Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta at Antigua Yacht Club - Overall
by Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 20 Apr 07:38 PDT
15-20 April 2026
Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta day 4 © Fraser Edwards
After four days of hard sailing, the crews set off with as much enthusiasm as on day one — though with a touch of sadness, knowing it was the final outing. And yes, I watched them depart from the Hot Spot Café (eggs Royale and espresso).
The yachts sailed the Cannon Course. It's always a favorite of the long keeled wooden boats and today was no different. The yachts headed out on a close reach through perfect trade wind conditions to Cupples, the offshore mark which was set six miles offshore. It was a romping beam reach rack back to Falmouth, near the starting line then back out to Cupples before a reach to the Shirley mark, just off the magnificent rock formation known as the Pillars below Shirley Heights. From there it was downwind to the finish line. The crews came in wet and tired but with smiles on their faces. "It was a magnificent day!" Luc De Clercq, owner of the 114 foot, Camper & Nicholson ketch Saharet of Tyre said. "We had a beautiful sail and a fantastic experience at Classics. We'll be back again next year."
Soon the crews will head home, but today was for celebration. The Parade of Sail was a glorious sight, each boat given its moment to shine for beauty rather than speed. Fully dressed, crews in full voice, sea shanties ringing out — it was less a procession and more a floating festival. Spectators gathered from all over, not just those involved in the regatta. This is, without question, a spectator sport.
On the water, the results reflect a week of close and often hard-fought racing. In the Vintage Class, Charm III sailed away with four first places to take top honours. It was a hard fight for second place. Seefalke II sailed very well all week and came into the final race one point in front of The Blue Peter, sailed by her full Shelter Island Yacht Club crew. The final race saw The Blue Peter take second with Seefalke II third. That gave both yachts ten points with The Blue Peter winning the tie breaker.
The Classic Class was a similar story, with Juno taking first place in all four races and Ashanti just edging out Magnolia for second and Mah Jong just a point back.
In the Traditional Class, Genesis was first with Spirit of Zemi and Arro in a tight race for second. The final race saw Spirit of Zemi finish second and Arro third. That put them in a tie with Spirit of Zemi taking the tie breaker.
In the Legacy Class, Petrana took first. Cherub and Garuda came into the final race tied for second in the series standings. Garuda sailed over the finish line 42 minutes in front of Cherub but Cherub, who is the slowest rated boat in the fleet, corrected out in front to claim second place in the series.
In Modern Classics A, Ilios took a hard fought class win followed by Freya and Lady B. In Modern Class B, Bunglebird claimed the top spot, with Katina and Tangaroa joining her on the podium. Modern Class C sees Blue Peter and her young crew taking first followed by Huey Too and High Tide.
The overall winner goes to the Classic yacht with the lowest corrected time throughout the regatta. Richard West's Charm III came into the final race with a lead of just under four minutes over Scott DiBiaso's Juno. Both boats sailed well in the final race but Charm III did enough to hold off Juno and claims back to back overall wins.
First in Modern Classics went to Tanner Jones' Blue Peter, skippered by his son Carrick. Bunglebird was 12 minutes back followed closely by Huey Too.
With the racing done, attention turned to the serious business of the Rain Gutter Regatta, a benefit for Antigua and Barbuda Search and Rescue. A boisterous crowd gathered to watch the racers blow ten inch long yachts that they had constructed from a bit of pool noodle and some skewers down a water filled rain gutter. The crowd was rocking as the finals between Charm III and Cherub started. Charm got off to a quick start but it was Cherub at the finish line first as their crew sang "Hot Hot Hot".
The final celebration after a week of competition, camaraderie and fun is tonight as the community of sailors at the Classic Regatta gathers one last time at the prize-giving and after party with eyes turning toward Classics 2027.
For more information please visit www.antiguaclassics.com.