Antigua Sailing Week: Trials, Tribulations & Triumph!

Guadeloupe to Antigua 2014 Race

Antigua Sailing Week - Guadeloupe to Antigua race 2014

 

Grenada Bluewater Sailing got off to a flying start during this year’s feeder race for Antigua Sailing Week. Skipper Stuart Ramsay led his crew to success, finishing in a very admirable 3rd place. This was Stuart’s first time skippering Chao Lay during a race and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Crew member Pieter, from the Netherlands, said:

 

The result was a bit of a surprise really, and I didn’t know that we did that well! I really enjoyed the race and the course a lot. I’m glad we had Stuart as our skipper, and I’ll tell him in person tomorrow when we have my goodbye dinner. He’s great!

 

Antigua Sailing Week 2014

 

Skipper Alex Johnstone was at the helm for Antigua Sailing Week on Chao Lay. Alex skilfully lead our super crew, and the feedback was fantastic. Claire, an experienced charter captain from Bequia, said:

 

I had a blast! I am definitely going to go again 🙂 Alex is an amazing sailor. Next year, I want to come down and race on Chao Lay for Grenada Sailing Week 2015 as well!

 

Antigua Sailing Week - Chao Lay racing in the Caribbean regattaASW 14 Day One

 

The first day of racing welcomed the international fleet of over 100 yachts with perfect Caribbean weather. Chao Lay was classed in CSA 6. The courses ran from Rendezvous Bay past Curtain Bluff and Old Road. Start Boat B was the place to be!

 

The shifting southeasterly breeze meant that skipper and crew had to work closely together to keep Chao Lay perfectly trimmed. Day one is always exciting as the crew learns to work together for the first time under racing conditions. Chao Lay achieved a respectable 3rd in class, and the crew proceeded to celebrate at the world-famous ASW party!

 

ASW 14 Day Two

 

Antigua Sailing Week - Regatta action in AntiguaThe second day of the regatta proved to be just as gorgeous as the first. There were ideal racing conditions, with a good easterly blowing at 13-14 knots. A light chop meant that the two short races would be thrilling ones.

 

Start Boat B courses began from the Windward Beach, and ran past the bays on the southeast coast of Antigua. Going upwind, Chao Lay dodged along the cliffs to avoid the current. Downwind, the action was intense, and boats were getting seriously close to each other. This intensity resulted in a broken pole with damage sustained to the bottom panel of the spinnaker! Nevertheless, we secured two solid 3rd places.

 

Antigua Sailing Week - Chao Lay flying the spinnaker in AntiguaASW 14 Day Three

 

Day Three whipped up excitement as the great racing conditions continued. Along the southern coast of Antigua, CSA 6 had one long race with numerous marks to round. There were superb winds that created surfing conditions, and delivered us another consistent third place. Three was indeed the lucky number this week! Our thanks go to A&F Sails for mending our spinnaker so quickly overnight.

 

The crew were looking forward to Lay Day after sailing their hearts out, and it was time for some well deserved R&R at the Shaggy concert.

 

ASW 14 Day Five

 

Antigua Sailing Week - Chao Lay racing in AntiguaAfter a fun-filled yet restful Lay Day, the crew were back on form and ready to race. The wind had increased from previous days, and the powerful Caribbean swell promised some thrills and spills. Two exhilarating short courses provided the closest racing in this class yet. Tatonka won the first race, with Selene and Chao Lay finishing under a minute behind.

 

The second race was a little longer, which gave Tatonka and Selene the space they needed to speed ahead. Chao Lay‘s skipper and crew worked together like a dream, and the team achieved two solid 3rd places.

 

Antigua Sailing Week - Grenada Bluewater Sailing collecting prizesASW 14 Day Six

 

After such a dramatic week of racing, the last day did not disappoint. The wind was gusting up to 20 knots, and the imposing sea conditions made for hair-raising moments. White horses reared up alongside the bow of Chao Lay, and the final race was epic to the end. Alex skippered Chao Lay as professionally as ever, securing the team with their final third place of the week.

 

Happy crew faces reflected the competitive and fun week of racing. At the final prize giving ceremony, Grenada Bluewater Sailing received overall 3rd in class – well done crew and we hope to see you next year!!

 

Final word from skipper Alex Johnstone:

Antigua provided all the thrills of one of the biggest Caribbean regattas: great competitive racing in perfect trade wind conditions, excellent after race events, wonderful parties, and a show stopping final party and band. Our mother ship and host Coral of Cowes made the whole event the best ever with everyone on board having a fantastic time.

 

 

Yacht racing photography courtesy of Tim Wright www.photoaction.com