Closure for Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta

Antigua (April 22, 2019) – The final race for the 32nd edition of Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, sponsored by LOCMAN, was held off the stunning south coast of Antigua in relativity moderate conditions of 15 knots south of east.

Whilst the breeze had eased from the previous three days of racing, the intensity of the competition was at a crescendo as eight of the classes were decided on the very last race.

In the Classic Schooner Class, Gonzalo Botin’s 54-foot schooner Severine won the last race to take class honours. The 141-foot schooner Columbia, owned by Brian D’Isernia, was runner up and Tom Gallant’s 47-foot schooner Avenger was third.

“Severine was built in 1993 and she is a replica of a 1927 two-masted gaff schooner designed by Alden,” commented Gonzalo, a member of the famous Botin family from Santander, Spain. “I saw her for the first time in 2003, before I competed in the Mini-Transit, and I loved her from first sight.

“She is a lovely little schooner, really beautiful. This is the first time Severine has raced at Classics, it is a lovely regatta, full of tradition, and we have loved coming here and racing with the other beautiful yachts.

“Most of the crew have raced with me on the Class40 Tales, so it has been really good to be able to do all of the manoeuvres and sail changes with such an experienced crew. When you are cruising you take it a lot easier!

“After the regatta, we will sail to Columbia, and then through the Panama Canal to the Pacific, we aim to meet up with Adix (the 213-foot three-masted schooner, owned by the Botin family) in Tahiti, and sail the Pacific on to New Zealand for the 49er Worlds, where my son, Diego Botin will be competing.”

In the Historic Class, Jonty & Vicki Layfield’s 1972 S&S Swan 48 Sleeper, finished the regatta off in style, winning the last race, to remain undefeated in four races. There was a three way tie for second place as Geoffrey Pidduck’s 1907 Six Metre Biwi Magic took the runner-up spot on countback from Tommy Paterson’s Yachting World Diamond Rita, skippered by Tanner Jones. Markus Bocks’ 1972 S&S Swan 48 Montana was out of luck, finishing just off the podium.

There were two more windward leeward races for the Dragon Class today as Rocco Falcone’s Antigua Yacht Club youth team won the first race to clinch the regatta win. Phil Hopton’s team, also representing the AYC, won the last race, to win a close battle for second in the regatta. Gluca Perego’s team representing YC Cortina, scored a 3-5 today to take third for the six-race series.

The Vintage Schooner Class was decided by countback when Richard West’s 1928 50-foot schooner Charm III won the last race, to win from Gerald Rainer’s 1926 53-foot Herreschoff schooner Mary Rose. Cameron Riddell’s 1939 115-foot schooner Eros was third.

The Vintage Other Sail Plan Class went to the wire, Mathew Barker’s 1929 65-foot Alfred Mylne sloop The Blue Peter, won today’s race. However, the class winner for the regatta, by a single point was the 1936 41-foot Rasmussen sloop Seefalke II, skippered by Oliver Greensmith. Carlo Falcone’s 1938 79-foot Alfred Mylne yawl Mariella was runner-up for the regatta, and The Blue Peter was third.

Skipper and owner of Blue Peter, Mathew Barker, was celebrating his birthday today with his crew who nearly all come from London, UK.

“The Blue Peter crew gave me the best birthday present ever – a race win!” laughed Barker, who has been racing classics for 20 years. “It’s always the same, by the end of the regatta, the crew who are guests on board, have gotten really good at their jobs, and they were brilliant today! Now I am a father I behave myself a lot more in the evenings, but maybe tonight that will change because we have babysitters.”

In Classics Other Sail Plan, the Frary family racing their 58-foot ketch Aarluuk, finished the regatta with a perfect four bullets. The 1957 52-foot yawl Mah Jong, skippered by Alex Goldhill, was second. The 1965 53-foot S&S yawl Hilaria was third for the regatta.

In the Spirit of Tradition Class, Chloe & Mike Hough’s Spirit 64.5 Chloe Giselle won today’s race to win the class. Second in today’s race lifted Blackfish to second for the regatta by a single point, the 49-foot Jim Taylor sloop is owned by Carolyn and Commodore Ron Zarrella from the Great Harbor Yacht Club. Alexis Lepesteur’s 80-foot sloop Volterra, designed by German Frers and John Alden, made the podium for the regatta.

In the Traditional Class, Alexis Andrews’ Genesis, built by Alwyn Enoe, won today’s race to win the class. Charles Morgan’s Sweetheart, built by Zepharin McLaren, was very much in the running, but a broken boom led to the team’s retirement from the last race, resulting in second for the regatta. Charlotte & Billy Hooijdonk’s New Moon, designed by Bernard Compton, was second today and third in class.

In the Classic GRP Class, Astrid Deeth go the last laugh, winning the race as skipper of the 33-foot Bruce King sloop Iris J. Brother Paul Deeth, racing the 1965 50-foot John Alden ketch Petrana, was second today but first in class for the regatta. Juerg Zimmermann’s 1969 40-foot William Tripp Yawl Lazy Leg was third.

In the Tall Ships Class, Chronos, skippered by Ingo Martens, won the battle of the Klaus Röder 157-foot schooners, just ahead of Rhea skippered by Nico Goettert. The 188-foot Hoek designed schooner Athos, with Boat Captain Tony Brookes was third.

A special mention must go to one of the finest yachts to grace ‘Classics this year, the 1936 72-foot ketch Eilean, skippered by Stefano Valente.

“For me Eilean is a most elegant boat,” smiled Valente. “With all her sails up, it is great to sail her, here in Antigua. I have sailed her for nine years, and she is amazing every day. Racing her in trade winds is scary sometimes, you feel the power of the boat, she is very fast but we don’t push too hard, as we want to keep the boat as safe as possible.

“Eilean has sailed a lot of miles in the last year, including a passage to Mexico. She will be shipped to London, England before returning to the Mediterranean via Portugal. She will eventually return to her home in Viareggio, Tuscany, for a well deserved holiday and a refit.”

With the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta coming to a close, tomorrow will be the Gig Racing & Cream Tea Party at the Admiral’s Inn, Nelson’s Dockyard.

The 32nd edition of Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta was held on April 18-22.

Event details – Results – Facebook

Source: Louay Habib