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One week countdown to Antigua Sailing Week 55

April 20, 2024 In As it Happens

Hoist your sails for the 55th edition of Antigua Sailing Week. Even with less than 7 days to go, it’s not too late to enter, and join the fleet of 88 boats. Or if you are already on that roster but want an additional tune up day before, consider the separately scored 52 mile Peters & May Round Antigua Race.

For those fully committed to joining us, here is a rundown to ensure you make the best of your time in Antigua.

GET READY FOR THE SECOND EDITION OF THE ANTIGUA FOILING CHAMPIONSHIP

Antigua Sailing Week will be welcoming foiling enthusiasts, both local and visiting to participate in the 2nd Antigua Foiling Championships. It takes place from April 25 – April 27 to allow regatta crews, many of which are avid wingers, the opportunity to compete before they have to set sails for the main event.  This electrifying event promises to be a thrilling experience for all sailors and water sports enthusiasts.  You can still be a part of the fastest growing water sport as entries are still open.

REGATTA BUSINESS 
Login to Yachtscoring, our fully integrated entry and results system, to check  that that information submitted is correct and that you have completed the following:

  • Crew Waivers – all boats must have crew waivers completed for all crew before registration is complete.
  • Event Specific Questions – don’t overlook this section
  • Entry Fee Payment – have you paid? Alternatively, you can fill in credit card details here: https://sailingweek.com/payment/

Other important housekeeping include


OPTIONAL BRIEFINGS

  • iNET Racing Rules of Sailing Seminar – For any sailors wishing to learn or refresh themselves on the rules of participating in an international regatta. Conducted by International Judge David Pelling. Friday 26 April – 3pm – 5pm at Lucky Eddi’s.
  • iNET Bareboat Briefing -All bareboat charter sailors are invited to a briefing at to include a rundown of the week. Your bareboat charter company will keep you apprised of further plans and locations. Saturday 27 April – 3pm at Nelson’s Dockyard
  • iNET Skippers Briefing – We are happy to re-establish the traditional briefing for ALL skippers taking part in Antigua Sailing Week. Briefing will start at Saturday 27 April – 6pm at Lucky Eddi’s 

STAYING IN THE LOOP 
To keep abreast of the results – be sure to bookmark these online Notice Boards:

On a daily basis we broadcast to 4 What’s App Groups (updates only not conversation) – join them now by clicking the link & ensure you and your crew are up to date all week.

STAYING CONNECTED
Options are available for the week depending on your requirements from a sim for your phone with a local number or data, to options of a device that up to 10 other devices can share. Get in touch directly with our sponsors to find out the best deal for you and your crew.

  • Axxess Marine –  online/ in store specialized sim cards and data plans that keep you connected locally and throughout the region, as well as huge savings on crew sign up plans with free local calls between crew members and the capability of international calls as well. Order in advance via phone/whats app:ANU: +12687646817 or support@axxess-marine.com and visit www.axxess-marine.com for their full range of services. Buy now, logon to their portal and then activate and suspend services on demand.
  • iNET – sim cards, phones and data plans – call or +1 (268) 480-7532 or telecomssupport@apua.ag and visit www.apuainet.ag for their full range of services.

AXXESS MARINE YOUTH TO KEEL
We have had a great response from boats wishing to take a youth on board, in fact we don’t have enough youths at this stage to satisfy requests. We have sent introduction letters this week to skippers and potential Y2K sailors so that you can confirm plans directly with them. Thank you so much in advance for being a part of inspiring our young sailors and helping us develop their skills and interest in the yachting industry.


TECHNICAL GEAR ON SALE
Gill Technical Clothing, which is already in-store at Budget Marine locations, will be available at  our merchandise store at Antigua Yacht Club starting Wednesday April 24.  Branded Cotton polos, hats, gloves, knee pads and water bottles will also be on sale. The store will be open daily from 8:30 – 8pm.

THE ENGLISH HARBOUR RUM WELCOME PARTY – RUM & BASS – APRIL 26
This year the Rum party moves up the hill to Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre. Starting at 5pm there will be free rum and an opportunity to claim your 2024 English Harbour Rum Hat. Stunning sun sets, live music and DJ’s and excellent Rum and food pairings will all create an incredible night at this new location for ASW parties.

POST RACE CELEBRATIONS – APRIL 27 – MAY 3 
On opening day, join Peters & May for its  Round Antigua Race, where the excitement begins! Whether you’re there to competitively race against top Olympic yachtsmen and women or simply soaking up the Caribbean’s beauty, Peters & May is here to cater to your every need. Mark your calendars for Saturday 27th April and be sure to attend the opening of Regatta Village and the Peters & May Round Antigua Race Prize Giving. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet the team and share your racing tales. With transatlantic sailings in April and May and customisable shipping schedules available, Peters & May ensures a seamless experience. Reach out today so you can focus all your attention on creating lasting memories in Antigua.


Dress to Impress 
Nothing says winning on shoreside more than sharply kitted out crew.  So we are asking all teams to remember to pack matching their most creative outfits to show-off during afternoons at the Antigua Yacht Club.

On opening night, in addition to the complimentary English Harbour Rum cocktail from Peters & May (redeem your ASW Gold given to you at registration for your glass of Antigua’s famous Gold, English Harbour Rum), we will have spot prizes for the most spirited uniforms. Plus in addition to letting the team spirit show we want the regatta village to hear that spirit. So, if you have a team anthem or song let us know what is in this Google form.

EXPANDED REGATTA VILLAGE

This year the regatta village is expanded from Antigua Yacht Club Lawn to include the platform at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina. Regatta village bars will open daily at 3pm serving up cold Heineken Beers and English Harbour Rum-punches. Daily prizegivings will still take place on the lawn at the Antigua Yacht Club at 6pm each afternoon. In the evenings, you will find LIVE entertainment from local bands with creative themes at the  Antigua Yacht Club Platform. 

The Antigua Yacht Club LAWN is where everyone is invited to gather daily to mingle with their closest rivals as the results are calculated. Eat from venue restaurants and enjoy the lawn bars, which will be stocked with ice-cold Heineken Beers, refreshing Oasis Water & English Harbour Rum. At 6 pm each day, we will run our daily prize giving. Be prepared to join race officials on stage to have your daily racing achievements recognised.

To CELEBRATE, we have an amazing lineup of evening entertainment scheduled at the AYC Marina PLATFORM. There are some fancy dress-up theme nights planned as well –  Pirate Nite, Tropical Shirt Nite, Reggae Nite and Ladies Nite in White –  so don’t forget to pack a few garments so you can fit right in. Check your closet for your cheesiest Tropical shirts, your bright Reggae Colors (Red Yellow Green), Classic white, or whimsical Pirate shirts, aka Jack Sparrow, and include them in your luggage.

Note that on Friday, May 3, the daily prize giving will be at 4 pm at the Officers’ Quarters at Nelson’s Dockyard. This will be the exact location for the FINAL awards ceremony, beginning at 7 pm. The bars will be stocked no matter where you and your crew wait for event results!

Reggae in the Park – Tuesday April 30
Legendary reggae performer Sanchez will step on stage for the 13th Reggae in the Park – now at a brand-new location, Dow’s Hill Interpretation Center, in English Harbour. This singer and producer rose to major fame in the reggae scenes of London and the Caribbean in the 90’s and is a favorite of Gen-X, Millenials and even teenagers.

The event will open at 5pm and will include a beautiful early sunset session with Hellsgate Steel Orchestra, DJ sets and food and drink on sale where you can enjoy the incredible views and take in the history of the Belvedere Ruins.

Homegrown opening acts will  include Antiguas party band 1761º, Kenne Blessin, Drastic and supported by sounds by DJ Illist and Exorcist International. Tickets are available online at the Antigua Sailing Week website or via the TICKETING  app and include General & All inclusive options.

Information for specially priced tickets for crews have been sent to skippers via Yachtscoring this week where they can buy in advance and pick up at the committee desk during registration.

Park and Ride in Falmouth and Shuttles from the marinas will ensure everyone can easily get to the venue and back again.

Lay Day – Wednesday May 1
Made for fun, this mid-regatta beach party is an all day affair. RS Sailing will present this year’s fun but intense RS Feva Challenge at Pigeon Point Beach. If you have what it takes, sign up for this activity or one of the many crew challenges.(link)
The fun starts at 11am, but if you are thinking of taking it easy on this “rest day,” we have arranged an extraordinary sailing of our Wadadli Cats Spectator boats to allow you to explore some of Antigua’s beautiful beaches leisurely. Book your tickets here.
If you choose to stay on the beach you can expect a full lineup of games in and out of  the water including obstacle courses, amphibious challenges, SUP rally, Giant Jenga, all to the sounds of our house DJ Who and friends.

At sunset have Tug O’ War is always our close out competition on Lay Day- teams of 8 plus (you can always recruit willing people from the beach). Let us know if your team is up for the challenge, using the Google form and note that teams don’t need to be sailors, as we are looking for everyone to get involved!  Remember entry is free & its all about the bragging rights winning cold Heinken or English Harbour Rum or ASW swag.

Or if chillaxing in a chic beach restaurant or beach bar  is more your speed, visit Catherine Cafe for champagne or Bumpkins for their famous pina-colada’s.

To see full schedule including times and locations visit the schedule page on our website or join the social whatapp.

SPECTATORS WELCOME HERE 
Friends and family accompanying you to the regatta can spend their leisure time in many ways. Antigua Sailing Week has organised multiple Chase the Race options for them to get out on the water to take in and document the racing. Check out the Chase the Race options by air and by sea here.  Booking in advance is highly recommended.

If you prefer a bespoke Chase experience, you can consider a day out on a private yacht. This private 40′ Catamaran from Sunsail  caters to up to 8 people with inclusive catering, bubbles, premium spirits, and treats. The activity starts at your leisure, in time to see the start of the race classes, then follows a plan you have arranged with your skipper and hostess.

POST SAILING WEEK 

With the end of Caribbean’s most famous regatta right around the corner, its time to consider what your onward plans look like. As the sun sets on another Caribbean regatta season consider the option of shipping your vessel  home or to the next race.  Peters & May can help you make the next steps easier. Discuss your shipping plans and requirements with them and discover the best options available to you.

ANTIGUA BARBUDA RESTAURANT WEEK
The 2nd annual Antigua and Barbuda’s Restaurant Week takes place from May 4-19 and features a myriad of restaurants on-island from fine dining to local food spots. Participating restaurants will offer lunch and/or dinner prix fixe menus and experiences at a fixed price of USD $25, $50, or $75.  If you will be on island for extra days of rest & relaxation, it’s definitely worth trying. For details of participating restaurants check: https://www.antiguabarbudarestaurantweek.com/

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