Category Archives: Regattas and Races

Information about Yacht Races and Regatta

Antigua Sailing Week

After having competed in the Antigua sailing regatta last week and gaining third place in class, charter broker and regatta expert, Alice gives her personal insight into the best parties, races, sailing, and restaurants that the regatta has to offer.

Every April, thousands of competitive sailors gather from all corners of the world to compete in the unmissable Antigua Sail Week. For any yachtie, this rum-fueled week is not to be missed out!

Rum-fuelled racing

The warm Caribbean trade winds allow for some of the world’s finest yacht racing conditions. The regatta has many different classes for yacht racing and welcomes boats of all sizes including bareboat, sports boats and many larger vessels. 

Since the 1950s this prestigious event has been the home to some of the finest yacht performances in boating history. The week includes 6 competitive racing days in some of the best sailing conditions throughout the regatta world.

Many different types of boats will compete in the regatta, giving many different class options to join. There is even the option of entering this regatta in a bareboat class if you wish to add a different dimension to a standard yacht charter!

Regardless of the size of boat you are on, at the beginning of every race everyone is in the same position, competition for victory at the end of the day.

Expect to see:

  • Crews hanging over the boat rail.
  • All boats in the realm of possibility
  • Bruises.
  • Sunburn everywhere
  • Windswept sailors with a rum in hand at all times.
  • Windward-leeward racing
  • Ripped sails and ruined sailors!
  • Global sailing champions
  • The sunsetting every night in Paradise

Après-sail

No Caribbean regatta can be complete without dancing, copious amounts of rum and live reggae bands. Notorious live parties, team-building competitions, prize giving ceremonies, and onboard cocktail parties allow the perfection combination of sailing and socializing.

Be sure to walk up to Shirley Heights to get the best sunset and I may add the best rum punch that the island has to offer. This year, the sailing event was sponsored by Fever Tree tonics, as such the traditional Caribbean rum had some very strong competition for being the tipple of choice for the 2019 Antigua Sailing Week.

Tough competition, idyllic racing winds, structured race courses, rum punch and of course  lobster on the BBQ  are the key ingredients to a world class regatta for novices, experts or even beginners!

Please click here to get in contact with Alice for your next regatta charter. We specialize in global regattas and travel extensively to review the best regatta charters for you!

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Broker Alice’s Top 5 Insights for Your 2019 Charter

1. Book your sailing boat to beat the winter blues and head to the Bahamas before its too late! Some of my top recommendations for the Bahamas are the Lagoon 42 and 450 catamarans and Pegasus, a 40 foot Jeanneau. Either charter in Nassau, island hop around the Exumas and visit pig beach or in Marsh Harbour to anchor upon amongst the idyllic Abaco Islands.
Catamaran – Lagoon 42
Catamaran – Lagoon 450
2. Get your friends together to book the ultimate vacation sailing around Croatia this summer. Starting from Split or Trogir a two-hour sail a day in crystal blue waters can take you from quaint fishing villages to the party islands of Hvar. I would suggest the Lagoon 52 for a skippered experience, the Saona 47 or a Sun Odyssey 449 for the ultimate sailing experience.
3. Guadeloupe- find France within the Caribbean. Navigate around the archipelago of islands and immerse yourself amongst the green landscapes of this fascinating mixture of the Caribbean and French influences.
Be sure to visit the waterfalls of Grande Terre, eat Creole dishes with the friendly locals and visit Jaques Cousteau’s dive site at Bouillante which offers some of the best diving in the world, the instructors will even pick you up from your yacht to take you diving!
Sailing around this island is rugged, inspiring and sophisticated at the same time. I would suggest the Sun Odyssey 509 for exploring and sailing performance or the spacious Catana 47 catamaran for the ultimate Guadeloupe sailing trip with friends and family.
Visit my Guadeloupe blog to see why this Caribbean island needs to be on your 2019 sailing to do list!
4. August on the French Riviera – Sail from Cannes to Monaco and spend the nights at anchor overlooking some of the most glamorous locations in Europe or in the slightly smaller ports of Golfe Juan or Villefranche to avoid the busy ports of Cannes or Nice. Boats to charter are the monohulls such as the Sun Odyssey 349  or the Oceanis 48 for a romantic break or a family holiday or add a hostess on a catamaran such as the Lagoon 450 to receive the five-star treatment of the French Riviera.
5. Summer island hopping the Cyclades from Athens. Start your bareboat charter in the ancient city of Athens and spend a week exploring the iconic Cyclades islands. Spend each night on a different island and explore some of the finest Mediterranean beach clubs, ancient ruins and the traditional white rooftops of Santorini and Mykonos. Catamarans are the best way to explore these islands with friends and family but if you want to profit from some of the most idyllic winds in the world take the Oceanis 62 and profit from its sailing capabilities.
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Louis Vuitton Luxuries

Luxury trends this week include a multi purpose coffee table, that provides more perks than the average piece of furniture. Furthermore, Louis Vuitton are strides ahead of many luxury brands with their tailored collection to a very popular sailing series, as well as a more bespoke collection with a renowned artist.

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