J/Teams wins 3 divisions at Antigua Week
by J/Boats 6 May 06:55 NZST
27 April - 3 May 2024
Team McFly on J/122 El Ocaso (GBR) celebrate their win - Antigua Sailing Week © Paul Wyeth / pwpictures.com
The 55th edition of Antigua Sailing Week came to its conclusion after five days of spectacular racing. Teams from over 20 different nations enjoyed one of the Caribbean's most famous regattas.
Racing at Antigua Sailing Week came to a spectacular finale with Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Race Day. Full trade winds blasted across the race area, bathed in sunshine. The 55th edition was blessed with classic conditions to decide Class Winners for the world-famous regatta.
The CSA Racing Classes raced on the exposed Windward Course with a strong southeasterly breeze. The long windward-leeward courses used the offshore mark "Shirley South" as the top mark. On the Rendezvous Course, the Bareboats, Legacy, and Club Classes enjoyed triangular courses including the offshore mark "Old Road", which provided spectacular deep water downwind action for the fleet.
Antigua has had an enviable relationship with J/Sailors for several decades. Numerous J/Teams have won both divisions and overalls over time. This year, that tradition continued. Here is a breakdown of those teams that have an opportunity to continue that tradition.
CSA 2 Division
Ranging in size from 37-42 ft, teams from five different nations fought for class honors in what has traditionally been the most competitive fleet.
In the end, it's a "four-peat" for the J/122 EL OCASO. This year it was chartered by the British team of Tony and Sally Mack, a famous sailing couple that have a J/111 McFLY they race and often win on the Solent. The Mack's crew was their hot, talented J/111 team. They podiumed every race, winning by such a wide margin they didn't sail the last race. Their scoreline included six 1sts, two 2nds, and a 3rd for 12 pts net. After 11 races, the teams could toss out two races! Don Nicholson's J/121 APOLLO ended up in fifth place.
CSA 3 Division
Ranging in size from 43-50ft, teams from six different nations were racing performance cruisers. The diverse range of boats included the ultimate division winner- Michel Ngo's J/133 CREDIT MUETUEL from France. Incredibly, their record was even better than stablemate J/122 EL OCASO/ McFLY! They also did not sail the last race! They counted eight 1st, a 2nd, and 3rd for 10.5 pts net!
CSA 5 Division
In this seven-boat division, two J/Teams managed to attain podium finishes. Winning the silver was Jean-Francois Terrien's J/109 SANG NEUF counting all podium finishes of three 1st and seven 2nds for a 15 pts net total! Hard to believe they didn't win with that scoreline! Then, taking the bronze medal was Alan Paris's J/99 LEARNING TO FLY from New Zealand!
CSA Legacy
In this "old" boat division, the past winner of her class, Carrack and Tyden Jones's J/30 ABSOLUTE PROPERTIES (BLUE PETER) repeated her outstanding performances from the past. Like their larger sisterships, the Jones's J/30 ruled the roost with an astonishing eight 1sts, two 2nds, and a 3rd for 10 pts net!
13th Reggae in the Park @ Antigua Sailing Week
Relive some of the best moments. The big party night at Antigua Sailing Week celebrated the 13th edition of "Reggae in the Park", held at a brand-new location, Dow's Hill Interpretation Centre in English Harbour. Thousands of sailors, Antiguans, and visitors to Antigua & Barbuda danced the night away to a sizzling line-up of top reggae artists, with Jamaican reggae star Sanchez headlining the night. DJ Illist opened the concert, featuring Steel Band Hell's Gate, party band 1761º, Drastic, and Kenne Blessin. DJ Exorcist kept the party going by spinning tunes between acts.
For more Antigua Sailing Week race information visit www.sailingweek.com.