Strong fleet expected at Antigua Dragon Yacht Club Challenge

by Louay Habib on 12 Apr 2017 Harmony Hall Yacht Club, with the support of the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, The Inn at English Harbour and Antigua Pro Racing, will host the fourth Antigua Dragon Yacht Club Challenge, May 8-9, 2017.

Organisers of the charitable invitational regatta, raising thousands of dollars for Antigua and Barbuda Search And Rescue (ABSAR), have reported strong interest from teams all over the world. Competing in identical Petticrow Dragons, a galaxy of stars will be racing in the beautiful waters of Antigua.

The Antigua Dragon Yacht Club Challenge is sponsored by Caribbean Alliance Insurance, the largest domicile insurance company in the Eastern Caribbean.

“Caribbean Alliance supports local events and local charities to give value to the community, such as ABSAR and the National Sailing Academy Antigua. Our emphasis is on supporting sports and education as a way of putting back into the community and the fact that ABSAR is the main beneficiary of this regatta, really fits into our vision for sponsorship.” commented Alistair Letby, Director of Caribbean Alliance Insurance.

Nine of the maximum fourteen teams, as expressions of interest, for the Antigua Dragon Yacht Cup Challenge.

Lauderdale YC – American Mike Toppa has competed in seven America’s Cup campaigns as sailor and designer, winning the auld mug on two separate occasions. Toppa is back as defending champion and is one of the United States most decorated sailors winning World Championship titles in various big boat classes.

Harmony Hall YC – Shannon Falcone is the first Antiguan to win the America’s Cup as part of Larry Ellison’s Team Oracle. Shannon has also competed with Team Puma in two editions of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Federacion de Vela de Puerto Rico – Eric Tulla, twice voted Puerto Rican sailor of the year. Eric has won titles in everything from multihulls to grand prix big boats and represented Puerto Rico in the Soling Class at the Los Angeles Olympics. In recent years, Eric has become an International Judge and is a Vice-President of World Sailing.

Monaco YC – Carlo Falcone represented Antigua and Barbuda in the Star Class at the Barcelona Olympics and is a founding member of the Harmony Hall YC. Carlo has been a regular competitor at Antigua Sailing Week and Antigua Classics for decades and has won both events.

National YC (Ontario) – Kevin Brown is one of the leading figures in keelboat racing in Canada. A Co-chair of the IRC North American Championship, Kevin won his class last year racing his Farr30 Notorious. Kevin has competed at three editions of the Mumm30 World Championships

Antigua Yacht Club – Geoffrey Pidduck, is a former Commodore of the Antigua Yacht Club and his modified 6 Metre, Biwi Magic, is a familiar sight a Antigua Sailing Week, having won class at the Caribbean's longest running regatta.

Nonsuch Bay Resort SC – Ian and Cameron Fraser will be representing their luxury Caribbean Resort. The Scottish brothers immigrated to Antigua in 1967 and have been sailing in their home waters for many years. Last year the pair raced Janley at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, winning all races, to take home the coveted Panerai watch as overall winner.

Teams from the Mill Reef Yacht Club and another led by Sir Richard Matthews have also expressed their interest to participate in the two day event.

There will be a mixture of inshore and offshore racing to give a great diversification of courses with a maximum of nine races. The top mark for the inshore racing will be right in front of the Antigua Yacht Club Marina and the offshore races will finish in view of some of Antigua’s best resorts and dining establishments. Dinner on the first night will be at Marcus Restaurant, in Nelson's Dockyard, whilst the Prize Giving Ceremony and supper will be hosted by The Inn at English Harbour.

Antigua Dragon YC challenge. 2014, the innaugural edition. from A C Q U A F I L M S on Vimeo.