Please select your home edition
Edition
Ocean Safety 2023 - New Identity - LEADERBOARD

2019 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta: Single-handed race and Sea Shanties!

by Louay Habib 19 Apr 2019 14:14 BST 17-23 April 2019
1957 S&S 52' yawl Mah Jong , skippered by Alex Goldhill - Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2019 © ED Whiting Photographer from the blue

The Twentieth edition of the Single-Handed Race took place on the eve of Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, sponsored by LOCMAN. Four days of full fleet racing at Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta will start tomorrow April 19.

Eleven stunning examples of classic yachts took part in a stand-alone race lasting just over one hour along the dramatic south coast of Antigua. With moderate trade wind conditions of 14-16 knots, and a relatively smooth sea state, perfect conditions prevailed for the almost unique phenomenon of racing classic yachts single-handed.

Race Officer Tim Wall set a short course with a reaching start, inside Falmouth Harbour, followed by a short beat to a mark just off English Harbour, then a longer downwind leg to Turtle Bay, a beat back to Falmouth Harbour and a reaching finish. Skippers raced solo without the use of auto-pilot, but were allowed an observer on board, who could not participate in sailing.

Don Ward's Dykstra 44 Willpower took line honours in the Spirit of Tradition Class but after time correction was third. Tanner Jones racing the 1963 Jack Holt 28' sloop Rita was second, and the winner was Geoffrey Pidduck's 1989 Six Metre Biwi Magic, sailed by Tony Sayer.

Tanner Jones and Tony Sayer were sharing a drink at the Carib Bar after racing. "We go back a long way, and are good mates, so we were racing against each other but really we were enjoying a great time on the water," commented Tony Sayer. "Great fun but Rita is a complex boat, so I am glad we will have a full crew for 'classics," commented Tanner Jones. "My two children, who are eight and ten, will be joining us for a few races, and they are great sailors already, 'Classics is sure to be a lot of fun for them as well." continued Tanner.

The 1957 S&S 52' yawl Mah Jong, skippered by Alex Goldhill, took line honours for the Large Classics, and was the winner after time correction. Steve Frary's 1997 Herreshoff 58' ketch Arrluuk was second. Christoph von Reibnitz's 1936 59' Henry Gruber yawl Peter von Seestermuehe was third.

"We often sail Mah Jong short handed, just me and the mate, but I have never raced her single handed before," commented Alex Goldhill, "The boat is quite easy to sail once the missen is down, because everything else is led to the cockpit. I have to say the start was a moment to remember, with all three boats reaching over the top of each other, my heart was in my mouth. Mr Illderton, the owner of Mah Jong, won the race last year, so it was nice to keep up the tradition. The plan for Mah Jong for 'classics is not to break anything, have fun, and sail the boat as well as she deserves." continued Alex Goldhill, who grew up in Carriacou, Grenada but is now based in Martha's Vineyard, Mass., the home port for Mah Jong.

Oliver Greensmith skippered the 1936 A&R 41' Seefalke II to victory in the Small Classic Class. Oliver had his brother Giles on board as an observer. "Oliver lives in Antigua with his family, and we are having a big reunion in Antigua, we have flown in from the UK and South Africa," commented Giles Greensmith. "Oliver did not get a good start, as we were last to the first mark, but got back in the lead on the downwind leg. At the finish Lazy Leg was to windward, and beat Seefalke over the line by a few seconds. I will be racing with the team for 'classics on the bow, I am a little nervous but it's a really experienced crew."

Juerg Zimmermann's 1969 yawl Lazy Leg, designed by Bill Tripp, took line honours for the Small Classics but was second after time correction. The 1986 Burgess 42' sloop Morgaine, skippered by Guido Schotman, was third. Guido was resplendent in a Caribbean style suit at the prize giving, and was enjoying the night with his crew. "We have just crossed the Atlantic together and now we are at 'classics, which is just fantastic!" smiled Guido as he raised a glass with the whole team.

The fun doesn't stop after racing at Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, the Sea Shanty Competition was in full swing on the lawn of the Antigua Yacht Club, with crews taking to the stage for their ad-lib performances, assisted by the odd tot of Mount Gay Rum! Sea Shanties were commonly sung to accompany labour on board large merchant sailing vessels. However by the end of the 19th century, steam-powered ships took away the practical function. At Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, this tradition is very much alive. Check out the Regatta's Facebook page for evidence!

For more information: www.antiguaclassics.com

Related Articles

2026 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - Save the date
The premier classic sailing event of the Caribbean The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta is the premier classic sailing event of the Caribbean attracting a large number of Classics every year from all around the world. Posted on 4 May
2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta overall
A spectacular end to a great regatta The 36th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta came to a successful close on Monday with tasty cream teas, fiercely competitive gig racing and the prize-giving ceremony in the historic 18th century Nelson's Dockyard. Posted on 22 Apr
2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Day 4
The weather kept us guessing The last day of racing at Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta started with no wind and grey skies resulting in the Race Officer postponing for an hour. Posted on 21 Apr
2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Day 3
Another gorgeous day The third day of racing at Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta enjoyed slightly less wind than yesterday but still a wonderful 8-12 knot easterly breeze and flat seas giving the racing fleet a chance to fly all their sails. Posted on 19 Apr
2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Day 2
It couldn't have been better The second day of racing at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta continued with perfect 12-15 knot trade easterly trade winds, it really couldn't have been better sailing conditions. Posted on 19 Apr
2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Day 1
Caribbean Sailing at its finest The first full fleet day of racing started at the 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta with the finest of Caribbean sailing conditions. Posted on 17 Apr
Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - The Classics begin
A record entry of twelve boats signed up for the Single Handed Race held this morning The 36th annual Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta started today with clear blue skies and a 15-18 knot easterly breeze. Posted on 17 Apr
Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta excitement building
The Sailing Instructions and course charts are now online We're pleased to let you know that the Sailing Instructions and course charts for the 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta are now posted on our website. Posted on 10 Apr
Official program for Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta
The release of the official program for the 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta We are thrilled to announce the release of the official program for the 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, taking place from April 16th to 21st. Posted on 3 Apr
Register for 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta
Beat the deadline and save before the March 1st increase Registration fees for the 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta increase on March 1st. Save yourself some money by registering and completing your payment by February, 28th before the rates go up! Posted on 16 Feb