2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta
Day by Day SCHEDULE
Schedule is subject to change, check the board in the event center
Tuesday 15th April
Early Registration 10:00– 16:00 Registration for the Single Handed Race and Concours d’Elegance in the ACYR Event Center Office.
Single Handed Race Registration - Show off your individual sailing skills on this simple triangle course just off English Harbour. Crew can be used to assist hoisting/lowering sails but must leave the yacht before the start, with the exception of one observer for safety reasons. The use of auto-helms is discouraged, and if used must be declared. We are also looking for yachts prepared to take photographers out (as a 3rd person).
Full details of all race & shore events will be available.
Concours d’Elegance Registration - We welcome and encourage yachts that are entered in the Regatta and maintained to a high standard to enter the Concours d’Elégance Competition. Judging will take place from 13:00 - 17:00 Wednesday, April 17th. There are divisions for Traditional, Spirit of Tradition, Classic and Vintage. There are two categories: Professionally maintained and Owner maintained.
Wednesday 16th April
Registration 09:00– 16:00
Registration will be from 09:00 to 16:00. Full details of all race & shore events will be available.
9:00 Single Handed Skippers Meeting
Meet at the flagpole, waterside of the Event Center.
11:00 Single-Handed Race
Concours d’Elégance – Judging 13:00 - 17:00
Skippers Meeting 17:00
Meet on the lawn at the steps waterside of the Event Center
Welcome Party - 18:00-20:00
Come and meet your fellow participants and enjoy the start of the Regatta at the beautiful Boom Restaurant for cocktails and canapés. There is a water taxi available at The Admiral’s Inn Dock to take you back and forth or enjoy a walk or drive up to Boom. Wristbands are required to be worn for entry.
After the party, head over to the Pillars Restaurant at the Admiral’s Inn for their delicious Caribbean Night menu with live entertainment.
Thursday 17th April
10:00am Race 1
17:30-18:30 Perfect Storm Happy Hour – Followed by Caribbean Night 18:00 - 23:00
Free Perfect Storm Cocktails & Red Stripe Beer with your wristbands at the capstans. Cash bar also available followed by an exciting Caribbean Night. Come dance to the music, be amazed by the fire dancer, stilt walkers DJ and much more!
Delicious BBQ at the capstains as well as yummy food at the Hot Spot Cafe and Galley Bar.
Friday 18th April
10:00 Race 2
18:00 - 19:00 Happy Hour
Come enjoy free English Harbour Cocktails & Red Stripe Beer at the capstans with your wristband, cash bar also available. In addition to photos from the day, a short classic film from the 70s about Ticonderoga will play.
Afterwards check out the Classics Menu at Copper & Lumber’s Seafood Friday.
All events take place in Historic Nelson’s
CLASSICS TEAM
STEERING COMMITTEE
Paul Deeth
Robin Stout
Chris Mansfield
ADMINISTRATION
Chairman - Paul Deeth
Regatta Coordinator - Robin Stout
MEDIA/PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ginny Field
Mike Stout
RACING
Race Coordinator - Chris Mansfield
Race Committee - Paul Deeth
Richard Archer
International Judge - David Pelling
Single-Handed Race- Tim Wall
Tim & Caroline DeGarve
COMMITTEE BOAT
Race Officer - Chris Mansfield
Timekeeper - Anne Morcom
Radio - Mike Rose
Flags - Tim & Caroline DeGarve
Horn & Recorder - Pam Mansfield
Spotters - Helen Brayley & Rob
Ambler
SUPPORT
Antigua Yacht Club - Karl James, Nehesia Nicholas-Gore & AYC Team
Marks - Rowan "Archie" Bailey
Paramedics - ABSAR
Safety Patrol - Antigua & Barbuda
Coast Guard
Dockage - NPA, Nelson's Dockyard Marina, Island Provisions
WEBMASTER
COMMITTEE BOATS
Kim Paternoster AND A SEA OF VOLUNTEERS!
A huge thank you to the owner, captain and crew of Marie, the committee boat for the 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta! And to Jade, the committee boat for the Single Handed Race
Saharet of Tyre
by Mike Stout
In the world of classic yachting, few names command the respect and admiration of Camper and Nicholson. Renowned for their impeccable craftsmanship and pioneering designs, this historic shipyard has produced some of the finest vessels to grace the seas. Among their masterpieces stands Saharet of Tyre, a magnificent 114 foot Bermudian rigged ketch launched in 1933. She continues to captivate everyone who lays eyes on her nine decades later. The 1930s were a golden age for yacht building, with designers and shipyards competing to craft vessels that combined luxury, speed, and elegance. Commissioned by American art collector Harold Parsons, Saharet of Tyre is a reflection of Camper and Nicholson’s expertise and commitment to innovation. Built of teak on steel frames in Gosport in England, the yacht features sleek lines and an elegant profile that makes her instantly recognizable. She was designed to withstand the rigors of ocean travel while providing unparalleled comfort for her passengers. Parsons told Charles E. Nicholson he wanted a graceful and pleasing craft with limited draft for cruising the Mediterranean in search of art and antiquities. After the meeting Nicholson drew up plans for an auxiliary ketch with a canoe hull. When Nicholson cabled asking what color was desired for the bulkheads. Parsons replied “examine the kernel of a pistachio nut” but deferred to Nicholson’s wife’s judgment on the question of whether the lavatory towels should have loops or holes. The interior is a marvel of opulence and sophistication. Lavishly appointed with polished wood paneling, plush furnishings, and adorned with photos of classic yachts, she has the ambiance of the grand ocean liners of times past with spacious salons, elegant dining areas and beveled glass cabinets in the stunning lower salon.
She was named Saharet after a Vaudeville dancer who gained fame in the late 1890s by combining her onstage audacity with a risque element. Her first summer was spent cruising France and the south coast of the UK, taking in the yacht racing at Cowes Week where Britannia, Shamrock V and Velsheda battled on the water. The following year Saharet cruised the Baltic calling on Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark and venturing as far as Leningrad. Parsons moved Saharet to the Mediterranean in 1937 where she would remain for over eighty years. In 1950 he sold her to an Italian “industrialist” who changed her name to Lily. By the 1980s she was showing her age when a wealthy Lebanese purchased her in Malta. He wanted to rename her Saharet but the name had been taken so he added a reference to a city in Lebanon and christened her Saharet of Tyre. A rebuild was undertaken in 1986 and she was stripped down to bare frames and rebuilt from the keel up. Wiring, plumbing and accommodations were all new. Subsequent major refits occurred in 1998 and in 2013/2014 as she continued to be updated and maintained both technically and aesthetically to the highest standard possible.
Luc had long dreamed of crossing the Atlantic on a classic yacht and purchased Saharet in Malta 2019. After spending several years getting the boat ready he sailed her out of the Med and across the Atlantic. Saharet made her first appearance at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta in 2024, then headed down island for the Grenadines and Bequia. She headed for Columbia just days before Hurricane Beryl hit. She called on the ABCs, Santa Marta and Cartagena before heading for Panama’s San Blas islands. They bashed back to the eastern Caribbean last fall and have spent the season cruising the Eastern Caribbean Island chain. She’s back for the 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta where she’ll be a beauty to behold.
2025 Entries to Date
Athena
Arro
Arro is Mark Cann’s 37 foot Falmouth Working Boat. Originally called ‘Truro River Oyster Dredging Boats’ they took their name from the occupation they were used for and the area in which it took place. Falmouth Working Boat is a relatively new term. Many are now used solely for racing and outfitted with modern sails. Mark started constructing Arro in 1997 using the Canadian folded method, with 5mm steel. Despite construction in a leaky shed in Porkellis, Cornwall, Mark persevered and launched her in 2004.
Athena is Jill Jinks’ Southwest Harbor Maine based, Hinckley Sou’wester 59. She’s a cutter-rig, center cockpit cruiser designed by McCurdy & Rhodes and built by Henry R. Hinckley & Company. Jill bought her in 2017 after losing a beloved vessel in Hurricane Irma while on the hard in the BVI. She wanted a sturdy vessel that could be used in the Northeastern US as well as the Caribbean and chose Athena saying there was “60 feet for 60 years” to celebrate a notable birthday. She plans to remain a regular Winter/Spring guest in the Caribbean and return to Maine each May. She sailed in her first Antigua Classic Regatta in 2024 and we hope she’ll be a regular for years to come.
Charm III
Caccia alla Volpe
Caccia alla Volpe is Carlo Falcone’s Vallicelli designed 44 foot sloop. Built in Italy by Bani boatyard using marine plywood she was launched in 1978. She crossed the Atlantic in 1984 and has become a legend on the racecourse in the Caribbean. This is her first Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Charm III, Richard and Maryse West’s Anguilla based schooner, was built in Sweden in 1928 using the design for John Alden’s fabled schooner, Malabar V. Richard purchased her in 1980 near Plymouth, England, brought her to the Caribbean and soon discovered that a complete rebuild was needed. She was hauled out on Sandy Ground Beach in Anguilla where a sixteen year rebuild slowly progressed using traditional methods and materials that ensured she retained her historical charm while being adapted for competitive racing and cruising. Relaunched in 2000 she’s been plying the Caribbean ever since and is a fixture at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Charm III was the overall winner in 2003 and has multiple class wins to her name, including winning the schooner class in 2024. Her success isn’t limited to the race course. She’s also a six time winner in the Concours d'Elegance, won the Spirit of the Regatta-Seashore trophy in 2012 and the John Leader trophy in 2013.
Cornubia
Cornubia is Josh Danziger’s 52 foot Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter. She was built in 1911 in Cornwall and christened with the Roman name for Cornwall, Cornubia. Originally used to pilot ships in and out of Barry on the Bristol Channel, she’s has had a succession of owners over the years including yachting author Tom Cunliffe who penned the book ‘Topsail and Battleaxe’ that chronicles his family’s journey aboard Cornubia from Norway to Newfoundland. After a survey in the 1990s revealed serious structural problems she was laid up in a mud berth for several years before the Tallships Restoration Company purchased her in 1999. When launched after the rebuild only eleven of the original timbers were still in place. However, one was the 1911 beam carving of her official number and tonnage and the original brass and copper shield of the Cornwall coat of arms is still mounted on the saloon bulkhead. Josh has refitted her for ocean sailing and she’s crossed the Atlantic this season where she’ll be in Nelson’s Dockyard for her first Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Cricket
Cricket is local sailing legend Sandy Mair’s Antigua based, Beneteau First 35. She was designed in 1978 by Jean Berret, the Beneteau house designer at that time and launched in 1981 in Greece. She spent the first 15 years of life as a day charter boat in Greece and was then bought by an American couple around 1996. They cruised the Med before crossing the Atlantic in 2004 and sailed the Caribbean until 2011. That’s when Sandy bought her. Since then Cricket has been a regular at regattas throughout the Caribbean. Although some may say it’s Sandy who’s the classic and not the boat this will be Cricket’s third Classic Regatta.
Ellamia
DC Camp is Deon Hector’s Antigua based Niagara 35. She was designed by Mark Ellis and built in 1979 by Hinterhoeller Yachts in Ontario Canada as a cruising boat. Deon bought the boat from a wonderful Canadian couple who had sailed her in and around Lake Ontario before setting their sights on Caribbean where they ended up selling the boat. This will be the third Classic Regatta for Deon and DC Camp.
Ellamia is Pablo Pireńack’s Antigua based Westsail 32. She was designed in 1971 by famous Southern California naval architect William Crealock who said he based the hull design on the double-ended pilot and rescue boats designed by Colin Archer for use in the extreme conditions of the North Sea. The Westsail 32 was put into production in 1972 and around 830 were built before the last one was launched in 1981. They are very heavily constructed making them fantastic cruising boats that have completed many circumnavigations but the trade off is that they often aren’t the fastest boats around the race course. Ellamia has a long history in Antigua as she was previously owned by Keith Outram, who was famous for growing hydroponic vegetables. Pablo, an experienced single-handed sailor is back again in 2025 for his second Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Encore
Freya of Midgard
Encore is Jerry Bardoe’s Antigua Based, Contention 33. Designed by prolific naval architect Doug Peterson, the yacht was built to compete in the IOR ¾ ton class. She was built in 1978 by Southern Ocean Shipyards in Poole, UK but has been based in Antigua all her life. After being hit by a large tender, she was restored by Jerry who owns Chippy, known for their exquisite yacht carpentry and who is a long time and valued sponsor of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Among his many trips to the podium Jerry sailed Encore to a class win in the 2022 Classic Regatta.
Freya is Don Ward’s 47 foot custom sloop. She was designed by Bill Dixon and built by Graham Collingwood Boatbuilders in 2003. She has a classic topside and interior but wood epoxy construction with carbon spars and foam cored interior joinery. She is superb going upwind and did very well racing in the Med for her previous owner, the late, great Philippe Fabre, with wins at the Voiles d’Antibes and Regates Royales. Inside, she boasts an exquisite Edwardian interior, with a flowery porcelain head and washbasin, mahogany wall cabinets containing crystal decanters & glasses and an antique stove, used once a year to heat soup. This will be her sixth Classic Regatta. She’s always competitive but 2023 was a great year for Freya at the Classic Regatta. She took home a first in the Spirit of Tradition Concours d’Elégance as well as winning every race on the way to a class win.
Genesis is award winning filmmaker and author Alexis Andrew’s 42-foot Carriacou Sloop. Designed and built by Alwyn Enoe on the beach in Carriacou, she was launched just in time to sail to Antigua for the 2005 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and she’s sailed in every one since. We’re guessing that Alexis must have added a trophy room to his house for all the hardware he’s collected at the Classic Regatta. He was the winner of the 1st Kenny Coombs Memorial Trophy in 2014, then won it again in 2015 as well as taking the Traditional Class Concourse d'Elegance that year. He’s done well out on the race course as well with eleven class wins, including the last four years in a row. His film, Vanishing Sail which documents Alwyn Enoe’s building of Exodus in Windward, Carriacou is a must see for every sailor.
Juniper is Stephen Gilbert’s Lord Nelson 41. The traditional full-keel design, solid construction, and timeless aesthetics make Lord Nelson Cutters a highly regarded yacht by seasoned sailors that is known for seaworthiness and ease of handling. Built by Ocean Eagle Yachts in Taiwan she was launched in 1987. Originally she was the private yacht of Loren and Lani Hart, the founders and owners of Lord Nelson’s Yachts who christened her Lady Nelson. Stephen purchased her in 2016 and changed her home port to Santa Fe, New Mexico. She may be the only ocean going yacht with a home port that is at 7,000 feet elevation in the southern Rocky Mountains. Stephen has lived aboard for six years and sailed her from Portland Maine as far south as Antigua. He spends the Winter enjoying Antiguan waters and summertime heads to Annapolis. This is her second Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Juno
Juno is a magnificent 65' custom schooner designed by Nat Benjamin and built at the renowned Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway Annex in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts. Launched in 2003, Juno is the largest yacht ever built by Gannon and Benjamin. Her double-planked hull and double-sawn frames, crafted from selectively harvested tropical hardwoods from Surinam, ensure both strength and elegance. With a teak deck and custom bronze fittings, every detail of Juno speaks to her timeless beauty and unparalleled craftsmanship. But Juno is more than just a sight to behold—she’s a formidable competitor on the racecourse. With her shapely forefoot, short overhangs, and long waterline, she delivers speed and performance to match her regal presence. A regular on the podium at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Juno took first overall in the Classics Class in 2008 and has claimed victory in the Schooner Class an impressive nine times, most recently in 2023.
Magellan
Magellan is Terry Dixon’s 1979, Antigua based, CT41 ketch. Magellan underwent a major, two year refit in the hands of her previous owner, renowned local shipwright and local sailing legend, Peter Smith who then single handed sailed her up and down the island chain. Terry bought her in 2022 and Magellan has continued to be much loved and cared for. This will be her first Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Milagro
Milagro is Robert Madsen’s William Garden designed ketch. Built in Japan and launched in 1965. She had five previous owners and was in very poor condition when Robert purchased her in 2001. His Seattle based company, Robert Madsen Design, took the boat down to an empty hull for a complete restoration. She was relaunched in 2009 and sailed extensively in the Pacific Northwest before heading for warmer climes in 2019. She was caught in hurricane Raymond off the coast of Baja, Mexico but the boat proved her worth as she handled 50 knot winds and balanced
itself perfectly with jib and jigger all day and night. After getting stuck in Costa Rica and then Panama during COVID, she went through the canal and headed for the US Virgin Islands then down to her current base in Grenada. This will be her first Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Mistral
Mistral is Odd Nordhal-Hansen’s Herreshoff designed schooner. She was built in 1938 by the Britt Brothers Yard in Saugus, Massachusetts for Theodore W. Little. She’s had a series of owners over the years including patrolling for U-Boats off the east coast in World War II and a stint as a training ship for the U.S. Navy, logging thousands of ocean miles a year. Dieter Krügel purchased her in 1995 and commissioned Jack Tar Marine near Lunenburg, Nova Scotia for a major rebuild. After the refit Dieter sailed her back to Germany where Mistral was sailed in regattas in the Baltic and North Seas as well as making multiple Atlantic crossings. A second refit was begun in 2007 in Germany where major hull and deck work as well as a beautiful restoration of the interior completed. Current owner Odd Nordhal-Hansen purchased her in 2018 and relocated her to Norway before crossing the Atlantic where she sailed in the 2023 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Navasana
Navasana is Aidan Mccauley’s 40 foot Carriacou Sloop. She was built by legendary boat builder Alwyn Enoe using traditional methods and materials on Windward Beach in Carriacou. She was launched in 2008 and has graced the Antigua Classic Regatta many times under her previous name “Ocean Nomad”. She had fallen into disrepair when Aidan purchased her and he turned to Andrew Robinson and Woodstock Boatbuilders for a major refit in 2023 that took this forgotten beauty and re-imagined her as Navasana. Woodstock’s restoration stayed true to traditions and she was adorned with a sculpted transom board and mermaids on the bow by famous BVI artist Aragorn making her a true work of art. With her new name and beautiful restoration complete she debuted her new look at the 2023 Antigua Classic Regatta winning the Woodstock Trophy for best restoration of a classic boat. This will be the boat’s 11th Classic Regatta.
New Moon is Billy Gernertt and Charlotte Hooijdonk’s Antigua based, 31 foot Carriacou Sloop. Built by Bernard Compton in Carriacou using traditional methods and locally harvested wood, she was launched in 2010. Billy and Charlotte bought New Moon in 2018 and moved her to Antigua where they started the West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation, a non-profit that provides Antiguan youth with a path to maritime careers while instilling lifelong respect for their culture and a sense of stewardship for the ocean. They’ve become regulars on the podium at the awards ceremony at the Classic Regatta where they’ve taken home the John Leader Trophy as the most respected yacht and the Seahorse Studios Trophy for exemplifying the spirit of the regatta. New Moon has also won the Concours d’Elégance for traditional boats for three years running. She’s instantly recognizable out on the water with her bright blue and orange paint and sails with a crew of young Antiguan sail trainees who are the captains and crews of the future.
New Moon
Rita
Rhea is a veteran of multiple Antigua Classic Yacht Regattas. Purpose built as a charter boat, she was designed by KlausRöder (Carpe Diem Yacht Design) and built by the Turkish shipyard Ark Yacht. Launched in 2017 she is 157 feet on deck and 177 feet overall. Her classic Bermuda Ketch rig was conceptualized and designed by Klaas Huizinga. The 10,764 square feet of sail area gives her very good sailing performance, her teak and mahogany finish provideing a classic look. She’s been a regular at the Classic Regatta since 2018.
Rita is Tommy Patterson’s Antigua based, Yachting World Diamond. In 1958 the editors of Yachting World Magazine proposed a high-performance sailing yacht that could be built cheaply from modern materials that were then entering common use. Definitive plans for the multi chine, planing yacht were drawn up by Jack Holt. Rita she was built in 1963 by Bristol Aircraft and shipped to the Caribbean where she sailed in Antigua Sailing Week back in the late 60s. She was moved to Antigua around 1975 and was badly damaged when Hurricane Luis hit in 1995. Tommy bought her in her damaged state shortly after the storm and the boat sat on a trailer until 2017 when Sir Hugh Bailey restored her at his boatyard in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua. She’s still in great shape and back for her fifth Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Last year she won the small boat division in the Single Handed race with Antiguan Emily Gaillard at the helm.
Saharet of Tyre
Saharet of Tyre is Luc de Clercq’s 114 foot, Bermudian ketch. Launched in 1933, she was designed by Charles E. Nicholson and built of teak on steel frames at Camper & Nicholson’s Gosport shipyard in England. Her original owner was Harold Woodbury Parsons, an American art and antique collector who named her Saharet after a Vaudeville dancer who gained fame in the late 1890s. She’s a beauty inside and out. Her interior features period polished walnut and teak with beveled glass cabinets in the stunning lower salon. Meticulously maintained to the highest standards she’s had multiple major refits through her life. Luc purchased her in Malta in 2019 and brought her across the Atlantic to fulfill a lifelong dream of sailing a classic yacht to the Caribbean. She participated in last year’s Classic Regatta and her classic lines will slice through the sea again in the 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Summer Cloud
Summer Cloud is a West Indian Sloop owned by Andrew Robinson, of Woodstock Boatbuilders, a longtime and valued sponsor of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. She was built in Petit Martinique in 1995 by Baldwin De Roche. Andrew found her in St. Bart’s in Gustavia Harbour in 2010. She was on the verge of sinking when Andrew bought her and brought her back to life. She was restored and modified and Andrew helmed Summer Cloud to class wins at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta in both 2010 and 2012. However, in recent years the boat began to show her age and a decision was made to return to her roots. Summer Cloud underwent an extensive rebuild that preserved her authenticity while embracing modern standards of safety and comfort at Sammy’s Boatyard in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua. She’s back in 2025 for her ninth Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Team Budget Marine Bunglebird
Bunglebird Is Robbie Ferron’s Nonsuch 33. Designed by Mark Ellis and built in Canada, the Nonsuch 33 has a cat rig with an unstayed mast placed well forward on the boat and a wishbone boom which creates very substantial accommodation space, much greater than what would be with a mast more centrally positioned. Bunglebird was part of a successful charter fleet in Sint Maarten in the 1980s operated by Robbie Ferron and long time Antigua Classics race officer Alfred Koolen. She lost her mast in Hurricane Irma in 2017 but was repaired and Robbie sailed her to a class win in the 2023 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
The Blue Peter
The Blue Peter is Matt Barker’s 65 foot, Marconi cutter. Built in the U.K. in 1930, and named after the ‘P’ flag used as the preparatory signal before starting a race, she has been fast since the day she was launched, winning over fifty races sailing out of The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham-on-Crouch during the 1930s and 1940s. After the war, she had three different Italian owners and was a permanent fixture at the Mediterranean regattas for many years, even winning a few of them. Matt bought her in the Med in 1999 and spent three years restoring her to her former glory. She crossed the Atlantic in 2012 and ever since The Blue Peter spends the summers sailing in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket and the winters sailing the Caribbean. She’s a veteran of multiple Antigua Classic Yacht Regattas with four class wins to her credit, but her biggest win came in last year’s Classic Regatta when she finished first overall.
Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga of Greenwich is Scott Frantz’s legendary 72 foot ketch. The Mighty Ti is a vessel of unrivaled beauty and timeless style. She was designed by L. Francis Herreshoff and built at the Quincy Adams Boatyard in Massachusetts in 1936 for Harry Noyes. During construction Noyes, who owned the yard, made many modifications, butting heads with Herreshoff so many times that he either wasn’t invited or didn’t attend the launching. One thing has been a constant since she was launched, her success in ocean racing. She won important races and set many course records in the Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean and Mediterranean into the 1970s. In the 1965 Transpac she set a course record for elapsed time in the greatest duel in Transpac history, crossing the finish line of the 2,200 mile course from Los Angeles to Honolulu just over five minutes ahead of Dutch yachtsman, Cornelius Bruynzeel’s, Stormvogel. She’s been a regular at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta for many years with multiple class wins to her credit.
Valiant
Valiant is Charlotte Rousselot’s 1971 C&C 50 Prototype custom Phantom. Built by Cuthbertson and Cassian Yachts she’s had multiple owners and names through the years including Ensign, Mufusa - Phantom, Roulette, Wandelaar and Windancer. This will be her first Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Zig Zag
Zig Zag is the irrepressible John McMonigall’s Oyster 82. Captained by long time skipper Carl Raynes she’ll be sailing in her first Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Hertmitage
Late Entries
The stunning, 102 foot Hermitage is one of the last remaining large schooners from the heyday of the Alden design office. Launched in 1929 from the Thomaston, Maine yard of C.A. Morse (now Lyman-Morse) she’s had multiple owners over the years and has been known as Queen Tyi, Sea Gypsy and Summer Wind before being recently christened as Hermitage. She raced and cruised the waters of New England for many years and patrolled for German submarines in World War II. By the 1980’s she was chartering in the Mediterranean and was showing her age in 2006 when a two year rebuild began. She was almost entirely re-planked, her internal structure was either restored or replaced and her engineering systems and sailing rig updated. After the rebuild she spent several years as a sail training vessel for the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation. Recently relocated to Antigua we’re excited to see her sail in her first Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Lady B
Lady B is legendary Antiguan sailor, Sir Franklin Braithwaite’s Serendipity 43. Franklin is the owner of the English Harbour sail maker and Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta sponsor, A&F Sails. He has a long pedigree in Antigua sailing going way back. He represented Antigua and Barbuda in the Finn event at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and was a long time commodore of the Antigua Yacht
Club. In 2014 he was awarded the title of Grand Officer Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage (GOH) for “distinguished contribution to sailing and community development” and in 2023 he was presented with the Member of the British Empire (MBE) award. Franklin bought Lady B in 2018 and she also has a long and distinguished career racing in Antigua. Previously named Red Baron and UGO she had her finest moments as Titan when Tom Hill sailed her to first overall in Antigua Sailing Week in 1987 and 1990. Franklin has probably lost count of how many times he’s sailed in the Classic Regatta but this will be Lady B’s first time.
Scotch Mist
Nomad
Nomad is Steve Varrow’s Alden 50, a heavy displacement, center cockpit, offshore cruiser. She was designed by Niels C. Helleberg and built by Alden Yachts in Bristol RI. Steve is the current Commodore of the West End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands and is often found sailing up and down the island chain. The boat is a regular on the BVI regatta scene. This is Nomad’s first Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
Scotch Mist is Andrew Atkinson’s Harmon 60. With her classic lines she won the most beautiful boat in the 2024 ARC+ and she’s fast, making the crossing from Mindelo in the Cape Verde Islands to Grenada in just over 14 days. We’re very happy to have her for her first time in the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
The challenge to watch was between the two black schooners, Aschanti and Columbia. The Gruber-designed, Bermudan-rigged staysail schooner Aschanti was built in 1954, and Columbia, a gaff-rigged replica of the original Grand Banks Fisherman, was built in 2009. Try as he might, Columbia’s skipper, Seth Salzmann, could not best Aschanti’s ability to work to windward.
“Columbia’s large main will drive her faster on the downwind legs,” Seth said. “We just couldn’t catch and pass Aschanti. The downwind legs were not long enough. We never had enough time to beat her to the next mark.”
On Saturday, winds remained east but down to 18-25 knots. Swells from the previous day’s winds continued, so it was another wet race around the buoys for all crews. On Sunday, winds and seas were still east but down to a comfortable 15-18 knots. The fleet sailed a course outside Falmouth and English harbors, a pleasant romp in moderate seas.
That evening, some 300 owners, crews, organizers, volunteers, and sponsors gathered at Lucky Eddie’s event arena for the prize giving and congratulations. Admiral Tommy Paterson, the yacht club marina manager, presided (in period uniform), as winning crews gathered onstage to receive their awards, and the applause of their fellow classic yacht sailors.
There was a time when you could arrive in English Harbor, walk the docks, and find yourself crewing aboard a large schooner, racing all day, partying most of the night, then falling asleep on sail bags on deck at night. Romantic as that sounds, today there are many more options for getting in on the action at the Classic Yacht Regatta.
If you’re cruising on your own classic boat in the Caribbean, you can enter the Classic Regatta. Sarah Schelbert, a solo sailor from Germany, now living on her boat in Carriacou, entered her 36-foot, Alan Gurney-designed sloop, Alani in the Classic after restoring the boat and sailing her across the Caribbean sea from Guatemala. It was Sarah’s first-ever regatta, racing with a novice crew of friends and relatives. She won her class.There’s a crew request and availability board on their website, and there’s a bulletin board at Race Headquarters where sailors and skippers communicate. Or you can do it the old-fashioned way: walk the docks asking if anybody needs crew. There’s no better way to get involved than to just plunge-in. I’ve met dozens of young sailors from Europe, the UK and the US at Pineapple House in English Harbour. It’s a B&B cottage colony on the hillside above the Yacht Club. PH run by Libby Nicholson, from the same Nicholson family that started the yacht chartering craze in the Caribbean in the 50s. A sailor herself, Libby rents beds in the “Crew’s Quarters” for $60 a night. It’s in the early evening that yacht captains crews, and sailors, and those looking to crew, gather to sample Libby’s famous rum punch, tells stories and swap lies.
I met Rich Sims, a solo sailor from the U.K. at Pineapple House. He’d just sailed into English Harbor on his own boat looking to crew on one of the large Classic boats. Rowing his dinghy ashore one morning before the race, he passed Aschanti’s bow and hailed a crew member who referred him to the skipper. Rich talked his way into a job for three days minding one of the running backstays. For many of the crews I’ve met, they got their start in this world of yacht racing in Antigua.
David H. Lyman is a sailing photojournalist who has covered New England and the Caribbean.
History of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta
The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta has a rich history that reflects the deep-seated passion for classic yacht sailing, maritime heritage, and the enduring beauty of traditional boat design. The event has become a cornerstone of the international sailing calendar, attracting participants and enthusiasts from around the world. It wasn’t always that way. However, it did start with a bang, a bang on the table that is. Jane Coombs recalls an evening in 1986 when three schooner captains met for their customary sunset rum in Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour, Antigua. Captain Uli Pruesse the irrepressible German master of Aschanti of Saba, then one of the largest sailing yachts in the world at 114 feet, planted the seed when he suddenly banged his fist on the table in excitement setting the rum glasses jumping and declared that what Antigua needed was a schooner race! As the sun went down and glasses were filled yet again, the idea was brandished about in earnest. Tony Fincham, owner of the Antigua based, ferro cement schooner, New Freedom proposed that perhaps his annual Tall Ships Race to Guadeloupe could be built on. Kenny Coombs, captain of the restored New York 40, Vixen II thought schooners alone would be too limiting and it should be open to all traditional craft. By the end of the evening they had settled on the concept of a Classic Yacht Regatta to be held prior to Antigua Sailing Week in mid April.
The inaugural Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta was held in 1987. The legendary Jol Byerley, a veteran classic sailor came onboard with much sage advice and ex Whitbread sailor Julian Gildersleeve helped shape the event into a bona fide regatta held under the auspices of the Antigua Yacht Club. The Regatta became an event that celebrated the elegance and craftsmanship of classic yachts and the camaraderie of those who sailed them. Initially, the race was from Antigua to Guadeloupe. “Those first few years a dozen or so yachts would set off on a roaring reach only to find they invariably ran out of wind several miles from the finish line down in Guadeloupe due to the enormous wind shadow of such a lofty island! Customs and Immigration also posed a problem for a party ashore so we all partied in style on the elegant committee boat, Kalisma” Jane Coombs recalled. By 1991 the decision was made to change the format to a series of races off the south coast of Antigua. The beginnings may have been humble but the enthusiasm and love for these timeless vessels laid the foundation for what would become a renowned sailing event.
Over the years, the regatta grew in both scale and reputation but has always kept the spirit of traditional yacht racing. The picturesque harbors and clear, blue waters of Antigua provided an ideal backdrop for showcasing classic yachts and the event began attracting more participants and spectators thanks in large part to long time chairman Kenny Coombs, who became the driving force behind the regatta. Kenny worked tirelessly promoting and organizing the regatta and was the ideal ambassador for the event. Under Kenny’s leadership sailors and boat enthusiasts from various corners of the globe started marking their calendars for this unique celebration of maritime history. As the event grew it became a dazzling display of maritime elegance and competitive spirit, where a fleet of meticulously maintained classic yachts graced the Caribbean waters in a symphony of sails. Against the
backdrop of Antigua’s stunning coastline, these vintage vessels, adorned with billowing canvas, engaged in exhilarating races, showcasing both the timeless beauty of their designs and the skill of their crews. The regatta’s atmosphere crackles with anticipation before the starting gun as sleek hulls slice through the azure waves, propelled by the wind’s graceful dance. The event not only celebrates the rich heritage of classic yacht design but also fosters a camaraderie among sailors and enthusiasts who share a passion for preserving the artistry of seafaring history.
However, the spectacular sailing wasn’t the only thing that kept people coming back year after year. Kenny never lost sight of the fact that fun was an essential ingredient. “I recall the year a giant blow-up rum bottle was stolen from the Yacht Club roof and rigged on the fore deck of one of our prominent yachts for the start of the race and I suspect that Kenny might have had a hand in that.”
Jane Coombs told us. Participants and spectators alike also fall in love with the onshore activities. The Cream Tea, Gig racing, open mic night and parade of sail create an intimate and inclusive atmosphere that binds the seafaring community together. Most importantly, everyone who attends the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta goes home with unforgettable memories. Sir Franklyn Braithwaite, owner of A&F Sails said “I have done many local, regional and international regattas but none comes close to the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. The beauty and radiance of the boats, the gentlemanly attitude from the sailors and the comradeship, thought quite competitive, make this a special event. My most enjoyable moment was sailing with Alexis and crew aboard the Petite Martinique built traditional sloop, Summer Cloud.” For Jane Coombs her most unforgettable moment was reaching at hull speed for the Curtain Bluff mark in her 26 foot, 1937 Harrison Butler sloop, Cora, sandwiched between the mighty J’s Shamrock and Endeavour. “I thought it best to just pick a tree on the shore and steer as straight as I possibly could and not look around. I will never forget the thunderous sound of them passing though.”
As the regatta gained recognition, it became a platform not only for showcasing the beauty of classic yachts but also for promoting the preservation and restoration of these historic vessels. The event’s commitment to authenticity and adherence to the spirit of traditional yacht racing contributed to its appeal among sailors who cherished the artistry of bygone eras. As the regatta continued to evolve, it gained international acclaim as one of the premier events in the classic yacht racing circuit. The allure of warm Caribbean waters, coupled with the regatta’s commitment to preserving nautical traditions and maintaining a spirit of camaraderie, attracted a diverse fleet of classic yachts.
Today, the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta stands as a testament to the enduring passion for classic yacht sailing. The event continues to attract a mix of seasoned sailors, boat owners, and enthusiasts who gather to celebrate the elegance, history, and camaraderie associated with classic yachting. The regatta remains a highlight of the sailing calendar and will be preserving and promoting the legacy of classic yachts for generations to come.
National Parks Celebrates 40 Years
In 2024, Antigua and Barbuda commemorated a significant milestone: the 40th anniversary of its National Parks system. This celebration not only highlighted four decades of dedicated preservation but also underscored the nation's commitment to protecting its rich natural and cultural heritage.
Established in 1984, the Antigua and Barbuda National Parks Authority embarked on a mission to safeguard the islands' unique landscapes, historical sites, and biodiversity. Over the years, this commitment has borne fruit, transforming the parks into symbols of national pride and global recognition. The 40th anniversary served as a testament to these efforts, celebrating the balance between conservation and community engagement.
At the heart of the celebrations was Nelson's Dockyard National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its Georgian naval architecture and scenic beauty. Visitors can explore the meticulously restored dockyard, which once served as a strategic base for the British Navy during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, it stands as a living museum, offering insights into the maritime history of the Caribbean.
Another highlight is Devil's Bridge National Park, home to a natural limestone arch sculpted by the relentless Atlantic waves. This geological wonder is not only a photographer's dream but also a site of cultural significance, with ties to the island's indigenous and colonial past. The park's rugged beauty and historical narratives make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
Half Moon Bay National Park offers pristine beaches framed by lush vegetation and turquoise waters. This coastal haven provides a tranquil escape for those seeking sun, sea, and serenity. The bay's crescent shape and gentle waves make it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and picnicking, embodying the quintessential Caribbean beach experience.
The ever popular Shirley Heights was named after Sir Thomas Shirley, Governor of the Leeward Islands, who strengthened Antigua’s defenses in 1781. This high point (about 490 ft.) affords a superb view of English and Falmouth Harbours, the best view in Antigua. The view is spectacular, especially at sunset and early evening when all of English Harbour is all lit up.
The celebrations were not just about reflecting on the past but also about engaging the community in envisioning the future. Events such as "Rum in the Ruins" combined cultural festivities with educational tours, fostering a deeper connection between locals and their heritage. These initiatives aim to inspire the next generation to continue the legacy of conservation and appreciation for the nation's natural treasures.
Antigua and Barbuda's commitment to preserving its national parks has garnered international acclaim. The islands' efforts align with global conservation goals, contributing to biodiversity protection and sustainable tourism. As the world faces environmental challenges, the nation's dedication serves as a beacon of hope and a model for integrating cultural heritage with ecological stewardship.
As Antigua and Barbuda celebrate this 40-year milestone, the focus shifts toward the future. Plans are underway to expand conservation areas, enhance visitor experiences, and integrate more communityled initiatives. The National Parks Authority envisions a future where preservation efforts harmoniously coexist with sustainable development, ensuring that these natural and historical treasures endure for generations to come.
The 40th anniversary of Antigua and Barbuda's National Parks is more than a celebration; it's a reaffirmation of the nation's dedication to preserving its unique identity. Through continuous efforts in conservation, education, and community involvement, the islands stand as a testament to what can be achieved when a nation commits to honoring and protecting its heritage.
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