Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Prepares for 30th Anniversary Edition

By Rebecca Bradbury 13 April 2017

A spectacular fleet of classic, vintage and traditional superyachts has begun to gather in Antigua for the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2017, which will be celebrating its 30^th edition when it gets underway on Wednesday 19^th April.

An established staple on the Caribbean’s marine calendar, the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta has been running for three decades, and looks forward to commemorating its anniversary with a magical combination of serious racing, laid-back hospitality and friendly camaraderie.

The special anniversary edition will also see the Antigua Yacht Club partner with the National Parks Authority for the first time to host the seven-day event in Nelson’s Dockyard, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Creating a perfect stage for the classic sailing event, the dockyard is located in the south of Antigua, and features eighteenth century forts that surround English Harbour and the exquisitely restored buildings and structures within.

Among the list of 2017 entrants are dozens of classic and vintage ketches, sloops, schooners, yawls and tall ships, and the line-up will provide an amazing spectacle, particularly when the four days of racing take place throughout the week.

two competing yachts cut through the water at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta

As usual, there will be a number of charter yachts competing across their respective classes, including the 43m/141ft sailing yacht COLUMBIA. A close replica of the original wooden Gloucester fishing schooner built in 1923, she was launched in 2014 and will be returning after a fine performance at last year’s meet.

Another replica competing will be the 55m/180ft sailing yacht ELENA. Built to recreate the same turn of speed as her predecessor, she also features a level of comfort for modern-day charterers that wasn’t available in 1910 and will be unmissable cutting through the Antiguan waters.

The recently renovated 31m/103ft sailing yacht EROS is also scheduled to compete. Available for both charter vacations and regatta charters, she was originally launched in 1939 and points to her illustrious past, while exceeding the comfort and enjoyment of those on board.

Completing the programme of charter yachts are the 55m/179ft sailing yacht CHRONOS, the 38m/125ft sailing yacht KAIROS from Aegean Yachts and the 32m/105ft sailing yacht BOLERO.