44th Antigua Sailing Week, 24th- 29th April 2011
In 1967, Antigua Sailing Week was born and it has been going strong
ever since. The Regatta, held at the end of April each year, is
described as the ‘Grandaddy of them all’ and rightly so. It has a rich
heritage and tradition but is one of the foremost venues on the global
sailing calendar. Yachts and sailors from all over the world come to
Antigua for the fantastic racing conditions and to enjoy all that
Antigua has to offer.
The 44th Antigua Sailing Week promises some major changes. The newly
formed Regatta Organising Committee (ROC) is responsible solely for
racing and race organisation. After studying the formats used at
different regattas around the world and seeking the advice of experts,
a new racing programme is currently being finalised.
Antigua Sailing Week will offer a combination of windward-leeward and
coastal courses in keeping with successful modern practices. Also in
the plans are courses of varying lengths to suit the large variety of
yachts that enter the Regatta each year.
Kathy Lammers, Chairman of the ROC commented, “The new Regatta
Organising Committee is very aware of how important it is to provide
competitive, exciting and fair racing with excellent courses and
management. Times are changing and so are the expectations of sailors
for world-class sailing events. We have therefore had extensive
consultations in recent weeks with past participants of Antigua Sailing
Week which have contributed significantly to our event planning for
Sailing Week 2011. We think the sailors will be very pleased come
April with the many changes we have planned for the Regatta.”
The Ocean Series will also have some changes on offer for 2011. The
Guadeloupe Race will remain as a feeder race to Antigua Sailing Week
but will not be part of the Ocean Series. The Redonda Race will not be
returning but the Series will see the addition of courses suitable for
the ocean going and high performance yachts that are expected to
participate in the event.
The main focus for 2011 is on providing a variety of race courses
suitable for all competitors whilst maintaining a high standard of race
management. New in the 2011 Notice of Race is provision for entry using
CSA and/or IRC rating systems.
Efforts are also being concentrated on ensuring that there is a good
fleet of cruising and charter boats and, subject to demand, Antigua
Sailing Week may lay on courses and events for the IMOCA 60s and Class
40s that will be in the Caribbean following the finish of the Route de
Rhum earlier in the season in neighbouring Guadeloupe.
Shoreside will also see some changes aimed at creating a programme of
events and entertainment that will make Antigua Sailing Week more fun
than ever.
The new Chairman of Sailing Week, Ian Fraser, commented, “Feedback has
been enormous and positive, and we are gratified by the goodwill that
exists for Antigua Sailing Week and the desire of yachtsmen worldwide
to come to Antigua to enjoy all that we have to offer. What is clear is
that the racing has to be challenging but also that Antigua Sailing
Week is about having fun both on and off the water.”
For more information including the 2011 Notice of Race see
http://www.sailingweek.com/
