Top-level racing and Caribbean spirit cement modernised Antigua Sailing Week as instant classic
by Meredith Glacken / Antigua Sailing Week 28 Apr 19:13 BST
22-26 April 2026
Crews from around the world enjoyed sailing to a different anchorage every night as they circumnavigated Antigua © Tim Wright / Photoaction.com
Antigua Sailing Week 2026 delivered a regatta defined by variety, resilience, and tight contests, as sailing crews navigated everything from Atlantic swell to light conditions over four days of competition around the island.
This year's reimagined fleet format brought together sailors from across the globe, blending fun and competitive racing with rally cruising. President of Antigua Sailing Week Alison Sly-Adams said the goal of the week was simple - capitalise on the island's natural beauty in signature point-to-point courses bookended with lively shoreside events.
A week that tested every gear
The regatta began with moderate trade winds as the fleet set off from English Harbour towards Green Island on Day One, settling into a rhythm on a course that put on a show of Antigua's spectacular coastal views. On shore, the Barefoot on the Beach rendezvous, hosted by Falmouth Ocean Club, gave sailors a relaxed close to the opening day, setting the tone for the week's unique mix of competition and camaraderie.
Day Two introduced more challenge. Varying breeze and the presence of the North Swell offered up tactical tests to sailors across both the racing and cruising fleets. Racing boats that maintained focus on that second day began to establish early leads, though standings remained tight across multiple classes, with sailors finishing the day on the Northeast coast of Antigua at island destination The Hut at Little Jumby.
On Day Three, lighter winds compressed the fleet and emphasis shifted toward balance and patience, with many crews taking advantage of the light air to crack open cold Heinekens and enjoy each other's company on the water. Gains in the racing fleet were incremental while cruisers had a chance to sun and swim before heading to the Heineken Riddim and Tides Beach Festival at Ffryes Beach.
The fourth and final day delivered stunning breeze for the homeward leg from the west coast of Antigua back toward English Harbour. Racing boats enjoyed a sporty upwind beat in the final miles, while the cruising fleet embraced a more relaxed pace, rounding the island in true Caribbean style and stopping at beaches and scenic areas.
Celebration in Nelson's Dockyard
The final prize-giving took place in view of the centuries old Fort Berkeley Gunpowder Magazine and Guard House on the bluff due south and the wave-battered limestone Pillars of Hercules to the southeast. In the historic stone surroundings of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, competitors gathered to polish off the remaining English Harbour Rum and listen to the 17-61° band's mix of Caribbean and classic rock hits.
Class winners were presented with trophies and prizes, recognising performances across the fleet, while organisers extended thanks to sponsors, partners, and the more than 50 volunteers whose efforts made the event possible.
Racing Results HERE
Special acknowledgment was extended to the crew of Kali, who were at the heart of the week's camaraderie and competition. Led by Great Lakes skipper Chuck Bayer and racing under the name Kermode-Grizzly, the team showed up on the water with resolve and a special chemistry. The boat emerged early as the racing standout of the week, securing both corrected and line honours in CSA Class 1 on all 4 days and ultimately earning Antigua Sailing Week's top overall prize, the Lord Nelson Trophy.
"This is like a once in a lifetime thing," said Bayer. "Just looking at some of the boats named on this trophy, being alongside them is a huge honour."
In CSA Racing Class 2, the determined and perpetually quick-to-smile Dutchmen aboard Contigo Team HI-1, secured four straight first-place finishes that were marked by tough daily competition within their class. However, skipper Rien van der Post joked that the crew's most treasured victory came on the final day.
"We were most happy to beat Race Committee to the finish line," van der Post laughed, joined by tactician Gerrit van Loo who added, "That was the first time ever for us!"
CSA Racing Class 3 saw Bernie Evan-Wong's High Tension rise to the top, also amid fierce competition within his class all week long. Wong said his crew showed focus under pressure in both favourable and challenging conditions. He recalled the steady crew work that set them up to pursue daring final-day tactics that left little room for error, but ultimately paid dividends.
"We did a lot of upwind sailing. Our strong point is off the wind, so we really had to work hard," Wong said. "On the last day, we managed to stay on the edge of a squall, play the shifts, and then tack out at just the right moment, and in the end, that's what made all the difference."
Meanwhile, in the Multihull CSA Class, co-owner of Condor 40 Troika, Samuel Masterman praised the week's weather conditions, new format, and course setup.
"We had two to three crew on board, depending on the day and it was a mix of racers and non-racers," Masterman said. "The way the courses were set up meant that everyone was able to have a good time whether they had a lot of experience or only a little."
Special awards and standout contributions
On top of class honours, several special trophies were awarded to individuals and teams who helped define the spirit of Antigua Sailing Week 2026.
The Jan Santos Trophy was presented to Neal Charles, a quiet but ever-present force behind the scenes whose tireless work and willingness to help underpinned the smooth delivery of the event.
The Caribbean Sailing Association Travellers Trophy was awarded to Apollo owner Donald Nicholson, recognising his consistent participation across the regional circuit. In the Race Charter division, Katy Campbell's Panacea X took home top honours for a second year in a row.
Youth development was also celebrated, with Ashley Joshua receiving the Youth Trophy after returning to race aboard Eira, having progressed through the Youth to Keel programme in previous years' events.
The Women's Trophy was awarded to Sanne Bast of Illios, whose commitment both on and off the water - from welcoming visiting media to contributing to the restoration and racing of her boat - captured the collaborative spirit of the regatta.
List of Prizewinners & Special Awards HERE
The new Antigua Sailing Week
The reimagined Antigua Sailing Week held to the event's long reputation for delivering top racing in an unmatched setting and cemented it as a contemporary classic - modernised for a blended racing and cruising fleet while still rich with heritage. From shifting winds and ocean swell to light-air duels and decisive final races, the week offered every kind of sailing. Camaraderie ashore and spirit of the fleet, too, remained central to the experience.
"Antigua Sailing Week is about the people and the broader Antigua community just as much as it's about the racing and cruising," said Marketing & Race Logistics Manager Rana-Jamila Lewis. "This year showcased the very best of both."
Stories of the 2026 event - close finishes, changing conditions, and shared moments - added another fun chapter to the legacy of Antigua Sailing Week.
Save the date for next year's event - 21st to 25th April 2027.
For more information, visit: sailingweek.com