An action packed Regatta with a variety of party nights brought together sailors, visitors and residents of Jolly Harbour for an unparalleled weekend. Entries came from seventeen mixed class boats. The Olympic designed courses had been fine-tuned for more challenging racing, starting outside Five Islands Bay.

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The events commenced Friday late afternoon with Registration and delicious canapés provided by the Yacht Club to keep the hungry crews replete during the skippers briefing. Drinks were available from 3.00pm at Happy Hour prices from a well-stocked, pop up bar, outside Al Porto Restaurant set up on the green.

Saturday racing started early with most boats testing the waters by 9.00am, all ready for a 10.00am gun. Over 110 sailors took part in the perfect weather conditions with 18 knot wind gusts. Boats were competing in three classes. Class 1: Liquid, Phoenix, Regardless, Sleeper, Spirit and Valiant; Class 2: Blue Peter, Cricket, Full Monty and Spirit of Athena, Class 3: Elethea, Imagine of Falmouth, LJ Windward, Miss Bliss, PIMS, Seal and Volaré. Day one consisted of four races around a course of three pillar marks, run from the Committee Boat and either Windward/Leeward or Triangle courses set.

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At close of racing on Saturday the leaders were Class 1: Sleeper and Spirit (joint), Class 2: Blue Peter and Class 3: Elethea.

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Saturday post-racing everyone gathered at Al Porto Restaurant where Happy Hour drinks were served once again from 3.00pm, a fabulous pizza or pasta for EC50 per person including a glass of wine was served and dancing until late to the island party band “1761 Degrees”.

 

Sunday morning bought 21 knots and more perfect sailing conditions with east, north-east winds. Three exhilarating races ensued around the Olympic style courses with the finishing flag drawn down at 3.00pm.

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His Excellency, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams KGN, GCMG, was introduced by JHYC Commodore Grahame Williams. He presented the prizes and in his speech he praised the organisers, sponsors and the participants for entering the challenging regatta, sailing being a key part of Antigua’s tourist industry.

 

Results were Class 1: 1st - Sleeper, 2nd - Spirit, 3rd - Valiant; Class 2: 1st - Blue Peter, 2nd - Cricket, 3rd - Full Monty and Class 3: 1st - Elethea, 2nd - Seal, 3rd - LJ Windward. The winner of the Sun General Insurance Trophy for the most 1st places was presented to Blue Peter and the Absolute Properties Trophy for the best overall boat was presented to Sleeper.

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The major sponsors of the event were Absolute Properties Antigua, Sun General Insurance, Budget Marine, Sea Hawk Premium Yacht Finishes and North Sails. Local shops around the Jolly Harbour Marina, restaurants and businesses from Jolly Harbour and the wider Antigua community donated prizes.

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Full results are available on the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club Website www.jhycantigua.com along with 157 photographs in the photo gallery courtesy of photographer Henry Trembecki. All photographs copyright Henry Trembecki (email: henry@trembecki.co.uk) but free for non commercial use. For hi definition copies of any of the photos, please contact Henry.

 

The date for the next Valentine’s Regatta is: Friday Feb 14 to Sunday Feb 16, 2020.

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