Antigua Sailing Week gets sponsor upgrade

by Barby MacGowan on 14 Sep 2005 The Antigua Hotel and Tourist Association (AHTA) is delighted to announce that Rolex will be the title sponsor of its annual Antigua Sailing Week.

The Rolex Antigua Sailing Week, due for its 39th running from Sunday, April 30, through Saturday, May 6, 2006, is an exciting addition to the Rolex worldwide portfolio of yachting events, which includes another Caribbean favorite, the International Rolex Regatta, which Rolex has sponsored for 33 years.

‘For decades, Rolex has had a prominent profile in the sailing world among racing enthusiasts,’ said Neil Forrester, General Manager of AHTA and Chairman for Rolex Antigua Sailing Week, ‘and we are excited about the opportunities that this partnership will allow us. As the 'Grandaddy' of regattas in the Caribbean, we offer some of the best sailing conditions in the world at one of the most beautiful venues. Rolex brings its well known touch of excellence to the mix.’

Forrester added that Rolex Antigua Sailing Week has evolved from a regatta for local yachtsmen to an international event that spans five racing days, with an additional Bareboat Championship Race on a sixth day. It attracts an average of 200 yachts, over 1500 participants, 5000 spectators and some of the biggest, fastest and most impressive sailing yachts in the world, packed with Olympic, America’s Cup and Around the World sailors.

For 2006, A Division will consist of Racing, Big Boat and Racer/Cruiser (with spinnaker) classes, while B Division will consist of Performance Cruiser (Spinnaker), Cruiser and Bareboat classes. The action takes place on the sheltered waters of the Caribbean as well as in the large ‘rollers’ of the Atlantic Ocean. The racing agenda for A Division includes a complete circumnavigation of the island, with scenic layovers on Antigua's south and west coasts, including Dickenson Bay and Jolly and Falmouth Harbours.

The three-day International Rolex Regatta, hosted by St. Thomas Yacht Club from Friday, March 24, through Sunday, March 26, precedes Rolex Antigua Sailing Week as one of the early regattas in an ambitious and highly anticipated Caribbean racing season.

Rolex Antigua Sailing Week joins the list of other prestigious Rolex-sponsored events: the Giraglia Rolex Cup, International Rolex Regatta, Rolex Farr 40 World Championship, Rolex Fastnet Race, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Rolex Middle Sea Race and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

For more information about the Rolex Antigua Sailing Week, contact P.O. Box W 2005, St. John’s, Antigua, W.I., Tel:(268) 462-8872/6164, Fax:(268) 462-8873/2627, santossailingweek@candw.ag or visit www.sailingweek.com.