Antigua Sailing Week preview + Video

by Antigua Sailing Week on 7 Feb 2015 Antigua Sailing Week is the most famous sailing regatta in the Caribbean. Since 1968, sailors from all over the world have flocked to Antigua for one of the world's most prestigious yachting regattas, and for good reason.

Ask any experienced yacht racer to name the best places to sail in the world and you can be sure that Antigua will be one of them. The south coast of Antigua is blessed with warm trade winds and often significant swell; it's a race course to savour. Held at the end of the Caribbean regatta season, Antigua Sailing Week is the last major event before racing yachts and their crew move on to events in pastures afar and that is reflected in the wonderful party atmosphere ashore.

Antigua is where it happens - The Pillars of Hercules, Shirley Heights, Curtain Bluff, Rendezvous Bay, Falmouth Harbour, English Harbour, Nelson's Dockyard - fabled names in Caribbean yacht racing history.

Antigua Sailing Week's roots stem from the birth of the Caribbean yacht charter industry which started in Antigua in the 1960s. Racing yacht and bareboat charter is still a fundamental part of the regatta and there are a myriad of charter opportunities from single berths to entire teams on a huge variety of yachts. With daily flights from Europe and North America and a variety of accommodation, booking your dream Caribbean adventure is a simple process. Visit here for a wide selection of charter options.

The racing areas are second to none and race management and courses have been honed over recent years to produce high quality, professional racing which is arguably the most competitive anywhere in the world and this year, by popular demand, more reaching legs are planned.

At the Daily Prizegivings professional sailors rub shoulders with passionate amateurs. The Beer Garden at Antigua Yacht Club is the focal point daily after racing to discuss the day's highs and lows and meet crews from other yachts. With over 100 yachts expected with sailors from over 20 different countries around the world, the conversation is guaranteed to be lively, unique and interesting.

Falmouth Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard are legendary party locations with famous and popular bars, restaurants and the occasional impromptu dock party thrown in, alongside the official Antigua Sailing Week parties which take place most nights, making for a busy week off the water. The big party night is Tuesday when over 2,000 revellers will enjoy live acts on the main stage and a few ice cold drinks to get the dancing shoes fully warmed up, secure in the knowledge that the next day is Lay Day allowing for a rest from racing.

Located on Pigeon Beach, Lay Day is an easy stroll from both harbours. The all-day Beach Party has chill out Reggae music and all manner of water sports, beach cricket and the famous Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Challenge, with the victor winning a stay at the exclusive award-winning Nonsuch Bay Resort.

Sixty five boats have already entered, join them by visiting the official Antigua Sailing Week web site www.sailingweek.com. Early bird rates on entry fees valid through February 28, 2015.

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