It’s five months until Antigua Sailing Week and, according to the race organisers, entries are coming in thick and fast. In fact, compared to this time last year there are over twice the number of entries received.
 
Antigua Sailing Week has always attracted the big boats. Italian Marco Rodolfi’s Swan 80, Berenice (pictured) was one of the first to enter. Rodolfi is a highly experienced sailor, having competed in the Farr 40 Class and numerous Swan Worlds, but Berenice is brand new. The magnificent Swan 80 was the first of its kind to be built by Nautor’s Swan and is heading for the Caribbean in the ARC.
 
Adrian Lee’s Cookson 50, Lee Overlay Partners, is back to defend the Ocean Series Trophy. Adrian wouldn’t miss the opportunity to race at what he describes as a “real one-off”.
 
“Lee Overlay Partners campaign is exclusively focused on offshore racing, the marathon race versus the sprint. It is a unique part of the sport and The Antigua Sailing Week’s Ocean Series allows us to take part in one of the best sailing regattas in the world and maintain our offshore roots.”
 
“The Ocean Series is a real one-off, you get the thrill of sailing offshore, surfing down waves and the added benefit of returning back to Antigua each evening, to enjoy the shoreside activities and sleep in a comfortable bed. The Ocean Series satisfies all the aspects I love about sailing; skill, technology, experience and teamwork and a lot of persistence. Ocean racing around Antigua is great fun; constant Trade Winds eliminate a lot of the ‘crap shoot’ that often plagues offshore events in cyclonic regions. I feel it’s a much fairer test and the sunshine helps a lot too!”
 
The event is still very popular with the smaller boats too. Bernie Evan-Wong, a dentist from Antigua, explained: “I believe this will be my 29th regatta and I can safely say no two sailing weeks have ever been the same. The 2011 edition promises to be more friendly to the smaller boats and crews as you can race, win and still have energy to come ashore after wards.”
 
More entries are expected, with interest coming from: Tom and Dot Hill’s Reichel Pugh 75, Titan 15; Richard Matthews brand new Humphreys 54, Oystercatcher XXVII; and The British Army Sailing Association’s A40, British Soldier.
 
Book the end of April in your diary for Antigua Sailing Week. For information, charter opportunities and on-line entry, visit www.sailingweek.com.

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