Heading for Antigua

Early entgries up for Rolex Antigua Sailing Week

With less than one month until the start of one of the Caribbean's largest sailing regatta, the entries for the Rolex Antigua Sailing Week are streaming into race headquarters. Due for its 39th running from Sunday 30 April until Saturday 6 May the international event spans five racing days, with an additional Bareboat Championship Race on a sixth day, and attracts an average of 200 yachts, over 1500 participants, 5,000 spectators and some of the biggest, fastest and most impressive sailing yachts in the world, packed with Olympic, America's Cup and around-the-world sailors. Action takes place on the more sheltered waters of the Caribbean as well as in the large 'rollers' of the Atlantic Ocean. For certain classes, the racing agenda includes complete circumnavigation of the island, with scenic layovers.

"Compared to this time last year, we have more competitors registered," said Neil Forrester, regatta Chairman and General Manager of the Antigua Hotel and Tourist Association. "Overall, there is a nice balance among Caribbean entries and those coming from the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and France. Each year we welcome back veteran sailors and receive warmly those who have not sailed here before."

In addition to the regatta's new title sponsor, Rolex, another innovation for this year is the Regatta Village. This will be situated in the historic Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour. All of the week's activities such as trophy ceremonies and the famed Lord Nelson's Ball, which annually attracts over 750 people, will take place in one location.

From big Swans to mid-sized charter boats, enjoying the camaraderie on the water and off is a goal of the week, and what draws racers to the Caribbean every year.

"It's the regatta we really gear up for," said Clay Deutch, owner of the Swan 68 Chippewa, and winner of the 2004 Swan Caribbean Challenge Cup. "We have done it since 2001, except we missed last year. We're full on this year with our core group of crew. We like the length of the regatta, getting in a full week of racing. In terms of variety, you can't beat the schedule. It's the best regatta for us because it tends to draw the best big boat competition."

Chippewa will compete in the Big Boat Racing class against veterans such as newcomer Numbers, the Farr 60 owned by Boston-based Dan Myers that has won its class at the Acura Key West Race Week and New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, and Frank Savage's Swan 56 Lolita, 2005's Antigua Sailing Week overall regatta winner.

The two largest entries to date are two from the UK, Nephele the Frers 112 owned by William Ainscough and Sojana, Peter Harrison's Farr 115.

Other notable entries in the Big Boat Racer/Cruiser Class are Starr Trail, Robert Mulderig's Farr 72 from Bermuda and Manu, the Swan 70 owned by Holger Boehres from the Cayman Islands.

To date, 115 entries have been logged at the regatta office with over 200 total entrants expected.