2026 Antigua Bermuda Race Returns, Draws Fleet to SailGP Bermuda
The Antigua Bermuda Race returns on April 29, 2026, offering offshore racers a 935-nautical-mile challenge linking Antigua Sailing Week and SailGP Bermuda.
After a two-year hiatus, the Antigua Bermuda Race is set to return for its fifth edition, departing Antigua on April 29, 2026.
The 935-nautical-mile offshore race, organized by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in partnership with Antigua Sailing Week, provides competitors with a challenging ocean passage that links two major spring sailing events: Antigua Sailing Week (April 22–26) and SailGP Bermuda (May 9–10).
The race is open to:
- IRC Racing Yachts
- CSA Racing Yachts
- Superyachts
- Multihulls
- Cruiser-Racers
- Double-Handed Teams
For many sailors, the event serves as both a competitive offshore challenge and a practical way to move boats north from the Caribbean at the end of the winter season.
A Caribbean Offshore Classic
Canadian sailor Meg Reilley has raced the course twice aboard her Pogo 12.50, Hermes.
“Every year I look forward to the Antigua Bermuda Race, and I think Hermes does too,” says Reilley. “The first few days can be a sleigh ride reaching in the tradewinds. Hermes effortlessly coasts between waves, holding double-digit speeds with such grace. With the perfect sail plan and trim, she drives herself; all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Race Chair Les Crane notes that the event offers many of the rewards of a transatlantic crossing without the time commitment.
“The Antigua Bermuda Race delivers a transatlantic experience without the time and logistics required to cross the great ocean,” Crane says. “With the high cost of ocean freight, it’s also a safe, economical, and highly enjoyable way to take your boat north.”
What This Means for Sailors
The Antigua Bermuda Race occupies a unique niche in offshore sailing.
The event offers:
- A true bluewater offshore challenge
- A strategic delivery route from the Caribbean
- Competitive racing across multiple classes
- An opportunity to connect two world-class sailing events
For owners planning to relocate vessels to North America for the summer season, the race provides an attractive alternative to professional transport or offshore deliveries.
Carol Bareuther has written for ALL AT SEA since 2004.
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