You’ve heard of the Magnificent Seven. Eight days from now, you can see the Magnificent Eleven in action in the Caribbean. That’s the nickname for the 11 sailing yachts entered in the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, an annual wintertime event.
Now in its seventh year, the race is for pure fun. The Superyacht Challenge Antigua has always invited yachts of 80 feet and larger to participate in this fashion. Each yacht’s owner and guests are encouraged to enjoy themselves, with no pressure to hire professional racers to secure victory. (Further proof: The awards include Loudest Caribbean Shirt.) In addition, race organizers cap the entries at 15, and there are no commercial endorsements. None of this means, however, that racing rules go out the window. The Superyacht Challenge Antigua brings in navigation consultants and the ORC, the global governing body for offshore sailboat racing, to ensure both fairness and safety.
From February 2 to 5, the Superyacht Challenge Antigua will welcome yachts ranging from 82 feet to 212 feet LOA (25 to 64.6 meters). They represent a mix of ketches, schooners, and sloops, too. The ketches are Elfje and Marama. The schooners, meanwhile, are Adela and Adix. Acadia, Danneskjold, Kawil, Nilaya (pictured), Spiip, Wild Horses, and Zig Zag round out the competitors.
All competitors depart from Nelson’s Dockyard on the island of Antigua. The same location plays host to the social program. Besides cocktail parties, that program includes a cook-off among multiple participants. The race itself has the start and finish line just off English Harbour’s entrance. As for the racing, each day sees pursuit races of varying lengths, determined in the morning according to conditions.
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