The organisers of Antigua Sailing Week are pleased to announce that the Notice of Race for the 50th Antigua Sailing Week to be held from April 29 through May 5, 2017 is now available. The 50th Antigua Sailing Week will feature the top-quality, professionally managed racing that competitors have become accustomed to over the years, and Race Officers Stuart Childerley and Stephen Parry will once again be part of the team ensuring that nothing less is delivered on the water.
Racing will feature a variety of courses designed to suit the many different types of boats and classes expected in 2017. The 50th Antigua Sailing Week is an important event on the calendars of many sailors around the world based on the expressions of interest that have been pouring in and the 67 boats that have already submitted their online entries. It is therefore anticipated that entry numbers will grow considerably over recent years, allowing competitive and fair classes to be developed for all types of boats including cutting edge racers, sport boats, ocean racers, multihulls, cruising boats, bareboats and one-design classes.
For those less serious racers who don’t want to miss an opportunity to participate in the 50th Antigua Sailing Week, organisers have created a Club Class which will have a reduced entry fee, only one race per day with no discard and ratings adjusted daily as necessary to ensure a level playing field.
Kathy Lammers, Chairman of the Regatta Organising Committee is excited about how things are shaping up for the 50th Antigua Sailing Week: ‘We’ve had so many sailors contact us to say they wouldn’t miss the 50th Antigua Sailing Week – both international sailors and those from across the Caribbean region, many of whom participated on a regular basis in years gone by. Plans are falling into place and we guarantee exciting racing with something for everyone so no one has to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of 50 years of yacht racing in Antigua.’
Here in Antigua sailing legend Sir Hugh Bailey, winner of the 2016 Lord Nelson Trophy, is also excited about the event: ‘I raced in the first Antigua Sailing Week in 1968 as one of the founders of the regatta and have participated almost every year since. To win the 50th Antigua Sailing Week would be a major milestone for me. I’d like to invite all the sailors I’ve raced against in previous years and even those I haven’t, to come to Antigua next year and provide some great competition. It’s going to be an outstanding week and Team Ugo is up for the challenge.’
Yacht shipping company Peters & May has signed a new two-year sponsorship agreement with Antigua Sailing Week and is now title sponsor of the Peters & May Round Antigua Race. The 54-nautical mile race course anti-clockwise around the island provides dramatic views of the many beautiful out-islands, peninsulas and 365 beaches while allowing teams an opportunity to hoist every sail in their inventory and test the skills of their crew in advance of the week’s racing. The race is open to all boats, whether or not participating in Antigua Sailing Week, including classic boats finishing their season following Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and boats in Antigua in advance of the Antigua to Bermuda Race starting on May 12. The first classic entry, Alfred Mylne 65 The Blue Peter, has already entered and is looking for classic competition to join him on the race course. The Notice of Race for the Peters & May Round Antigua Race is also now available.
Loz Marriott, skipper of Sir Peter Harrison’s Farr 115 Sojana, is excited about their return to Antigua after a recent refit: ‘Sojana will be returning to the magical island of Antigua to take part in the amazing 50th Antigua Sailing Week and to defend her Round Antigua Race record set in 2009. Sir Peter Harrison and the team are very much looking forward to this well organised regatta that always offers competitive racing in the crystal Caribbean waters along with great parties and local hospitality daily.’
The Notice of Race for the 50th Antigua Sailing Week can be viewed here.
The Notice of Race for the Peters & May Round Antigua Race can be viewed here.
For more information about the 50th Antigua Sailing Week visit: www.sailingweek.com.