Antigua Sailing Week 2026 - Day 3
by Meredith Glacken / Antigua Sailing Week 26 Apr 14:45 BST
22-26 April 2026
Antigua Sailing Week racers and ralliers began their third day of sailing at Diamond Bank, hoisting colorful downwind sails in 9 kts of southeasterly breeze after departing Jumby Bay. Boats tracked along the north coast before heading south toward destination Ffryes Beach.
Alongside the fleet, spectators aboard the regatta's Chase the Race Boat from Wadadli Cats enjoyed drinks and sandwiches as they motored out beyond the reef to watch the racing action at the windward mark. Visitor from New York, Sylvester Gardine said that after looking for things to do in Antigua, he started following the daily race results, later booking a spot on the 60-foot twin-hull catamaran so that he could watch the racing himself. A non-sailor, Gardine said the sport wasn't on his radar until this week. "I can't get enough of it now," he said. "Sailing definitely has my attention."
Even the rally cruisers got into the spectating fun. Marc Jenkins on Perseverance and his crewmates set sail early so they could watch the spinnaker start. The Beneteau 46 spent the day hugging the coastline, where they found consistent breeze along with other thrilling sights. "We kept close to shore and got a look at Black Pearl, which was special," Jenkins said of the 107-meter sailing yacht anchored outside of St. John's.
It was right around noon that the wind stalled out for racers in all classes. Some sailors ogled Black Pearl's 3 carbon articulating masts through binoculars, while others made use of the time to discover some of the little luxuries aboard their own charters.
"We found an ice mold that made spheres perfect for the scotch we got into while we sat in the wind hole," said Jamie Blunden of Life of Riley III. "We've got A/C and electric winches too, and a washing machine that hikes harder than we do."
Dijon Browne aboard rally cruiser Nahoon, said his crew also broke into stores of the good stuff while waiting for the wind to fill in. "We left with five bottles of champagne and arrived at Ffryes Beach with two," he laughed. "I'd call that a good day on the water."
While conditions were especially frustrating for racers like Rubens' Fons Verhaegen who'd had eyes on making it a moving day, the helmsman said he and his crew made the most of the afternoon by still crossing the finish line, even after the time limit had expired. "I'm with my buddies, you know? Of course, we had a good time," he said, adding, "It was full engine to the party as soon as we passed the committee boat."
For racers who finished when the breeze returned, it was a slow and steady beat to the finish, where water taxi drivers Collin, Shaquan, and Shaquille aboard Ship2Shore's Typhoon Express waited to bring thirsty sailors to the Heineken happy hour for an ice-cold beer at the shoreside Riddim & Tides Festival.
Standing in the surf, Kali sailor Dave Taylor watched the sunset alongside wife Christine. "Another incredible day," he said simply of his boat's third straight bullet in CSA Class 1.
After the daily prize-giving, it was time for sailors and visitors to enjoy the vibrant beach party and to let loose in the sand. With DJs, a superb live band and impromptu entertainment setting the mood, hungry sailors enjoyed the lobster tails, ribs, jerk chicken, and goat water on offer from local vendors, as they sipped ice-cold Heinekens at the water's edge.
The blend of sailing, music, beach vibes, and island flavours made it an unforgettable afternoon and evening for the ASW fleet on day three of their four-day island circumnavigation. As MC Ibis wrapped the night's entertainment, the chirp of frogs and crickets took the place of international beats, singing sailors to sleep at anchor and signaling the end of another day on the water well sailed, celebrated, and lived.
The final day of racing and cruising promises 10-12 kts of forecast wind, predicted to hold until the finish. Sailors will start their final leg from Ffryes Bay at 10:30 AM and set course for English Harbour where closing happy hour, prize-giving and party await at Nelson's Dockyard to celebrate the end of the 57th Antigua Sailing Week.
For all the news and images of the day, please visit sailingweek.com.
Full results here