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Fun in the Sun
o u n t l e s s t i m e - h o n o re d traditions weave their way through the fabric of each Hamptons summer, but every now and then a young event takes its place on the stage and anchors itself for what is sure to be summers to come. Entering only its second year, the Antigua Barbuda Hamptons Challenge, a regatta in the waters off Sag Harbor in Shelter Island Sound, has already become the premiere sailing event on the East End. “It is a sailing event like n o o t h e r, ” s a y s A n t i g u a Ba r b u d a To u r i s m Mi n i s t e r John Maginley. “ The prize, the location in the Hamptons, and that it welcomes almost anyone.” Almost anyone. That inflatable kayak in the back of your SUV isn’t going to cut it here, but you needn’t be an America’s
Cup qualifier, either. Little guys have more than a shot, since the regatta uses Performance Handicap Racing Fleet, a handicapping system that allows boats of different classes to compete against one another. And what they are competing for goes well beyond a shiny piece of hardware for the trophy case. The winners—the captain plus up to six crew members— will be flown to the Caribbean next year to compete in the prestigious 2014 Antigua Sailing We e k . T h e f l i g h t s , a c c o m modations, entry fees, even a yacht, are the spoils slated for the victors. “Instead of just winning a trophy and having bragging rights in the region,” says Maginley, “they get to go sail in a major regatta…in the Caribbean…in the wintertime.” When Maginley and Captains Guide magazine publisher Rob Roden conceived of the Antigua-Barbuda Hamptons
Challenge two years ago, they dreamt of a race that would promote East End sailing and the sailing haven that is the Caribbean country. What they have now is the only regatta in the Hamptons in the summertime. Jim Ryan, the vice commodore of the Peconic Bay Sailing Association and champion of the first Antigua Barbuda Hamptons Challenge, sees this year’s event growing exponentially, from the 25 original boats to perhaps three times that number. “It’s going to ramp up sailing on the East End dramatically. This is going to be a Hamptons event like the Hampton Classic. This is something people are going to want to be a part of.” SP The 2013 Antigua-Barbuda Hamptons Challenge is August 17. Find more information at antiguabarbudahamptonschallenge.com.
HAMPTON LADY W E S A I L E V E RY D AY AT 7 A M
Call for Fishing Trips & Charter Information
• EVENING SAILS AVAILABLE •
60 foot 49 passenger USCG Inspected Fishing Boat
FA M I LY F I S H I N G
363 Dune Road, Hampton Bays
(631) 521-3366 DansPapers.com
•
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