PHOTOS: Claire Matches
Eight sailing superyachts have already shown interest in racing in January’s Superyacht Challenge Antigua. Fittingly, the regatta is entering its eighth year, too.
“The Superyacht Challenge Antigua is full on out on the water and laid back ashore, the perfect combination,” says Campbell Field, navigator for Spiip (below), which won the 2017 race. “A fantastic regatta, with a great atmosphere.”
That atmosphere included “some great tussles” this year with competitors such as Adela and Elfje, Field adds. He also says Spiip encountered healthy competition from both Danneskjold (above) and Nilaya, due to being quite similar performance-wise. Since Spiip and Danneskjold have already registered for the 2018 race, and Nilaya has expressed interest, more great tussles may just lie ahead. The Superyacht Challenge Antigua runs from January 28 to February 4.
Sailing superyachts measuring 80 feet (24 meters) and larger have until the end of December to formally register. Unlike other regattas, the Superyacht Challenge Antigua does not have a title sponsor. The organizers take this approach to emphasize the sheer fun of superyacht racing. Furthermore, they limit entries to 12 to 15 yachts.
Come January, competitors will vie for honors over five races within four days. Organizers actually extended racing this year, due to requests. The race course runs along the southern shores of Antigua, renown for excellent conditions.
In keeping with the emphasis on fun, evening programs, all held at Nelson’s Dockyard, eschew jackets for men. Those programs range from the welcome cocktail to a cook-off. In addition, there’s a paddleboard race, and a wrap-up cocktail party and dinner with Caribbean dancers and entertainment.
As for prizes, you’ll find rum barrels (filled, of course!) among the awards. There’s further the coveted Gosnell Trophy, given to the crew reflecting the Spirit of the Regatta. This means they’ve worked as hard as they can onboard and shown just as worthy of an attitude on shore. The Gosnell Trophy is perpetual, donated by Timoneer. The owners and crew enthusiastically supported the Superyacht Challenge Antigua from year one. In fact, one of the owners, Georgia Gosnell, lovingly called Mrs. G., passed away in 2014. The trophy carries her name, in her honor.
Leave a Reply