Casual Racing, Serious Fun

The greatest obstacle to increasing participation in regattas is the requirements to compete. For many people, it’s not that they don’t enjoy racing; it’s the investment of time and money required to be competitive may exceed the benefit gained.

To overcome this obstacle, Antigua Sailing Week 2017 on April 30 to May 5 has launched their new Club Class which is open to sailors who want to participate in the regatta, but who take their racing a little less seriously than others.

“The intent of the Class is to make Antigua Sailing Week more accessible to less serious racers at a lower cost,” said event chair Kathy Lammers. “It’s designed for those, who want to have fun while participating in the on-the-water action.”

The Class has a reduced entry fee and will be scored using a Progressive Handicapping system. All entrants will be provided with a CSA (Caribbean Sailing Association) Simplified Rating prior to the first day of racing.

After racing, the results program will calculate the speed of each boat relative to every other boat and individual ratings will be adjusted accordingly, on a daily basis, and expressed as a performance index.

The indices will be averaged from race to race and the averages will become new TCFs for the next race. The calculation is based on an internationally recognized and used program and will not be subjective.

All Club Class participants must accept the Progressing Handicapping procedures. Otherwise, they would be more suited to a CSA racing class. Acceptance of entries into the Club Class is solely at the discretion of the Organizing Authority.

There will be one race per day for the Class. Only single headsail with or without pole will be allowed. No downwind sails, including mizzen staysails, are acceptable.

There are, however, no restrictions on participants during the Lay Day Beach Party. After casual racing, it could be time to get serious during the beach body competitions for women AND men, drinking games, tug o’ war and the night’s festivities.

Event details – Club Class Rules