; a fantastic BBQ cooked by Mitchell Husbands (2012 Caribbean Chef of the Year) was snapped up by many at just EC$ 40 (£10). Whilst most of the competitors lazed away the day on the beach. The Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Challenge had 8 teams vying for a week's stay at the luxury resort. The quality of the teams was first class; Nic Bol, 2010 J/22 World Champion, Jono Swain, multiple Volvo's, TP52 and Farr 40 titles. But it was World Match Racing Champion and America's Cup winner, Peter Holmburg who stole the show, with a magnificent display to win the final. It was interesting to see that three of the four teams that made the final contained Caribbean sailors, Holmberg is himself from the Virgin Islands.
Antigua & Barbuda have had sailing in their national curriculum for several years now, over 200 youngsters receive free sailing lessons. Antiguan, Shannon Falcone was on the boat for Team Oracle USA for the 'Cup and it came to Antigua for Sailing Week. Antigua is re-developing its sailing culture both through ex-pats that live here and through local youth initiatives like their Sailing Academy and Shannon Falcone's Lift Project.
All the regatta's in the Caribbean are different, what sets Antigua Sailing Week apart from the rest?
It is extremely well organised both in terms of race management and shoreside entertainment. This has become possible through the Regatta Organising Committee, which was set up three years ago. Kathy Lammers and Alison Sly-Adams work tirelessly to make Antigua Sailing Week a great success on and off the water and it has taken a few years for that to mature and I can say without a doubt, Antigua Sailing Week is a much better regatta because of their efforts.
In a few days, I will leave the Caribbean and head back home and it will be with mixed feelings. I absolutely love the Caribbean lifestyle and avoiding the British winter! But spending time with my family will be a priority now. I hope you have enjoyed the Caribbean Blog. If you would like any information about any Caribbean regattas, feel free to contact me through the YachtsandYachting.com forum.