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. Fortunuately, the clouds lifted and the winds returned enough for the race to start in a gentle breeze that peaked at 10-12 knots in flat seas. The Cannon course was modified to two roundings of the 3-mile southerly Cupples mark for the more modern boats, and only one rounding for the older yachts to ensure they all came back to the dockyard in time for the Parade of Classics.
Richard West, owner of Charm III, a very regular competitor at the classics regatta, commented “Fairly light winds, great day as usual, very well organised, we’ll come back next year, thanks for having us. I have a very good crew, I do a bit of steering and they do the sailing. Brilliant, we had a lot of fun and we’ll see you next year.”
The preliminary overall results puts Cacca alla Volpe in first place the Modern Classics A class followed by the Swan 65′ Ilios second, and Serendipity 43 Lady B third. The very competitive Modern Classics B class saw the J-30 Blue Peter come in first, Nonsuch 33 Bunglebird second and First 35 Cricket third. The 50′ ketch Petrana came first in Classic GRP class, 42′ gaff ketch Cherub second and 32′ sloop Ellamia sailed single-handedly came third. Freya was first in Spirit of Tradition class, Sou’wester Athena second and Harman 60 Scotch Mist third. Falmouth working boat Arro was first in Traditional class, Carriacou sloops Navasana second New Moon third. 65′ Sloop The Blue Peter was first in Vintage class, 59′ Bermudian yawl Peter von Seestermuehe second and Ticonderoga of Greenwich third. It was very close racing in Schooner class with Charm III coming first, Juno second and Moonbeam third. Rhea was first in Tall Ships. The results can be seen by clicking here
After racing, everyone dropped sail at the entrance of the Dockyard and paraded through the harbour with flags hoisted, crews dressed up and horns blaring. Tommy Paterson and Zoe Carlton gave an interesting running commentary of the history of these amazing yacht which was live streamed on Facebook. Our beautiful 137′ committee boat, Marie built in 1930 brought up the rear of the fleet and let off a cannon. The Steel drum band then started followed by the Rain Gutter Regatta, where each entry has thirty minutes to build a small boat then race them by blowing them down a rain gutter with all proceeds in aid of our local search and rescue charity ABSAR. The Cornish boat Arro came first.
Tomorrow brings a close to the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta with cream teas and gig racing at the Admirals Inn in the afternoon following by the prize giving ceremony and music at the Museum in the evening.
For more information please visit www.antiguaclassics.com
Email Regatta Coordinator at antiguaclassicsregatta@gmail.com