It was great to see the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta return earlier this month for its 33rd edition after two years of postponements with a few CYOA members in attendance as well.
The regatta started off very windy with gusts over 35 knots for the 22-mile "Old Road" course. Winners in their classes that day were the beautiful 114' staysail schooner Aschanti IV, the classic 36' sloop Alani sailing in her first Classics, traditional Carriacou work boat Genesis, vintage 1936 Seefalke II, Spirit of Tradition 91' yawl Bequia built by our friends at Brooklin Boatyard, the tall ship 157' staysail ketch Chronos and the historic class 44' LJ Windward.
On Saturday, the trade winds were still blowing hard for the 23-mile "Butterfly" course given for the shape the tracks of the boats take weaving off the coastline and back. CYOA Member and 1929 65' Alfred Mylne cutter, The Blue Peter, won the vintage class for the day and the 1973 S&S Swan, Montana beating the rest of the fleet in her historic class. The 91' yawl Bequia once again came first in the Spirit of Tradition class, as did Aschanti IV in the schooner class.
The last race of the series on Sunday was held on the "Windward" 23-mile course and 18 to 20 knots felt calm compared to the previous days' conditions. With clear Caribbean skies, the regatta wrapped with CYOA Member and 65' schooner Juno winning the race and finishing second overall for the regatta.
The other CYOA member in attendance was Ticonderoga who did not walk away empty-handed. Scott Frantz's1936 72' ketch designed by L Francis Herreshoff was the overall winner of the Locman Italy watch for the Concours d'Elegance.
Full results can be seen here. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for more photos, videos, and stories.
