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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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HomeAntigua and BarbudaAntiguaAntigua Sailing Week’s 50th Edition

Antigua Sailing Week’s 50th Edition

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The Grand Awards Ceremony for Antigua Sailing Week was held in Nelson’s Dockyard and the UNESCO World Heritage Site was a fitting venue for the 50th edition of this historic occasion.

A stage glittering with dozens of trophies formed the perfect backdrop as Asot A Michael, MP, Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment & Energy of Antigua and Barbuda, gave a heart-warming welcome speech to thousands of sailors. Guest of Honor, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua & Barbuda presented the main prizes.

Following tradition, the converted Lord Nelson Trophy was the last prize to be announced. Tension mounted as MC Tommy
Paterson finally named the winner as Sergio Sagramoso’s Puerto Rican Melges 32, Lazy Dog.

Sagramoso and his team mounted the stage to tumultuous applause and crowded around the historic trophy. The last Puerto Rican boat to win the trophy was Tom Hill’s Titan XII in 2005.

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“It is really amazing, I’m really proud”, said Sagramoso who had been racing in the highly competitive CSA 4. “The Lazy Dog team will always remember this moment; this is why we do it. This was the toughest regatta I have ever been to with eight races and a very high level of competition.”

 

Lazy Dog … winner of the Lord Nelson Trophy and one of the most successful race boats in the Caribbean. Photo: Paul Wyeth pwpictures.com
Lazy Dog … winner of the Lord Nelson Trophy and one of the most successful race boats in the Caribbean. Photo: Paul Wyeth pwpictures.com

 

Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48, Scarlet Oyster had been in impressive form all week, however the British charter boat was once again just short of winning the Lord Nelson Trophy. Applebey and his crew didn’t leave empty handed though, snagging a huge haul of silverware for their efforts including: The Governor General’s Cup for first overall in CSA 5, Best British Race Charter Yacht; Royal Southern Yacht Club Shield Trophy for the Inter-Yacht Club Challenge and the Peter Deeth Trophy for 2nd overall in CSA 1-6.

 

Scarlet Oyster continues her winning ways. OceanMedia file photo
Scarlet Oyster continues her winning ways. OceanMedia file photo

 

Sir Peter Harrison’s Super Maxi Sojana racing in CSA 1 was close to winning the Lord Nelson Trophy for the second time and the crew were in good spirits as they accepted their haul of awards. They broke into song, singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to both the regatta and Sir Peter who celebrated his 80th birthday during the week. Sojana bagged the Curtain Bluff Trophy for the overall win in CSA 1, The Corum Cup for winning overall in CSA 1-6, and the Fletcher Trophy for Best British Yacht.

Fritz Bus’s St. Maarten Melges 24, Team Island Water World had an epic battle in CSA 6 with Antigua National Sailing Academy’s Cork 1720, Spirit, skippered by Jules Mitchell. Team Island Water World won the class and Best Caribbean Boat in Start Boat A. Spirit was the Best Antiguan Boat in Start Boat A.

The K3 Foundation, racing Kialoa III and Clint Brooks’ Bajan TP52 Conviction had a fantastic regatta; both yachts scoring seven bullets to win their respective classes, CSA 2 and CSA 3.

Winning the Big Banana Trophy for Best Caribbean Yacht and the Grant Thornton Trophy for Best Boat Overall in CSA 7-9 was Cary Byerley and Sir Robbie Ferron’s Micron 99 Lord Jim from St. Maarten. The team had to overcome a 1.5 point deficit in the last race to their long term rivals, Sir Bobby Velasquez and his St. Maarten team racing L’Esperance. They went on to achieve victory by just two seconds!

“Two seconds and half a point; shockingly dramatic,” commented Ferron. “I could never believe it would be that close. In all my years, I have never won a regatta like that and I doubt if anyone else has.” Reflecting on how Antigua Sailing Week had evolved, Ferron said the regatta has done the right things for the competitors and was getting the appropriate response. “Sailors are enjoying the experience and that is why it has such a great turnout.”

Antiguan, Sir Hugh Bailey won the Lord Nelson Trophy last year and was second in CSA 3 this year with a new acquisition, his Farr 45 Rebel-B. Bailey has been involved in all 50 editions of Antigua Sailing Week.

“Back when it all started, if you told me that 50 years on we would have thousands of people racing in Antigua from all over the world, I would have said that was far from our thinking. I am happy to see the growth and I feel privileged because I am the only captain from the early days still alive and on the race course.”

 

Antigua … it’s more than just sailing
Antigua … it’s more than just sailing

 

Winning the Dream Yacht Charter Trophy and one week Bareboat charter from Antigua was Mike Cannon and Neil Harvey’s KHS&S Contractors from Florida, USA. “The team has won multiple times all over the Caribbean, but this was its first trip as a team to Antigua Sailing Week. I cannot believe how good this experience has been,” commented Cannon.

For full results, pictures, videos and stories of the Golden edition of Antigua Sailing Week, visit: www.sailingweek.com

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