Win for Open 50

Luc Coquelin takes Guadeloupe to Antigua race

In the Guadeloupe to Antigua Race held yesterday (Thursday, April 21), light winds meant that the record of two hours 18 minutes and 42 seconds set last year by Mari-Cha IV was never in any peril.

14 boats crossed the start line off Des Haies in Guadeloupe and Dixon 65 Liara earned line honours crossing the finish line off English Harbour five hours 13 minutes and 30 seconds later. But it was Top 50, an Open 50, skippered by Guadeloupe's Luc Coquelin, that won the overall prize in the 44-mile race. Swan 65 King's Legend was second and Santa Cruz 70 Hotel California was third.

The winners:

Overall:
1 Top 50, Open 50, Luc Coquelin
2 King’s Legend, Swan 65, Gijs Van Liebergen
3 Hotel California, Santa Cruz 70, Steve Schmidt

Racing: Top 50, Open 50, Luc Coquelin
Racer/Cruiser: Liara, Dixon 65, Ross Appleby
Bareboat: Heliodore, Dufour 50, Christophe Nielson
Cruiser: King’s Legend, Swan 65, Gijs Van Liebergen
Classic: Ashanti

The Guadeloupe to Antigua Race was followed by the Cavalier Rum Beach Party at Pigeon Beach, Falmouth Harbour.

By close of play Thursday, April 21, 181 boats were entered for Antigua Sailing Week 2005.

Sunday, April 24, is the Dickenson Bay Race followed by the Virgin Atlantic Beach Bash. Monday, Division A yachts will race Olympic courses off Dickenson Bay and Division B will race to Jolly Harbour. Tuesday is the Falmouth Harbour Race for division B; the Big Boats and Racing 3 will be heading off on the inaugural Round Island Race with the remainder of Division A racing some 'loops' in the South Coast Race. Lay-Day fun follows on Wednesday with beach-front antics at Pigeon Beach and a hockey tournament in Falmouth Harbour.

Thursday, the yachts are back on the ocean with Division A racing windward/leeward courses and Division B sailing the South Coast Race. Friday marks the last official day of racing with the Ocean Race. Saturday the prize giving is preceded with third annual Bareboat Challenge Championship Race.

The Lord Nelson's Ball and prize giving at the Copper & Lumber Store wraps the event on Saturday evening.