Take in the Stunning coastlines of Antigua during the ASW Rally © Acquafilms
The big welcome extended to all competitors, whatever their boat, is a key pillar in the success enjoyed by Antigua Sailing Week for more than five decades. Long-distance cruisers and bareboat charterers have always been as much of an integral part of the event as the professional and semi-professional teams competing in grand prix monohulls and multihulls.
“ASW was recommended to me as something to do whilst waiting to put my boat on a ship,” says Paul O’Grady. “I’d heard of the event but initially thought it was too hardcore for my boat.“ But the Club Class format made it appealing, so I raced in 2022 in an old 29ft Westerly Konsort and won a race in Club Class in a close finish. I love the Club Class handicap system – having fun is the only goal. A good performance in the racing is a nice extra, but I’m not obsessed about it. It’s the atmosphere and camaraderie that makes it for me. I will return this year with a heavy displacement Tradewind 35, Cara of the South.
Bareboat fleet heading down wind toward the West coast of the island © Paul Wyeth
“I have visited Antigua many times and, as a keen sailor, have always wanted to participate,” adds Jim Henry, who has chartered the 40ft Jeanneau Full Circle from Sunsail to race in the CSA Bareboat class this year. “My identical twin brother and I turn 60 this year, so we’ve invited family and friends to join us in Antigua and help crew the boat,” he says. “We’re keen sailors from the UK East Coast who are looking to enjoy the sun, sailing, and parties. We’re not experienced racers but love Antigua and the people.”
“The whole point of these cruising classes is that they are a great mix of well-managed fun racing, with plenty of time on shore to enjoy the parties,” explains ASW Race Manager Jaime Torres. “The race formats are less complicated than the full-on racing classes, and there are only one or a maximum of two races daily. If you’re cruising around the region or own a boat regionally and want to enjoy some end-of-season excitement, this is the place for you.”
Sebastian Gyllings Swan 51, Eira
Importantly, these classes have a simplified and inexpensive owner-declared rating, costing only US$2 per foot instead of US$8 per foot for a full CSA rating. Equally, the entry fee for Club Class is little more than half the price of the other fleets.
It’s a compelling format that attracts regular participants, including Ian Galbraith, whose Oyster 53 Jigsaw took second place in his CSA Club Class last year, Sebastian Gyllings Swan 51 Eira, and new entries.
Individuals who don’t own a boat also have ample opportunities to take part. For example, Germaine Williams’ Sail Racing Academy has a mission to break down barriers while “providing fun, safe, and rewarding sailing opportunities at an affordable price.” They have several boats entered, including the Harmony 52 Sao Jorge in Club Class and the First 40.7 Escapado in the CSA racing classes.
The ASW Cruising Rally, a new event for 2025, offers the perfect format for liveaboards who don’t want the stress of a jostling start line. A daily staggered start format will ensure boats start safely before participating in point-to-point sailing and time trials for those who want extra excitement, sailing past stunning white sand beaches and Antigua’s myriad of picture postcard off-lying coral islands.
Sailing takes place on the same days as the racing classes, with the fleet visiting iconic stopovers around the island, such as Deep Bay, Little Jumby Bay, and Nonsuch Bay, with a midweek return to Falmouth Harbour for Reggae in the Park and Lay Day Beach Party at Pigeon Point.
A rally is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the legendary camaraderie of Antigua Sailing Week without racing in their floating home. “It’s the perfect opportunity for those who want a cruise in company around Antigua, and they could also include the Rally as part of a two-week charter that explores Barbuda,” says Sly-Adams.
Little Wing © Laurens Morel- saltycolours.com
This year, Ron Boehm’s three-decade-old Perry Antrim 52 catamaran Little Wing has entered the rally. “We like around island and point-to-point races,” he says. “We intend to participate in the Round Antigua race on Saturday and the time trial in the ASW Cruising Rally. After competing in 1,000s of races, winning is less important to me now.”
“We realize the time is right to relaunch the idea of cruising around the island to enjoy the destination to its fullest,” Sly-Adams adds. “Many boat owners, especially new owners, are reluctant to race, so we see this as a way to bring back the magic and sense of community when crews come together at the end of a fantastic day on the water. We invite cruising multihulls and monohulls to join us in this inaugural edition.
The separately scored Peters and May Round Antigua Race takes place on Saturday, April 26.
Antigua Sailing Week including the new ASW Cruising Rally takes place April 27 to May 2. Enter now at sailingweek.com/enter-2025/.
