Already, 95 yachts from 24 different countries are entered for Antigua Sailing Week
with many more expected over the coming weeks. Without doubt Antigua Sailing Week
is one of the most international regattas anywhere in the world with entries from:
Antigua, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Canada, France, Germany, Guadeloupe, Great
Britain, Grenada, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia,
St.Barths, St. Lucia, Sweden, Trinidad, USA, the US Virgin Islands and Venezuela.
Many of the yachts have been pitting their wits against each other at several regattas
throughout the Caribbean season but none of them have sailed as many miles as the
Lithuanian entry, Ambersail. After competing at Antigua Sailing Week last year,
the team from Lithuanian set off on an incredible journey, sailing the Volvo 60
all the way to Australia to compete in the Sydney Hobart Race. After completing
the iconic race, Ambersail sailed right back to Antigua via Cape Horn for the third
time in four years, to take part in Antigua Sailing Week.
Simonas Steponavièius, skipper of Ambersail, spoke about the team whilst testing
out their new index sail off English Harbour, Antigua:
"Ambersail was formed in 2009 to celebrate 1,000 years of Lithuanian history and
to show how the country had changed since the break up of the Soviet Union. Today
Ambersail is a household name and offers fantastic sailing opportunities to the
many world-class Lithuanian sailors, but all of the crew have regular jobs. We do
corporate events to fund the boat but we are essentially an amateur crew. Only the
boat captain, Linkus, is full time. Ambersail has sailed over 150,000 miles since
2009 and we never ship the boat. I can't think of another race boat that does so
many miles.
"We raced at Antigua Sailing Week last year and it is great to be back in Antigua.
It is one of the best events in the world with very good organisation and perfect
conditions for us; we love big breeze and waves and I would say Antigua Sailing
Week's slogan - Where sailing comes first - is very true; the conditions and courses
are intense and our boat just fires up in the beautiful sea around Antigua", continued
Steponavièius.
Sand Mair's Beneteau 35, Cricket may not have sailed as many miles as Ambersail
but the Antiguan boat has certainly been doing the miles this season. Sandy has
raced the boat all over the Caribbean this year including events in Antigua, Barbados,
Guadeloupe, Grenada, BVI and St. Maarten.
"Well I am not getting any younger so I thought I would do as many regattas as I
can this year as you never know when your knees are finally going to go!", laughed
the amiable Scot who seems to have lived in Antigua since before Nelson arrived
in the Dockyard. "We try our best at every regatta but Cricket is not exactly optimised
for racing and I don't think I'm going to be selected for the Olympics at my age
but we are having so much fun, not only at the regattas but sailing in between,
as Cricket goes everywhere on her keel. I can think of no better way of finishing
the season than back home in Antigua for Antigua Sailing Week. It will be a great
way to finish a fantastic year."
Philippe Falle's Grand Soleil 43, Quokka will be competing this year. His Deep
Blue Racing Team will race the highly competitive performance cruiser. Philippe
has been coming to Antigua Sailing Week for many years and this year has decided
to make a very generous offer!
"I love coming to Antigua and this year I firmly believe that we have a really good
chance of winning our class. The people of Antigua have been incredibly kind-hearted
to me over the years and I thought it high time I repaid their generosity. In recent
years, sailing has been very well promoted in Antigua and I have admired the skills
of many of the local sailors. However, I know that racing on big boats is not always
available to them.
"There are three places left on board Quokka for Antigua Sailing Week and I have
decided to offer one place to a talented Antiguan to boost the team. Karl James,
head coach of Antigua's National Sailing Academy will make the choice and I will
be delighted to welcome his selection to race with Quokka all week."
Antigua Sailing Week is now only three weeks away. There is a vast array of charter
opportunities still available for individuals or groups. For yachts wishing to take
part, there is plenty of room for dockage and mooring in Falmouth and English Harbours,
so get your entry in now for the Caribbean sailing season's Grand Finale - Antigua
Sailing Week!
Press Office | Antigua Sailing Week | Antigua | Antigua and Barbuda
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