Iconic regatta

Next stop on the serious racer’s agenda is the iconic Antigua Sailing Week, 24 April-1 May. Some of the world’s finest yacht racing and post-race social events take crews around to different harbours on the island. The legendary layday and prizegiving are at historical Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour. Plenty of marina and anchorage options here, too.

Meanwhile, non-competitive types can anchor at Gustavia, St Barths, and mingle with the arty crowd at the premier showcase for Caribbean cinema, the St Barth Film Festival, 25-30 April.

At this point, you’ll be thinking about heading north or south, depending on your plans for summer 2010. Either way, there’s another sail-in music festival in store for you.

If heading back to Europe or up to the East Coast of North America, set your course for the BVI with a slight detour for the Anguilla Regatta, 7-9 May. Anchor in Road Bay and you can not only race your own boat, but grab the chance to crew on an indigenous sloop during layday – sailboat racing is Anguilla’s national sport.

Then take in the BVI Music Festival, 24-31 May. Moored in Cane Garden Bay on Tortola, you’ll be on the spot. Arrive early to secure a mooring. If you love wooden yachts, head 11 miles westward and anchor at Great Harbour, Jost van Dyke, for the Caribbean’s only ‘all-wood’ event, Foxy’s Wooden Boat Regatta, 28-30 May.