And if you have never double-clicked on a photo to enlarge it, now would be a real good time to do that ......... What an incredible experience to be out there on the water, and to see such magnificent yachts in action ........ There were sloops, yawls, ketches and schooners of every shape and size, and most with crews too many to count ............ And when so many yachts come together at the rounding of the mark, well, it gives you goose bumps just to watch it, even if the temperature is in the 90s ................. We took friends out on "ARITA" to just beyond the first mark on Day 1, about six miles offshore and sat there in splendour with all our flags up ......... There was no excuse for not seeing the mark ......... One yacht with jambed gear, blew his siren at us to get out of the way ............. The second race we watched from the cliff top on a really grey day, and for the third race we went out again with friends on the catamaran "KUHELA", to watch and take more photos and video ...........So, with about 2800 photos and a bunch of videos, here's a little 'taste' ......... Just let us know if you need the 'full meal' ..........
Motoring out past the start line ............. Lorry Clark took the photo from the top of the hill .............. Somewhere out there six miles away is one the turning marks in the triangular course ...
The races were divided into classes appropriate to size and design, making allowances or penalties for being true vintage, built in the 'Spirit of Tradition', or simply wood with modern underbodies and designed for speed ........... It takes quite a bit of wind to push a beautiful yacht like " ELENA " which displaces 220 tonnes ........ But nothing beats the spectacle of the J-class yachts that were built in the 1930s ...
Just double-click on the schooner " ELENA " to see this beautiful vessel in detail ...
The event's finale was a parade through English Harbour by the yachts and their crews ........... No wonder they have washer/dryers on board to take care of all those uniforms ........ What a spectable of colour ........... What a display of superb carftsmanship ........... What an embarrassing exhibition of wealth ......... Ah, well ....... Back to thinking about polishing up our own stainless steel, now that it is all over .......
Oh, and we may have forgotten to mention that after every race there was a huge party on shore with free liquor ............ "LIQUOR IS QUICKER" ........ Very appropriate when it comes to Mount Gay rum punch ....... Mount Gay did a great job with their sponsorship and helping everybody out with caps, backpacks and T-shirts .......... And also there were parties before and after the whole event, which is why it was so good of us to be sitting out there at the mark ........ Made it easy for the other sailors to find it ......... The mark, that is ......
Yes, ........ It's us, still standing, despite the parties and late night street wanderings with friends from that beautiful schooner "AMOEBA" ............
2 comments:
This Antigua Classic Regatta is listed in the 1000 things to do before you die, we were fortunate to be able to spend time on Arita with Rob & Lauren. Oh what a time it was. It was thrilling, exhilerating breathtaking ans all those other descriptive words.
Thank you Rob & Lauren for such a memorable time.
Better late than never!!
Trying to reach the owners of the schooner Arita. I own Wanda a 1922 Ted Geary and am looking to purchase a schooner. email actr@att.net.
thanks to all who assist!
Andrew
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