On behalf of the Antigua Yacht Club, I welcome you all to our shores once again for the 22nd edition of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Thanks to Kenny Coombs and his team, this event continues to hold a special place in the racing calendar and is truly a world class event. The 'army' of people who, year after year, volunteer their time to help out in any way they can bears testament to the special place this Regatta holds in the hearts of the people from both Antigua and overseas. This must be partly due to the fact that there can be no more awesome sight than so many yachts of classic looks out on the water and the tremendous effort that is put in by their owners and crews to keep them in such splendid condition. They are all quite unique - from the smallest last year at 24ft to the largest at 147ft.
The character of this Regatta could not be better expressed than by the winners of last year's 'Spirit of the Regatta' trophy - a Kim Holman-designed 28ft sloop called Pouncer. She was sailed across from the UK by three women with the main intent of - just once - competing in this Regatta. They sailed their hearts out - and came last every day!!! They all had the time of their lives and their enjoyment of the whole experience was a joy to see. After the Regatta, they sailed the boat back to the UK and took up their daily lives again - having achieved their main ambition to race in the Antigua Classics.
The Yacht Club, with a mostly new executive committee, has had a busy year. We have invested heavily in our Dinghy Programme and in particular, our Youth Sailing Programme with the aim of enthusing as many adults and children as possible with a passion for sailing. Someday hopefully, many of these will move onto bigger boats and become officers and crew on some of the beautiful classic yachts that race here each year. Not only is the Club growing both its membership and its activities, but the members have approved a plan to move the Club to the ground floor of the building after the 2008/9 season. For the 2010 Regatta we will, therefore, be able to improve our infrastructure and to make sure this Regatta continues to hold its unique place in the yearly calendar.
The Registration Desk for the Regatta is located upstairs at the Yacht Club and will be open from 09:00 hrs on Tuesday 14th April. The Official Programme, racing and social schedules and general information will be available there. Antigua Yacht Club merchandise may be purchased at the AYC office while Classic Yacht Regatta merchandise will be available at the booth on the AYC's car park.
Fair winds and following seas!
Elizabeth Jordan
Commodore
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