Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Louay Habib Caribbean blog: Antigua Dragon YC Challenge

by Louay Habib 13 Feb 2014 07:10 PST 2-8 February 2014

Boutique invitational events are beginning to become very popular and the first ever Antigua Dragon YC Challenge has a great recipe for success.

The brainchild of Carlo Falcone and his son Shannon Falcone (Team Oracle AC winner), the regatta was organised in identical Dragons chosen by lots. The event attracted top quality competition and was won by the Mill Reef YC team, led by Poul Hoj-Jensen who has been undefeated in any Dragon competition in Antigua for the many years but then again, the double Olympic Gold medalist and three-time Dragon World Champion, is probably the best Dragon Slayer to have ever lived. Karl James, skippering the Antigua Yacht Club team was runner up with Carlo Falcone snatching third in the medal race for the Monaco YC.

The week-long event featured a variety of racing including; a long coastal race from Falmouth Harbour to the brutal windward side of Antigua but the majority of the races were held in Falmouth Harbour with the Dragons racing right up to the superyachts. The top mark was right outside the marina restaurants and bars with plenty of cheering from Seabreeze Cafe and Scullduggery's (Great Expresso Martinis!).

The racing was incredibly close with boats frequently ducking and crossing with a few nudges along the way, most of the races were decided by just a few seconds and the whole fleet was very compressed.

The final medal race counted double points and the 212' superyacht, Imagine decided to anchor very close to the start line. "Imagine, Imagine Imagine – This is the Race Officer for the Dragons" Haled John Coveney and continued..."We will be racing shortly but don't worry we won't scratch your paintwork." The response: "Yes we have been so impressed we decided to get a better view!"

"Would you like to join in the fun? First warning signal is 1050 then its 5-4-1 go." Imagine's decibels rang out across the water exactly on schedule!

Next up the RORC Caribbean 600... 61 entries by 11th February and an amazing big boat class.

For more information go to the Racing Section at www.harmonyhallantigua.com

Related Articles

Getting excited for the Van Isle 360
Quoting a famous line from Pink Floyd's "Time" As I pack for the first half of the 2025 Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race, I find myself thinking about the last time I did this race, a certain Pink Floyd song, and the great adventuring, sailing and time with friends that awaits. Posted on 3 Jun
Robert Burke on HRCS's Dyckman Marina facility
Robert Burke discusses the upcoming closure of HRCS's Dyckman Marina facility Community sailing organizations are a fantastic and affordable way of drawing new sailors into the sport. Unfortunately, the Hudson River Community Sailing is being forced to close one of its two locations in January. Posted on 3 Jun
The call of the mighty
See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action, braving the elements, and glory for the victorious. As an Australian, you have King Louie (the late Lou Abrahams), and the late Sir Jim Hardy as the poster boys. Posted on 1 Jun
Where to purchase adaptive sailing equipment
Seats, hoists, etc for sailors with a disability Several organisations have contributed their knowledge regarding where to purchase adaptive sailing equipment such as seats for dinghies and hoists for wheelchair users to get into boats. Posted on 1 Jun
America's Cup Power Plays
And Growing Sailing Through Learning There's always so much speculation and intrigue in-between each edition of the America's Cup. Everyone wants to know what is happening behind closed doors, inside the teams, and when the Challengers meet with the Defender. Posted on 28 May
Hyde Sails Flying Fifteen Video Tuning Guide
Ben McGrane explains how to get the most out of your B1 mainsail with B1 or 2H jibs Hyde Sails release new detailed video guide for tuning the Flying 15 for use with the B1 mainsail with B1 or 2H jibs. Posted on 22 May
Gladwell's Line: - May 22 - A big month
Kiwi's loss is Italy's gain - our thoughts on the hosting debacle. Kiwi's loss is Italy's gain - our thoughts on the hosting debacle. Paul Whiting's tribute - 45yrs on. Surprise winner of biggest ever two-handed nationals. Chalkie Bland remembered. Posted on 22 May
Puget Sound sailing, Etchells, J/70s, Cup news
Seeking Goldilocks conditions on Puget Sound, Etchells NAs, J/70 U.S. Nationals, AC38 news As the saying goes, 'you don't know unless you go'. While I've mostly heard this phrase applied to climbing, skiing, and mountaineering, four late-winter and springtime races on Puget Sound this year exemplified the fact that this line. Posted on 20 May
The appeal of offshore
Is there still appeal? Have we made it too onerous? Why would someone take it up now? I had been pondering. Yes. Marquee events have no issue attracting entrants. Middle Sea, Transpac, Cape to Rio, Fastnet, and Hobart all spring to mind instantly, but what of the ‘lesser' races? Lots of boats in pens (slips) a lot of the time Posted on 18 May
Banger Racing, Back Racing and No Racing
Racing on the cheap, a return to racing for young Aussies, and ILCA struggles We start with racing on the cheap at the Colander Cup, then focus on a return to racing for the Aussies at the Youth Worlds, moving on to a complete lack of racing at the ILCA Worlds, and then looking at how SailGP should be back out on the water. Posted on 14 May
Exposure MarineCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERPredictWind - Offshore App 728x90 BOTTOM