Heavenly conditions on day 2 of the 2018 Superyacht Challenge Antigua
by Louay Habib 2 Feb 2018 22:43 PST
1-4 February 2018
The 172ft Hoek designed ketch Elfje - Superyacht Challenge Antigua 2018 © Claire Matches /
www.clairematches.com
The second day of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua was blessed with 16 knots of north easterly trade winds, sublime air temperature, and a dazzling blue Caribbean sea. In the Corsairs Class Rebecca put in a great performance, winning by just over a minute after ORCsy time correction. Spiip took second, just 13 seconds ahead of Danneskjold after time correction. In the Buccaneers Class, Acadia scored their second win of the regatta with Zig Zag second and Maramar third.
The Buccaneers were set a course of approximately 25 miles with the Corsairs enjoying a similar course plus an additional beat offshore. Both courses featured a long windward leeward component, testing boat handling and boat-on-boat tactics. A 30 degree wind shift near the end of the day was a defining moment for a top performance. In the Buccaneers Class, Acadia executed another super start, just 8 seconds shy of the gun, but it wasn't the best start of the day, that honour was shared by Spiip and Elfje in the Corsairs Class. Both yachts were just five seconds off a perfect start.
In the Corsairs Class, the 142ft Frers ketch Rebecca's won today's race lifting the team to top of the leaderboard, with Elfje second and Spiip third. Elfje is the largest yacht competing this year, the magnificent 172ft ketch was launched in 2014 from the drawing board of Hoek, and has eco-friendly features including a hybrid propulsion system. Elfje's skipper Fergus Ross spoke about the regatta after today's race.
"The range of yachts in our class is great. Spiip is very quick and really optimised and Danneskjold was really quick today. Elfje and Rebecca are having a great time, it is great to finally race against them. Elfje's owner really enjoys racing and this one is at the top of the list, because it is relaxed, easy going with a great atmosphere. There are no serious expectations but we are all trying to push the boat as hard as we can, and we have had two great days of racing. We are all looking forward to a double bill tomorrow with two shorter races, a bit more breeze would be good for us."
The Famous Cook Off took place on Thursday night at the Superyacht beach in Nelson's Dockyard and is a special social event at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua. The friendly competition between participating yachts, pits superyacht chefs to produce mouthwatering cuisine for the competing sailors. One dish is cooked on a traditional Antiguan coal pot for the coveted prize. This year's fancy dress theme was Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights and superyacht crews love to dress-up!
Racing continues tomorrow Saturday 3rd February with two shorter races scheduled to start at 1100 local time. For more about 8th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua visit www.superyachtchallengeantigua.com