2023 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta

This year’s event ran from April 19 through April 23 and was held at Nelson’s Dockyard Marina, as befits the classic yachts entered. The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta had 37 entries ranging from the majestic Adix at 212 feet to the diminutive Eleanor B Cornish Lugger at 40 ft.

The Races

The conditions were good for the most part, with relatively light and benign winds. These came from different directions than normal, negating a lot of the hometown advantage for Antiguan based yachts. There were no collisions or major equipment failure this year; and no injuries, either. One boat had engine trouble close to the reef upon departure, but got it sorted out before any assistance was necessary.

Work

The committee boat was full up and I was drafted as a “dinghy wrangler”. This job turned out to be more work and effort than I’d expected. Those heavy displacement and full keeled old-timers are great once they get doing and will go in a straight line forever with little input.

But at low speeds, reversing, or changing direction under engine they are about as nimble as ballerinas wearing concrete shoes with chains attached. Hence we had a lot of work acting as mobile bow-thrusters and stern-thrusters. Despite light winds, we once had 2 20HP dinghies pushing amidships on one of the boats and were actually losing ground against the prevailing 5 knot wind.

Overall

It was a fun event and everyone seemed to be happy to see it being held in the historic venue of English Harbour rather than the modern setting at Falmouth harbour.