Heating up at Antigua Sailing Week
by Louay Habib 1 May 14:34 NZST
27 April - 3 May 2024
Tuesday, April 30: Racing at Antigua Sailing Week goes past the halfway mark on Day 3 for Citizenship By Investment Unit Race Day. The warm trade winds continued to build, with a south easterly gradient breeze piping up to 15 knots. Squall activity early in the day caused some big shifts, mixing it up for the 88 boat international fleet.
The CSA Racing Classes duked it out on short, sharp, windward leeward courses off Windward Beach. Sir Hugh Bailey's Farr 45 Rebel (ANT) had a red hot day with two bullets in CSA 1, moving up the big boat rankings to just three point off the leader, after a race win by Woody Cullen's Swan 58 Wavewalker (USA). The close racing was exemplified in CSA 3 by a tie for first after CSA time correction between Chris Wood's Swan 48 Assuage (GBR) and Michel Ngo's J/133 Credit Mutuel Jivaro (FRA).
Congratulations to all of the provisional Class Winners on Citizenship By Investment Unit Race Day: Rebel, Wavewalker, Sang Neuf, Clippers Ship Doub 6, Pepsi Zéro-Montebello, Assuage, Credit Mutuel Jivaro, McFly on El Ocaso, Strada Geothermal Escapado, Caccia alla Volpe, Madness, Jigsaw, Absolute Properties Blue Peter, Braque-KH+P, Lunatic Fringe Island Time, Nevis KH+P, Noble KH+P, Jabberwock, and Donna.
On the Rendezvous Course the Bareboats enjoyed a course including the deep water mark Old Road. The Maxi Club Class enjoyed a stunning coastal course including Curtains, the closest mark to the spectacular Cades Reef. Today's race victory in CSA Club Class Max went to Thierry Bergerault's XP-50 Madness (FRA). However, Two Swan 65s are battling it out at the top of the class. Matthias Maus' Alpha Centauri of London (GER) and Juerg Schneider's Saida (SUI) are both from the design board of Sparkman & Stephens and launched in 1973. Saida is Hull #5 and Alpha Centauri #7. Saida leads the CSA Club Class Max by two points from Alpha Centauri of London.
"At Antigua Sailing Week, especially today, we had a very nice match race with Alpha Centauri," commented Juerg Schneider. "At the start we were on starboard and they were on port, but I didn't want to risk any damage. With these boats you cannot take too many risks. The first two legs were really fantastic, we were tacking together until Alpha Centauri had a sail issue and we got ahead. On the helm of Saida it is amazing, so light, and it is like she is on rails, an incredible feeling."
CSA Club Class Modern is proving to be a very tight contest. Sebastian Gylling's Swan 51 Eira (FIN) leads the class, but Ian Galbraith's Oyster 53 Jigsaw (SCO) was today's race winner, pushing Jigsaw up to second for the regatta on countback from Jon Constantine's Feeling 39 Imagine of Falmouth (GBR). Germaine Williams' Harmony 52 Sao Jorge is also in the mix in fourth.
Ian Galbraith's Jigsaw has been coming to Antigua Sailing Week for many years. Jigsaw is often the first boat to enter and the team are also often the first out on the dance floor. "We sailed the boat well today and the course suited us more than previous days. We are delighted with the win," commented Ian. "It is always good to win a bottle of English Harbour Rum and we will celebrate on Pigeon Point Beach on Lay Day tomorrow!"
In the One Design Bareboat 3 Class, Helmut Haas' Dufour 460 Nevis KH+P (GER) leads the class, but a fourth place today has reduced their advantage. Alex Pfeiffer racing Dufour 460 Culebra KH+P (GER) is just two points behind the leader. Dobler Ulrich's Dufour 460 Albatross KH+P (GER) is third.
Just two RS Elites are match racing their way through Antigua Sailing Week. Justin Scott's Donna (USA) and Robbie Ferron's Team Budget Marine Oozlumbird (SMX). Weighing at over 1000kg when the three crew are on board, and sporting a huge roached mainsail, the 7.4 metre keelboat with a symmetrical spinnaker can be likened to a mini-America's Cup boat from year's gone by.
Race Officer for the RS Elites is Paul Jackson who is enjoying the close match race immensely. "The fight to win the pin, starting on port, picking the lift under the cliffs - it's great racing!" commented Jackson.
Tonight, thousands of revellers will be at the 13th edition of Reggae in the Park, with top acts from Antigua and Jamaica performing live at Dow's Hill, English Harbour. Headlining is Jamaican reggae star Sanchez. DJ Illist will open the concert, featuring trending Antiguan talent: Steel Band Hells Gate, party-band 1761, Drastic, and the wonderful Kenne Blessin. DJ Exorcist will keep the party going by spinning tunes between acts.
Racing at Antigua Sailing Week takes a break to recover from Reggae in the Park. On Wednesday, Lay Day on Pigeon Point Beach will be full of fun, including RS Feva Racing, Tug 'o War and more, plus DJs, pop-up bars and grills.
For more information about Antigua Sailing Week including racing, watching the action and the fun-packed shoreside entertainment, visit the official website: sailingweek.com
Follow on social media: #antiguasailingweek #ASW55 #racechasecelebrate #asw2024