Prizes and parties wrap up Antigua Sailing Week

English Harbour, Antigua (May 5, 2017) – Classic trade wind conditions prevailed for the final day of Antigua Sailing Week, serving up one last helping of awesome yacht racing. There were some shock results today, resulting in a number of teams having the possibility of winning the big one – The 50th edition of Antigua Sailing Week’s Lord Nelson Trophy.

One of the favourites for the Lord Nelson Trophy, Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48, Scarlet Oyster was called over the line at the start and did not return for some time. However, the Scarlet Oyster team rolled up its sleeves picking off the opposition one-by-one to scrape back into second position.

Jonty Layfield’s Swan 48, Sleeper X took the gun and the race win, but Scarlet Oyster is CSA 5 champion. In other hot classes, Sergio Sagramoso’s Melges 32, Lazy Dog scored its fourth bullet. Bajan TP52, Conviction, skippered by Clint Brooks scored its seventh win, as did Maxi, Kialoa III and Sir Peter Harrison’s Super Maxi, Sojana.

There were also other prizes to win, including three of the CSA Class winners and Bareboat One, which were hanging in the balance.

In the last race of Antigua Sailing Week, Mike Cannon & Neil Harvey’s KHS&S Contractors came second in Bareboat One to Don Clement’s Texas Outhaul in a terrific race, won by the Texas team by just eight seconds. Mareike Guhr’s KH+P Maxwell was third.

Winning the Dream Yacht Charter Trophy and one week Bareboat charter from Antigua was KHS&S Contractors from Florida, USA. “The team has won multiple times all over the Caribbean, but this was its first trip as a team to Antigua Sailing Week,” commented Mike Cannon. “I cannot believe how good this experience has been.”

In CSA 7, Ferron & Byerley’s J/39, Micron 99 Lord Jim needed to make up a 1.5 point deficit to Sir Bobbie Velasquez’s First 45, L’Esperance to win CSA 7. Effectively, Micron 99 Lord Jim had to win the last race and hope L’Esperance was third or lower – and their dreams came true! Micron 99 Lord Jim won the last race by just two seconds from Martin Oldroyd’s First 40.7, Ortac, with L’Esperance third by just 24 seconds.

In CSA 8, Steve Carson’s Dehler 33, Hightide won the last race of the regatta to secure the class win. Raymond Magras’ St. Barths team racing Speedo Nemo was second in the race and Sandy Mair’s First 35, Cricket was third.

In CSA 9, Neil Styler’s Oyster 49, Porthmeor scored its third win of the regatta in the final race, but it was not quite enough to win the class. Eduardo Lentz’s Sun Odyssey 44, Voilactus was second. Rodney Dodd’s Jeanneau 54 Blue Fin was third, enough to win the class by a point.

At the Final Awards Ceremony in historic Nelson’s Dockyard, it was Sergio Sagramoso’s Melges 32 from Puerto Rico that was the recipient of the 2017 Lord Nelson Trophy. “It is really amazing,” smiled Sergio. “I am so proud. The Lazy Dog team will always remember this moment; this is why we do it. This was the toughest regatta I have ever been to with eight races and a very high level of competition.”

Winning the Big Banana Trophy for Best Caribbean Yacht and the Grant Thornton Trophy for Best Boat Overall in CSA 7-9 was Cary Byerley and Sir Robbie Ferron’s Micron 99 Lord Jim from St. Maarten. The team had to overcome a 1.5 point deficit in the last race to their long term rivals, Sir Bobby Velasquez and his St. Maarten team racing L’Esperance. They went on to achieve victory by just two seconds!

“Two seconds and half a point; shockingly dramatic,” commented Sir Robbie Ferron. “I could never believe it would be that close. In all my years, I have never won a regatta like that and I doubt if anyone else has. For the last three years, I have been racing against Bobbie in many regattas and we have always just missed out. I have great respect for him so we have a great ambience. Reflecting on how Antigua Sailing Week had evolved, this regatta has done the right things for the competitors and it is getting the appropriate response. Sailors are enjoying the experience and that is why it has such a great turnout and I believe that the momentum will continue beyond the 50th regatta.”

And then, the final party was played out by the amazing Antiguan band, Asher Otto & Itchy Feet.

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Source: Event Media