Antigua Classics Regatta 2012

 28.4.2012

What an amazing spectacle!! It really is a celebration of sailing history, traditions, and craftsmanship over the years. It brings together Classical, Traditional, Vintage, and Spirit of Tradition yachts, ranging in size from 24ft to 183ft, and in ages from 1908 to 2011.

                          

The aim is to encourage owners and crews of Classic and Traditional, and Vintage boats to sail alongside one another, on courses designed for these classes, so that racing is “fun”, with the emphasis being on “ just sailing together”, in ideal Caribbean conditions. (my précis from the official programme!)

This was the 25^th Anniversary of the event, which has contributed enormously to the resurgence of Classic yacht design and restoration. The inclusion of the Spirit of Tradition class, allows the inclusion of yachts built recently, using modern methods and materials, but retaining the “grace and style” of old classics. The class A division in this Grouping, includes, for example the 183ft, Hoek designed “Athos”,  the 140ft German Frers designed “Rebecca”,  The Cape Town built German Frers  105ft “Bolero”,  as well as the new 115ft , Hoek designed F class pioneer yacht, “Firefly”, which is a modernized version of the old “J Class” yachts.

REBECCA

BOLERO

ATHOS

FIREFLY - F-CLASS PIONEER

(The J Class yachts “Endeavour”, “Ranger”, “Velsheda”, and “Shamrock V”, were sadly enticed away to an Olympic special event this year) . Nevertheless, entries were 6 up on last year, with 56 boats entered.

Spectators are able to view the event from a number of high vantage points between Falmouth and Shirley Heights, or from the water on their own boats.  I had the opportunity of viewing two races from front row  positions on Middle Ground,  the 3^rd , on board Andre and Alison’s catamaran, “Ratcatcher”, and  the 4^th , as a crew member on the 1943 Traditional yacht “Gaucho”.

 

The Race committee was superb, combining efficiency , excellent communication,  with a lovely sense of humour!  The 5 main classes are further broken down into subclasses based on size and speed, making 14 classes in total. These were then consolidated into 5 starting flag groups, 15 minutes apart, with the smallest boats leaving first, and the fastest ones last. The sight of some of the 100ft plus yachts bearing down at high speed on smaller was awesome, and for some, intimidating!

TUIGA

ELENA

The racing was keen, but courteous, with the emphasis on enjoyment. Protesting was permitted, but NOT encouraged. Shouting, cheering and yelling are encouraged!! A 30ft yacht on starboard tack, doing 6 knots, can hardly expect the 139ft  gaff rigged “Elena”  doing 14 knots, and requiring a rugby field area, plus 3 to 4 minutes to come about, to comply very happily with standard racing rules of the road!  (In 5 races there was only one protest involving a collision, and broken bowsprit!)

“Elena” is in fact a 2009, exact replica of the 1911 Herreshcoff designed gaff rigged schooner, of the same name, which won the Kings Plate trans Atlantic race in 1928, in 16 days and 21hours. Other special boats in the event were “Tuiga”, the 76ft W.Fife Gaff sloop, the 65ft  1927 Herreschoff “”Mary Rose”, and the 74ft van der Staadt, “Stormvogel”, plus a host of other beauties too numerous to list!

Mary and I will never forget the 2012 Antigua Classic Week!

MOYA

CORAL

ELENA

ELENA

KATE

STORMVOGEL

GODSPEED

EILEEN