With the 38th annual Antigua Sailing Week five days away (24-30 April) and 165 boats registered to date, organisers have finalised details of the Virgin Atlantic Beach Bash, Yachting World has introduced a new trophy for the inaugural Round Island Race, see previous news story here and Sportshows TV returns to give 15 minutes of fame to participants.

Virgin Atlantic Beach Bash

The Virgin Atlantic Beach Bash kicks off as racing finishes at Dickenson Bay on the first day (Sunday 24 April) at 1300 with a water ski demonstration by the Stars of Florida water ski team. Comprised of current or former Cypress Gardens or Sea World of Orlando performers, these American water skiers generally only perform outside the USA and have performed in Europe, South America, the Middle-East and Japan. These seasoned water skiers have performed in all sorts of conditions worldwide and will be performing a range of stunts including flags, front barefoot, slalom, clown, ballet, wakeboard, airchair, back, barefoot, doubles, swan, and the ubiquitous human pyramid.

The Stars of Florida will be followed by a Bath Tub Derby at 1500. The Derby, racing across Dickenson Bay, is open to individuals or teams of up to four people and the craft must be home-made and human-powered; costumes optional. First prize is four economy tickets to London with £400 spending money, second prize is one economy ticket and £100 spending money. There will also be a cash prize of $1000 EC for the Best Virgin Spirit. Entry forms can be picked from the Airport, Skullduggery, the Beach or Big Banana in Antigua.

A karaoke competition complete with costumes to facilitate the transformation to pop star, and tribute band ABBA One from the UK, round out the afternoon’s entertainment. Seaweed the Sea Monster will also be on hand in the kiddies’ area.

Yachting World Trophy

As Antigua Sailing Week’s official media partner and Platinum sponsor Yachting World is presenting a spectacular solid silver punch bowl to the boat with the fastest elapsed time in the inaugural Round Island Race. A solid silver keeper plate is also being presented to the winner as a keepsake.

The 44-mile race, anti-clockwise round the island, will take place on Tuesday 26 April, is open to the three ‘big classes’ – Big Boat 1 and 2 and Racing 3 – and will start and finish off Curtain Bluff.

Fifteen Minutes Of Fame

Antigua Sailing Week will once again be welcoming Sportshows Television to film the official TV programme and DVD of the event. They will be filming throughout the whole regatta and distributing the programme around the world.