March 2025 – Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua
Superyacht Challenge Antigua | Race Three
The final race of the series was held in superb Caribbean sunshine and a brisk 15 – 17 knots from the east. PRO Hank Stuart and the SYCA Race Committee chose an 21NM course with seven long legs at every point of sail. The magnificent superyachts paid two visits to the deep water mark Stan, named after SYCA founder Stan Pearson, who sailed on last year. The final race produced very close racing with the first three boats crossing the finish line with a five minute period.
Buccaneers
The Buccaneers were keen as mustard to start the last race of the regatta. Don Macpherson’s Swan 90 Freya, captained by Joph Carter, was just one second behind the line for the best start of the entire regatta. Oyster 885 Karibu captained by Williams Dovey was just five seconds off the starting gun and Swan 90 Hummingbird, captained by Josh Hill was only seven seconds shy of the line. John McMonigall’s Oyster 82 Zig Zag was over eager and called OCS for a starting penalty.
Don Macpherson’s Swan 90 Freya, captained by Joph Carter, took line honours and was the winner of Race three by nearly four minutes from Swan 90 Hummingbird with Oyster 885 Karibu third and Oyster 82 Zig Zag fourth.
Corsairs
The 121ft (37m) Dykstra sloop Action, captained by Angus Fuller was once again the best starter in the Corsairs, just ten seconds behind the line and went on to win the race after ORCsy time correction. Action finished the Superyacht Challenge Antigua undefeated with a perfect scoreline. Second for Race three was the 148ft (45m) Dubois sloop Gitana captained by Greg Wilson. The 98’ 5” (30m) Dubois sloop Nostromo co-captained by Ed Handasyde-Dick and Justin Blackmore was third.
Privateers
The German Frers 140ft (42m) ketch Rebecca, captained by Seumas Meharg was just six seconds behind the line as the starting gun went off. However there was no stopping the 182ft (55.5m) Dykstra schooner Adela, Captained by Greg Perkins. Adela scored their third race bullet by nearly six minutes after ORCsy time correction to record a perfect hat-trick of wins. The Frers ketch Rebecca was second in Race three with the 148ft (45m) Dubois ketch Catalina, captained by Sean Whitney, taking third for the race.
The 14th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua will come to a close with the Prizegiving to be held on the lawn of the Admiral’s Inn, Nelson’s Dockyard on Saturday 09 March. Rum Barrels, suitably filled, will be awarded for the 2025 Superyacht Challenge racing.
The Superyacht Challenge Antigua is not just a regatta but a celebration of sailing and there were also prizes for the famous Cook Off, the charity Paddleboard Competition, the zany Caribbean Night, the Pendennis Trophy and of course the winner of the Gosnell Trophy. Winners will be revealed on Monday 10th of March
Gallery and lead image: Tim Wright / www.photoaction.com
