There was a match racing event organised at the Antigua Yacht Charter Meeting this year and all exhibiting brokers, captains, crews, and attendees were invited to enter teams in a competition hosted by On Deck Racing based in Antigua. Two of the On Deck Beneteau 40.7 racing yachts were provided for the event and excellent short courses were laid inside and outside the harbour during the racing.
The finals were held on the last day of the show in testing conditions inside the harbour with tricky squalls providing interesting wind shifts, (courtesy of TS Olga passing well to the north of the island).
Bruce Tait won a good start in the final, surrounded by some very experienced crew such as Ben Cameron (Ex Ranger Captain/new Captain Mirabella V). The Nautor’s Swan Charters Team, composed of a selection of Swan Captains, championed by Steve Brownsea (Captain Patient Falcon) and with Bruno Jacob (Captain Swan 62 Gienah) on the helm, fought hard from behind and eventually took the lead on the second down wind leg. During the third beat the Bruce Tait Associates Team sailed some very good wind shifts, regained the lead, and crossed the line some 15 second ahead of the disappointed losers.
Smiles were soon re-installed at the Skullduggery Bar where the winners were presented with champagne on ice by the Nautor Team amidst the usual jocular remarks about land based brokers trouncing the on-water professionals.
This was a singularly good event to have at the AYCM and all the participants hope the tradition continues apace next year.
