First Timers Guide to Antigua Sailing Week

FROM THE 27TH OF APRIL TO 3RD OF MAY 2024, YACHTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL ARRIVE IN ANTIGUA TO PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S MAJOR SAILING EVENTS, ANTIGUA From small beginnings, this regatta has SAILING WEEK. developed over the past 50 years to

become one of the preeminent yacht racing events in the Caribbean and one of the most prestigious in the world.

The regatta attracts over 100 yachts ranging in size from 24 feet to over 100 feet with everything from state-ofthe-art, high-tech racing machines to a variety of performance cruising and cruising boats well represented.

The event begins with 52-mile, independently-scored Peters & May Round Antigua Race. This preliminary race offers an excellent training opportunity to shake out the sails for the week that follows.

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ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK ITSELF CONSISTS OF RACING OVER SIX EXCITING DAYS with a variety of strong trade windpowered courses around the buoys in the Caribbean Sea. Daily post-race social events and prize-givings are held at Antigua Yacht Club. Sailors can claim bragging rights by collecting burgees for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes each day. When the daily post-race social events wrap up, sailors, friends, and family can move on to bigger parties taking place at many locations in the area, including Shirley Heights, Nelson’s Dockyard and at Pigeon Point beach on Lay Day.

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AFTER AN ACTIONPACKED WEEK, ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK DRAWS TO A CLOSE ON FRIDAY EVENING IN ROMANTIC HISTORIC NELSON’S DOCKYARD. The final awards presentation features a large display of silverware and keeper trophies. It’s a great evening of celebration where locals join visitors dancing the night away.

On Saturday, it’s Dockyard Day. The Beating of the Retreat as the Antiguan flag is lowered signals the close of Antigua Sailing Week for yet another year. A truly fitting end to a week of exceptional racing.

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PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE FOR 2024 APR 26 Neon Rave (English Harbour Rum Party) Antigua Wingfoil Championship Day 1 APR 27 Peters & May Round Antigua Race & Prize Giving & Official ASW Opening Party Antigua Wingfoil Championship Day 2 APR 28 English Harbour Rum Race Day 1 & Prize Giving Antigua Wingfoil Championship Day 3 APR 29 Y2K Race Day 2 & Prize Giving APR 30 Race Day 3 & Prize Giving Reggae in the Park 13 MAY 1 Lay Day MAY 2 Locman Italy Women’s Race Day 4 & Prize Giving MAY 3 Race Day 5 & Prize Giving Final Prize Giving Party MAY 4 Dockyard Day in Nelson’s Dockyard

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RACING INFORMATION We offer the largest variety of racing courses from two different start areas to provide the perfect racing experience to the huge assortment of racing classes, accommodating all boat types, size, rating bands, and sail configuration.

These will be further divided if our fleet grows to over 120 boats. Find all details online at www.sailingweek.com

CLASS

TYPICAL BOAT MODEL

CSA High Performance Race Boats

Volvo 65, TP52, Melges 32

CSA Race Boats

J 122, GS43

CSA Performance Cruising Boats

First 40

CSA Cruising (Spinnaker or Jib and Main)

J 30

CSA Sport Boats

Melges 24, J70, RS 21

CSA Bareboat Charters (Jib and Main)

Club Class (daily variable rating fun racing) CSA Performance Multihull

Gunboat 66

CSA Cruising Multihull

Lagoon 45

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RACE YACHT CHARTER OPTIONS Race yacht charter options vary from single berths in all-out carbon race yachts to whole-boat racer cruisers to comfy stay-aboard bareboats and everything in between. Please refer to the website at sailingweek.com/charteroptions/ for current charter availability. The listing is continuously updated, so please check back regularly for more options. If you can’t find a boat to suit you, please email us at jaime@sailingweek.com for suggestions.

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MARINA INFORMATION Rates at all marinas listed below are in the range of approximately US $1 to US $2 per foot per day, exclusive of water and power service. Please contact the marinas directly for more specific information NELSON’S DOCKYARD MARINA info@nationalparksantigua.com

FALMOUTH HARBOUR MARINA antiguafalmar@gmail.com

Mooring in this location places you in the centre of a UNESCO Heritage world site, one of the last active Georgian boatyards in the world. It is approximately a 10-minute walk to the Antigua Yacht Club, home of the daily post-race social events and prize-givings. Complimentary shuttles are available at key times to transport you between the Dockyard and the yacht club.

Falmouth Harbour Marina is a full-service marina located only a few minutes’ walk from Antigua Yacht Club.

ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB MARINA aycmarina@candw.ag Mooring here is ideal if you want to be in the heart of Antigua Sailing Week’s activity. With the daily postrace social events and prize-givings, there will be a lot of activity in the surrounding area.

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MARINA INFORMATION

CATAMARAN MARINA info@catamaranmarina.com The Catamaran Marina is located on Falmouth Main Road and is about a five-minute drive or dinghy ride from Antigua Yacht Club. This friendly marina has a very quaint atmosphere and is an ideal location to base your yacht if you’re looking for some peace and quiet, a little bit away from the daily activities.

ANTIGUA SLIPWAY MARINA info@antiguaslipway.com Situated on the starboard side after entering English Harbour just after the fuel dock. The Antigua Slipway Marina dock in English Harbor has recently been re-conditioned. They provide water and power for up to three large motor vessels needing 380 volts, 220 volts, or 110 volts and 10 large sailing yachts in deep water.

Dock prices in Antigua are “per foot per day” based on the length overall of your vessel. The Marina’s full-service facilities offer you a

safe harbor, first class professional services, and a 20% discount at the Inn at English Harbour for owners using our Marina dock and haul out.

JOLLY HARBOUR MARINA info@jhmarina.com Jolly Harbour Marina is on the west coast of Antigua. While it is a little too far away to contemplate mooring there during racing, it is a great place to moor before and after Antigua Sailing Week. Being on the leeward side of the island, you will find stunning calm blue waters just outside the marina, perfect for practicing before the regatta.

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PROVISIONING Antigua has some of the best provisioning services in the Caribbean region. There are several small supermarkets, and local produce stands in the English/Falmouth Harbour area. The biggest and best-stocked supermarket in Antigua is known as the Epicurean and is located in St. John’s. There is a smaller but equally good branch of the Epicurean at Jolly Harbour. Below are a few pointers on where to stock up on an assortment of goods.

Fresh Produce – There are several roadside stands in the English/ Falmouth Harbour area that sell fresh produce daily. Bailey’s Supermarket in Falmouth probably has the biggest selection of fresh local produce in the area. Covent Garden usually stocks fresh berries and some more exotic imported fruits. The Cork & Basket provides some curated gourmet selections, spices, and sauces to complete your shopping list. On some Thursdays you can find a local farmers market in the village of Falmouth on the “rectory grounds”.

Meats and Fish – Meat is generally only available frozen in the English/ Falmouth Harbour area. Fresh meats are available in St. John’s at Gourmet Basket (on the way from the airport) or either Epicurean store. Fresh fish can be purchased from fishermen in the English/Falmouth Harbour area, at Ari’s Fish Shop at Antigua Yacht Club Marina, in Jolly Harbour or the Fish Market in St. John’s. Ask any of the above for lobster before May 1 after which we observe CLOSED LOBSTER SEASON. Ask at a local bar or shop to find the favorite drop off spots of local fishermen.

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PROVISIONING

Alcohol – Never in short supply, most supermarkets have a good selection. The best assortment in the English/Falmouth Harbour area is Crabhole Liquors, which has a large store on Falmouth Main Road and a smaller one in Nelson’s Dockyard.

You can call ahead and place your order for delivery or inquire about brands not stocked in the supermarket. Premier Cru located in Harbour Walk between Nelson’s Dockyard and Antigua Yacht Club, has a wide selection of fine wines and rums and can deliver to your vessel. The Cork & Basket and Dockside Liquors just steps from the AYC Marina are good choices for stocking up on wines, pantry items & gourmet selections. Both Epicurean stores and Covent Garden have an excellent selection of alcohol. You can also find locally brewed beer from Two Six Eight Brewery located on Falmouth Main Road and in many local shops.

Fresh Bread – Mauro’s Italian bakery on Falmouth Main Road has fresh baked goods daily.

Some of Mauro’s baked goods are also available at Dockside Liquors at Antigua Yacht Club Marina. Local breads and pastries are baked daily at the Dockyard Bakery and are also available at Bailey’s, Crab Hole Liquors, Covent Gardens, and Dockside Liquors. Both Epicurean stores have in-house bakeries with an excellent selection of fresh baked goods daily.

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PROVISIONING

Sandwiches & Lunches – Sandwiches and prepackaged lunches can be ordered in advance for daily racing and are available at several local providers: • Catherines Cafe - Paninis & Charcuterie

• The Cork & Basket - Coffee, deli sandwiches, charcuterie and assorted cheeses.

• HOT SPOT - Breakfasts, bacon sandwiches and sandwiches to order.

• Covent Garden - Wraps & Sandwiches

• Dockside Liquors at Antigua Yacht Club Marina - for prepacked sandwiches.

• La Brasserie at Antigua Slipway Marina - Baguette Sandwiches

• Dockyard Bakery in Nelson’s Dockyard.

• Seabreeze - For an excellent range of sandwiches, salads, and pizzas.

• Mauro’s Italian Bakery on Falmouth Main Road.

• Sauté at the 2SIX8 Brewery in Cobbs Cross - Healthy Hearty wraps.

• Roti Sue will deliver to the docks.

For more information about any aspect of Antigua vacation experiences like sightseeing, dining, beaches, activities, and things to see and do, go to www.antiguanice. com. The website has information on anything and everything you might want to know.

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ARRIVAL

BY BOAT As soon as possible and within 24hrs, the Captain of the arriving boat must proceed to Customs and Immigration.

All passengers and crew remain on board the vessel until clearance procedures are complete. Customs and Immigration offices are located at Jolly Harbour and English Harbour. Be sure to take your ship’s papers, passports, and other documents relevant to everyone on board.

Please review the most updated yacht entry and clearance procedures on the Antigua & Barbuda Yachting & Marine Association website www.ABYMA.ag.

Note that the pre-arrival notification system, eSeaClear is available and fully functional in Antigua. Vessel operators can store and submit declaration information electronically, eliminating the need to fill in forms manually upon arrival at each port. For more information and to complete clearance forms online, go to www.eseaclear.com.

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ARRIVAL BY AIR UK flights & European connections from The Official Transatlantic Airline is offering specials for ASW 2024 competitors. Take advantage of the rates by emailing caribcorporates@fly.virgin.com.

Or visit them online at • Virgin Atlantic

www.virginatlantic.com

Direct flights are available from many airlines from the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands , St Maarten, Barbados, Jamaica offered by: • Air Canada

www.aircanada.com

• American Airlines

www.aa.coms

• British Airways

www.ba.com

• InterCaribbean Airways www.intercaribbean.com • Jet Blue

www.jetblue.com

• Liat

www.liat.com

• United Airlines

www.united.com

• US Airways

www.usairways.com

• West Jet

www.westjet.com

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ARRIVAL BY AIR

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The VC Bird International Airport (ANU), is an absolute pleasure — fully air-conditioned with escalators, faster lines, better shopping, and more places to eat and drink, making for a fantastic first and last impression of charming Antigua.

It is about a 45 minute drive from English and Falmouth Harbor.

TRANSFERS TO YOUR ACCOMMODATION Taxis are available at the airport upon arrival in Antigua. Unless you have any unique or specific requirements, you will not need to book in advance. After exiting the arrivals hall, cross the road to the taxi dispatch desk for taxi assignment. Taxi fares are government-controlled.

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ACCOMODATION HOTELS There is an excellent choice of hotel accommodation across Antigua: small, quaint hotels with great character; huge all-inclusive hotels; and chic boutique properties with private pools. Check out the options at www.visitantiguabarbuda.com.

Prices start at under US $150 per night in some of the more basic hotels while at the other end of the scale there are some beautiful luxury properties priced accordingly.

VILLAS Antigua’s choice of villas is enormous. There are about 200 privately owned villas on the market – from Jolly Harbour waterfront villas which can be rented from about US $200 per night to absolutely breathtaking hilltop estates with daily maid service, in-house chefs and chauffeurs available 24/7.

The options are endless and only limited by your imagination (and perhaps your pocketbook!). Check out www.antiguanice.com for a wide range of villas for rent directly by owner or visit www.airbnb.com.

HOSTELS, GUEST ROOMS AND APARTMENTS If budget is an important consideration, there are some excellent deals available island-wide in apartments, hostels and guest rooms. Check out either of these two sites www.visitantiguabarbuda. com and www.antiguanice.com.

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VENUE LOCATION

For more information about Antigua Sailing Week, visit www.sailingweek.com.

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