Skipper Richard Archer raced his Swan 100 Virago to a record best time of five hours, 34 minutes and 41 seconds in the ‘Round the Island race over the weekend of January 20 – 21. Caccia Alla Volpe, the Vallicelli 44 owned by Carlo Falcone, was the overall winner ahead of Bernie Wong’s Huey Too and Virago.
Caccia Alla Volpe had the services of one of the world’s top skippers, two-time winner of America’s Cup, Russell Coutts, on board. Coutts had just completed the Key West Race Week considered the biggest Regatta in the United States. Numbers, the Carol Marine 60, which won the big boat class at the Key West event, was a feature at last year’s Antigua & Barbuda Sailing Week, where it placed third in its class. According to General Manager of the Antigua Yacht Club Tommy Patterson, Antigua & Barbuda continues to attract not just the best boats but the sailors as well.
“Antigua & Barbuda had a presence at Key West where representatives from the Race Week Committee go and encourage participation at our event,” he said. “Coutts led the Swiss team and New Zealand to back-to-back America’s Cup victories and being here indicates that we attract the best.”
Another winner at this weekend event was Dr Bernie Wong in his Cal 40 Huey Too in the Racer/Cruiser class. Huey Too beat Sandy Mair in the Soveral 30, Streaker, into second place and Marie Marie, the Feeling 38 from Guadeloupe, in third position. In the Classic class, Hans Lammers, in his Rhodes 41, Sunshine, beat Eddie Baretto in the Hinckley 40, Moonshadow as the two finished first and second respectively.
Patterson told the Observer Sports that the business community was instrumental in making the event the success it was. Castaways Beach Bar, Antigua Slipway, Last Lemming and English Harbour Rum all supported the event. Carlo Falcone of the Antigua Yacht Club Marina and Charles Kenlock assisted with free dockage for the boats over the weekend. Tom and Inga, two members of the committee boat as well as Lord Jim Locker, played major roles in the success of the race.
Along with the racing, there were some sideline events, including the Miss Round the Island show, won by Ms. Streaker.
Report submitted by Antigua Yacht Club, English Harbour
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