Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

2019 Superyacht Challenge Antigua - Day 2

by Louay Habib 2 Feb 2019 12:58 AEDT 30 January - 3 February 2019

The second day of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua had all the hallmarks of spectacular racing. The magnificent fleet enjoyed exhilarating conditions on the south-side of Antigua with brilliant sunshine, solid breeze and a good sea state. With all but one of the magnificent fleet measuring well over 100ft, boat handling was at a premium, as the superyachts performed at full throttle in the Caribbean sea. Principal Race Officer John Coveney chose a shorter course for the Buccaneers with seven legs, approximately 22nm. The Corsairs had a longer course of ten legs, approximately 32nm.

In the Buccaneers Class, the 112ft (34m) Sparkman & Stephens sloop Kawil scored their second bullet of the regatta. The 148ft (45m) Dubois ketch Catalina timed their start close to perfection but finished the race 8 minutes behind Kawil after ORCsy time correction. John McMonigall's Oyster 82 Zig Zag, by far the smallest yacht in the fleet, was third.

"A glorious today, just sparkling!" enthused Zig Zag's owner and driver John McMonigall. "Starting first we get to see all the magnificent fleet during the race, and it is a joy to behold. This is Zig Zag's fourth regatta and we just love coming here. The racing is wonderful and everybody is so friendly ashore. I have just received pictures of my grandchildren playing in the snow back home in England, so sailing today in shorts and t-shirts... well what's not to like?"

In the Corsairs Class, the 112ft (34m) Reichel Pugh sloop Nilaya, driven by Filip Balcaen, had another day of close racing. Eventually taking their second race win after ORCsy time correction by just 86 seconds from the 112ft (34m) Frers sloop Spiip. The 140ft (42m) German Frers ketch Rebecca was in the battle for first place, but a problem with a spinnaker drop put them back to third.

Spiip's navigator Campbell Field knows all about the intensity of grand prix short-course racing in the 52 Super Series and the FAST40+ Class, and he has been racing on the 112ft sloop for 15 years.

"It was really close racing today, four of the superyachts converged today at the bottom mark, which is a product of having a staggered start. Everybody is in contact on the radio and we all felt safe in what we were doing. It adds an exciting and glamorous element but there is a big focus on keeping these beautiful boats apart to avoid damage. This is different racing to a TP52 but it is still up there, we push ourselves but we have many hundreds of square metres of sail area and we have to treat these boats with a great deal of respect."

The famous Cook Off has always been a feature of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua. The Super Yacht Dock Beach in Nelson's Dockyard becomes an open-kitchen for all of the teams to show off their culinary skills, all with a fancy dress theme. The Cook Off revolves around one dish cooked on a Caribbean Coal Pot, but the crews go much further providing a vast array of food for the party to enjoy. Racing is scheduled to continue on the third day, Saturday 2nd February, with more spectacular action for the magnificent superyachts in Antigua.

For more information: www.superyachtchallengeantigua.com

Related Articles

2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua overall
Close competition and perfect sailing conditions For four exhilarating days, the stunning waters off Antigua played host to the 14th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, bringing together a fleet of majestic yachts, passionate sailors, and an atmosphere charged with competition and camaraderie. Posted on 10 Mar
2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua day 3
Super Saturday and questionable fashion choices The second race of the series was held in superb conditions off the South Coast of Antigua with a light to moderate easterly wind at the start. Posted on 9 Mar
2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua day 2
Sailing skills and paddleboard thrills A tricky first day of racing for the Superyacht Challenge Antigua with 9-13 knots of breeze from the southeast oscillating throughout race-time. Posted on 8 Mar
2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua day 1
Great racing in a thrilling 20-knot breeze from the southeast The 14th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua roared to life on Thursday, 06 March, with a thrilling 20-knot breeze from the southeast. With the wind speed was soaring in the gusts into the high 20s and the Caribbean surf was churning below. Posted on 7 Mar
2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua preview
Ten magnificent superyachts set for world-class racing The 14th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua has attracted ten magnificent superyachts for the exclusive and exhilarating regatta to be held from 5th-9th March 2025. Posted on 3 Mar
2024 Superyacht Challenge Antigua preview
Stan the Man and The Magnificent Seven The 13th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua (SYCA) opens for registration on Monday 11th March with five days of spectacular racing scheduled from 13-17 March. Posted on 3 Mar 2024
Strong interest for Superyacht Challenge Antigua
Looking forward to March next year The Superyacht Cup Palma 2023, Europe's longest-running superyacht regatta, starts tomorrow, 22 June, and all your friends in Antigua wish the superyacht owners, captains and crew a superb regatta! Posted on 21 Jun 2023
Superyacht Challenge Antigua overall
Zig Zag and Action celebrate in Antigua The final race of the 2023 Superyacht Challenge Antigua was held off the South Coast of Antigua on Sunday 12 March. The weather this year was more Mediterranean than Caribbean but the spirit of regatta was unchanged. Posted on 13 Mar 2023
Superyacht Challenge Antigua day 3
The racing was extremely close with the top four boats finishing within four minutes After yesterday's postponement racing was back on at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua on Saturday 11th March. Line Honours was once again taken by the 148ft Dubois sloop Gitana in an elapsed time of 01 hour 57 minutes and 39 secs. Posted on 12 Mar 2023
Superyacht Challenge Antigua day 1
Livin' it up in Antigua The first day of racing at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua was blessed with tropical heat and moderate breeze of 12-15 knots from an unusual westerly wind direction. Posted on 10 Mar 2023
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERRolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTER