The 56th edition of Antigua Sailing Week will start next week in spectacular fashion, with strong tradewinds forecast to provide adrenaline-packed sailing across nine classes. Competitors range from family crews and long-term cruisers to some of the most successful sailors on the planet, including America’s Cup winner Dean Barker.
“Whatever their background, every sailor will share the thrill of racing with carefully tailored courses for each class,” says Race Manager Jaime Torres. Teams from 17 nations, including Australia, France, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, USA and from several Caribbean Islands, are set for thrilling racing and sensational parties in one of the sailing world’s most beautiful settings.
Their boats range from 24ft RS Elite dayboats, up to a pair of all carbon fibre Volvo Ocean 65s, a Volvo 70 and Adrian Lee’s high octane HH66 catamaran Lee Overlay Partners lll. “The unbeatable combination of intense competition, incredible scenery and the sense of community among sailors,” particularly appeal to Lee, who has raced at Antigua for 14 years. “The challenge of racing in such a dynamic environment pushes me to improve every year,” he adds, “especially this year as I have a new boat!”
Other notable contenders include classics such as Lennart Davidsson’s 79ft (24m) Sparkman and Stephens designed maxi, Kialoa lll, the largest yacht entered this year.
The action starts on Saturday April 26, with the Peters and May Round Antigua Race. From Sunday April 27, Antigua Sailing Week has five days of racing plus a Lay Day on Wednesday April 30.