Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Programme 2020

PHOTOGRAPH BY MSRTHA BLANCHFIELD

The Antigua Yacht Club presents the 33rd Annual

LOCMAN WATCHES ITALY PAUL&SHARK MOUNT GAY RUM ZAOLI SAILS ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB MARINA MILL REEF YACHT CLUB CARIB BEER DIGICEL THE INN AT ENGLISH HARBOUR SAILING CLASSICS LYMAN-MORSE SOUFRIÈRE SPRING WATER CLASSIC BOAT MAGAZINE WOODENBOAT MAGAZINE ANTIGUA SLIPWAY CHIPPY FINE YACHT WOODWORK

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For a list of authorized retailers, visit www.locman.com BOUTIQUE LOCMAN IN ANTIGUA: Yacht Club Marina, Falmouth Harbour.

Proud Gold Sponsor of the 2020 Regatta

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DISTRIBUTED BY BRYDENS ANTIGUA

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SAILING-CLASSICS ... sailing and more

Sailing holidays and crossings Authentic sailing trips aboard KAIRÓS (38 m), CHRONOS and RHEA (54 m) Cabin or Full Charter — Caribbean, Mediterranean, Atlantic — comfort and service by professional crew

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TEAMWORK, PASSION AND DEDICATION Every step of the wooden boat building or restoration process is either done in-house or in close collaboration with other local specialty craftsmen at Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway, Vineyard Haven. Team work is of the essence, harmoniously combining the efforts of expert shipwrights, riggers, cabinetmakers, painters, mechanics, pattern-makers, metal and foundry workers, sail makers, and more. The stunning vessels emerging from this dedicated and passionate boatyard are a true testament to the talents of its founders, Nat Benjamin and Ross Gannon and their partner, Brad Abbott.

Thanks to Gannon and Benjamin, the Antigua Classics has enjoyed such beauties as Juno, Rebecca of Vineyard Haven, Eleda, and more recently, Mah Jong. Another example of custom restoration is of the superb 45ft S&S yawl, Revonoc, (ex. Pilgrim), a 1946 Nevins built yawl, pictured here. This process included extensive work to the fo’c’sle, owner’s cabin, head, main saloon, deck hatches and cabin-top, along with mechanical repairs and upgrades. Her keel timber, stern post, and horn timber were replaced with Angelique timbers, all done while still preserving the shape of the boat.

PHOTOGRAPH BY TYLER FIELDS

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

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ANTIGUAN TALENT IN THE SAILING WORLD:

Rhone Kirby GILLY GOBINET

Now in his early 20s, Rhone Kirby started sailing around 14 years ago. At that time, his Aunt Joyce was in charge of Dockside Liquors at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, and Rhone would hang out there, watching the boats. One summer he saw an Optimist Camp for young, aspiring sailors – it looked fun and easy and could he join in too?

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PHOTOGRAPH BY TED MARTIN

It turned out to be not so easy after all: he capsized and was rescued by the instructor who told him that if he really wanted to learn to sail, he should take the boat back to the dock himself. Rhone rose to the challenge. This incident made him all the more determined to master his sailing skills. He started sailing with friends first then the instructor’s younger brother, Jamal, taught him the basics. He then became a regular at the youth Saturday morning races, during which he learned how to race, the tactics involved, and everything a professional sailor needed to know, as Rhone had decided that this was what he wanted to be. He has never looked back…

Having progressed to Lasers, his first major event was the Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta, where he represented Antigua twice, followed by the Youth Olympics.

It was then he started racing on the bigger boats (on local boat Liquid he was tactician and was thrilled when she came second in class) in both Antigua Sailing Week and the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. In the latter he remembers Gaia in 2011, Saphaedra in 2013, and Charm III in 2017, which he enjoyed very much. In 2019 he was part of the winning Dragon crew on Rendezvous. None of the four crew had sailed on Dragons before, but they worked together really well as a team and Rhone was very happy with the experience.

In the meantime he has honed his coaching skills for young local sailors learning to race Optimists, and is now their main

coach for that class. He accompanied the Antiguan team to Chile for the Optimist South American Championship in December 2018, where they didn’t do too badly considering it was a first time for them all – and there was no wind! He thought they also did very well at the Optiworlds, hosted by the Antigua Yacht Club in July 2019, as apart from various equipment failures, they lacked the international experience that most of the participants had.

Rhone was taken on by the Antigua Yacht Club in December 2018 as an Instructor since when he has been coaching local kids and teaching them the elements – and joys - of sailing.

He thinks international experience is very important but this is not always easy due to the costs involved regarding travel, accommodation, equipment as well as entry fees. Many would-be participants have to find sponsors and/or fundraise the best they can, and the Antigua Yacht Club is also able to help under certain circumstances.

And Rhone’s hopes for the future? To race on more of the high-tech boats in Antigua Sailing Week. In 2016, he was given the opportunity of crewing on Tony Langley’s TP52 Gladiator, which was an amazing experience for him.

A youth-to-keel boat sailing programme was launched in 2018 and Rhone crewed on Black Pearl. We wish him every success for the future and hope that his hopes and dreams are fulfilled.

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CONTRIBUTORS

The Classics Committee greatly appreciates all the generous contributions from the photographers and authors mentioned below, without whom this Programme would not be possible.

www.DenPhillipsPhotos.com den@denphillipsphotos.com +44(0)7957 856242

Gary Brown is a Journo/Broadcaster. For 10 years editor of All At Sea Magazine (Caribbean). Photographer. Author of Caribbean High & Caribbean Deep; Biscay: Our Ultimate Storm. www.garyebrown.net Jude Harrison ran a series of boats named Dione with her husband for over 35 years, many being used as Committee Boats for the Antigua Classics. Antigua is now their home base. captain@dionesky.com Allan Aflak has been photographing sailing regattas in his native Antigua for more than 25 years. Owner of Island Photo, Antigua’s largest photo-related and framing business allanaflak@gmail.com +1(268)4641163 Anna-Karin Sundquist is a Swedish designer, artist and photographer and writes for sailing magazines. She has a particular love for classic yachts. www.sailunicorn.com anna@sailunicorn.com

George Bekris is a talented Yachting and Sailing Photographer based on the Connecticut shoreline in the USA. www.georgebekris.com

Matt Murphy is Editor of WoodenBoat Publications Matt@woodenboat.com Ethan M Tucker is Principal at Mint Media - design.mobilize. transform - www.mintdesign.media

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Daisy d’Isernia is in business development for ESG Inc., and is the General Manager of the Schooner Columbia. Her job affords her opportunities and access to photograph her favorite photography subjects the crew of the Schooner Columbia, and Columbia herself. daisy@easternshipbuilding.com Susan Elliot Beatty – Secretary of the International Optimist Dinghy Association – regattasecretary@optiworld. org susaneliotbeatty@gmail.com Tyler Fields is a keen sailor and photographer https://www.facebook.com/TylerFieldsPhotography https://www.instagram.com/tylerfields_photography https://www.facebook.com/TylerJFields tyler.fields86@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPH BY TOBIAS STOERKLE

PUBLISHERS The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Programme is published annually by the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (ACYR), Antigua Yacht Club, Falmouth Harbour, Antigua. +1 (268) 460 1799 info@antiguaclassics.com www.antiguaclassics.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jane Stark seamistgraphics@gmail.com EDITOR & ADVERTISING: Gilly Gobinet +1(268)4646084 gillygobinet@me.com All rights reserved. Written permission is required for reproduction of all or part of this publication. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the contents, the ACYR cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The advertising content and the claims and opinions expressed therein are the sole responsibility of the individual advertisers.The views and statements made in any of the articles or listings are also the responsibility of the respective authors.

This Programme is printed on environmentally-friendly paper certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC).

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ACYR 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS

12 Antiguan Talent in the Sailing World: Rhone Kirby 14 Contributors 17 Schedule of Events 18 Welcome from the Governor General 19 Welcome from the Commodore 21 Words from the Chairman 22 Sponsors 26 Race Maps 27 Regatta Information 28 Safety on the Water 29 Thanks to our Volunteers 30 Captains of the Yachting Industry – Gilly Gobinet 32 What is a Classic?

34 Spirit of Tradition Class 38 Single-Handed Race – Gilly Gobinet 40 Concours d’Elégance – Jan Hein 43 Avenger – Lucy Tulloch 46 The Dragon Class: a roaring success – Gilly Gobinet 48 The Schooner Man: Seth Salzmann – Jan Hein 52 The Magic of Charm III – Jude Harrison 54 Arrluuk – Robin Stout 57 Blackfish: Symbol of Power and Strength – Jane Coombs 60 Antiguan trailblazer in the sailing world: Karl James – Susan Elliot Beatty 62 From Barn-find to Beautiful – Jane Coombs 63 The Greatest Show on Earth – Matthew P. Murphy 66 Mythical Morgaine – Jude Harrison 68 Sailing Schools – Robin Stout 70 2019 Entries 72 Trophy Winners

by Ed Whiting Ocean Star and The Blue Peter COVER IMAGE

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ED WHITING

Schedule of Events 2020 NB All events, except for the Gig Racing, Cream Teas and the Friday Party will take place at the Antigua Yacht Club WEDNESDAY 1st APRIL 0900-1800hrs - Arrival, Registration & Inspections (Upstairs at the Antigua Yacht Club Events Centre) All skippers must register to receive important information, including course maps. No registrations are accepted after 1800 hrs 1800 hrs – Welcome Party on the lawn of the Antigua Yacht Club THURSDAY 2nd APRIL

0900-1200 hrs – Judging of the Concours d’Elégance 1200 hrs – Skippers’ Briefing for the Single-Handed Race 1400 hrs – CLASSIC SINGLE-HANDED RACE 1700 hrs – Skippers’ Briefing for Main Races From 1800 hrs – Concours Prize Giving and Single-Handed Race Prize Giving 2000 hrs – Sea Shanty Competition

FRIDAY 3rd APRIL

1000 hrs – RACE 1 1700 hrs – Ocean Beat: The Festival – Presented by Mount Gay Rum and Carib at Nelson’s Dockyard

SATURDAY 4th APRIL

1000 hrs – RACE 2 PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL KAHN

2000 hrs – Open Mic Night at the Antigua Yacht Club SUNDAY 5th APRIL

1000 hrs – RACE 3 1330 hrs – Parade of the Classics in English Harbour in front of Slipway and Classic Vehicle Rendezvous – Nelson’s Dockyard

MONDAY 6th APRIL

1000 hrs – RACE 4 2100 hrs – Prize Giving at the Antigua Yacht Club

TUESDAY 7th APRIL

1400 hrs – Gig Racing at the Admiral’s Inn 1500 hrs – Cream Teas at the Admiral’s Inn

Any changes to the events listed above together with a full schedule of parties, social events and activities will be available at Registration, the Skippers’ Briefing, via Social Media, on notice boards and on our Website

www.antiguaclassics.com 17

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA “The Greatest Show on Earth” is how the Publisher of the illustrious WoodenBoat Magazine described our wonderful Regatta when he took part last year…and who are we to contradict him? I join Lady Williams in extending a hearty welcome to all those taking part in the 2020 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, be they captains or crews, regulars or first-time participants, and, of course, our loyal band of faithful volunteers, many of whom sail here specially to help make this spectacular event the success it always is.

We welcome back in particular the mighty Ticonderoga as well as the magnificent Nordwind. Trophy-winner Freya is the beautiful new entry owned by a local Classics enthusiast, with other stunning classic and vintage boats taking part for the first time.

Last year the Dragon class made a come-back to great acclaim, with four young Antiguans pipping the older, more experienced crews, at the post; we are delighted that this exciting and highly competitive class is now an integral part of the Regatta.

We are sure you will enjoy Antigua’s ideal sailing conditions against the historic background of English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard and look forward to seeing you next year.

Sincerely, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams KGN GCMG KSTJ MBBS, PHD(H.C) Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda

ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK 25TH APRIL TO 1ST MAY 2020

PHOTOGRAPH BY DEN PHILLIPS

Race, chase and celebrate with us at Antigua Sailing Week (ASW) in 2020. Positioned at the tail end of the Caribbean sailing season, ASW maintains its popularity for great racing and great entertainment. Whether you are a member of a highly-trained crew on a state of the art race boat, family racing, cruising or a spectator taking part in the surrounding festivities, it has become a bucket list event for many - an opportunity to experience racing excellence amongst the most beautiful of landscapes. Don’t miss the Peters & May Round Antigua Race the day before ASW and open to all classes and designs. Both events are guaranteed to be challenging and exhilarating for everyone involved. For the full schedule visit www.sailingweek.com 18

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALEXIS ANDREWS

WELCOME FROM THE COMMODORE OF THE ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICHARD SHERMAN

The Members and Board of Directors would like to welcome you all back to Antigua Yacht Club for the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2020. If this is your first time entering, we’re sure you’ll appreciate the stunning sailing conditions, scenery and the hospitality we offer.

There are some changes to the Regatta this year, including the dates, courses and classes, which we hope will make the experience more enjoyable and enable more boats to participate.

Since the last Regatta, the Antigua Yacht Club has had a busy year.

During the summer, we hosted 264 young people from 64 countries (a record number of countries for a single-class regatta) for the Optimist World Championship, followed by the Caribbean Dinghy Championship. This season we have had the usual regattas.

While you’re here please consider becoming a member of our Yacht Club which will entitle you to, inter alia, generous discounts on food at our two onsite restaurants. Outside the actual Regatta dates, visit our exclusive Members’ Area upstairs at the Events Centre.

We wish you bon voyage to your summer destinations and look forward to welcoming you back next year.

Franklyn Braithwaite, Commodore of the Antigua Yacht Club

PHOTOGRAPH BY TOBIAS STOERKLE

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALLAN AFLAK

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PHOTOGRAPH BY TOBIAS STOERKLE

WORDS FROM THE CHAIRMAN A very warm welcome again to the 33rd Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.

I am very proud of the way in which the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta has evolved since 2019. We had considerable challenges last year, in particular the course changes and starts, especially in 20-25 knot winds and those big waves under the Pillar Rock. However, the photographers were delighted with the resulting action shots!

This year we have changed the start to Rendezvous Bay and we have a committee boat again, all in calm water, which we hope will please both the boats and the race committee.

We welcome Pat Bailey as our new Race Officer and Eric Tulla as International Judge. We are also delighted to have Paul&Shark and Zaoli as Official Main Clothing Sponsor and Gold Sponsor respectively.

Our sincere thanks to all the sailors, owners, sponsors and especially the volunteers, who continue to make this Regatta the success it is today.

And thanks also to those who came before me: they represent the foundation we build upon and will remembered in the future.

On a final note, a notable absence in the 2020 Vintage class is Mariella. Currently in the Med, she will be proudly flying the Antigua & Barbuda flag in the first Americas Cup Race in Cagliari, Sardinia in April 2020.

Enjoy our superb Caribbean sailing conditions.

Ciao!

Carlo Falcone CHAIRMAN

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2017 2020 SPONSORS SPONSORS LOCMAN WATCHES Locman Watches were conceived on the Italian island of Elba in 1986. The Brand combines enduring Italian elegance, classic style and traditional watchmaking, qualities which have much in common with classic yachting, which is why Locman is proud to be a sponsor of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. The use of cutting edge technology is a feature of some of the more recent Spirit of Tradition class of classic yachts, which also combine innovative hightech materials with the purity of time-honoured design.

Legend has it that one morning, seven gems from a necklace belonging to Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love, Beauty and Passion, fell into the Mediterranean, forming the Tuscan Archipelago. The centre stone of the necklace became the island of Elba, which has shimmered ever since in its setting of sparkling sapphire blue sea in memory of its exquisite divine origin. And the spirit of love, beauty and passion live on in Locman Watches – as it does in a similar fashion in classic yachts.

PHOTOGRAPH BY EANNA SUNDQUIST

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICH SHERMAN

PHOTOGRAPH BY CORY SILKEN

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2020 SPONSORS

Official Main Clothing Sponsor Paul&Shark is an Italian clothing brand founded in 1975 by Paolo Dini, son of Gian Ludovic Dini. The current CEO is Andrea Dini, with 250 stores worldwide and the head quarters at Varese.

The brand’s aim has always been to seek excellence both in the quality of its products and the manufacture of its materials, guaranteeing a rigorous selection process based on the exacting standards.

Paul&Shark creates sportswear, smart casual and luxury lines, combining technical fabrics with elegant and stylish details.

Their superb yachting collection dates back to the mid-1970s, when Paul&Shark launched in the sports fashion sector with a collection inspired by the world of sailing and based on its elegance, performance and spirit of adventure.

Over the years the company has expanded greatly to become a comprehensive luxury sportswear range, appreciated by the fans of Italian fashion and high-performance technical materials, many of which have been patented by Paul&Shark. For this reason, it a much appreciated and very important sponsor of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, which is synonymous with classical lines and elegance whilst also embracing the use of high-tech materials both in its sailing wear and in the building experience.of some of its participants.

www.paulandshark.com

Mount Gay has been crafting rum longer than any other rum distillery in the world. Located in St. Lucy, a northern parish of Barbados atop a grassy hill – this is still the exact location where we make all our rums today.The first record of ‘rum’ appears in 1650 in Barbados, making Barbados the birthplace of rum.Two important deeds from 1654 and 1703 state that rum was already being produced on these dates at our Mount Gay estate, making Mount Gay the world’s oldest running rum distillery.

MOUNT GAY is in the league of high-end aged spirits. MORE THAN A RUM. Enjoy Responsibly and Sail fast!

Mount Gay is owned by Remy-Cointreau SA www.mountgayrum.com Follow us at Mountgayrum, #mountgayrum

Aerodynamics, performance, strength and style comprise Zaoli’s philosophy, producing sails using cutting edge technology to power classic yachts as well as Olympic, cruising and junior class yachts.

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2020 SPONSORS CARIB BEER

Legendary since 1950

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA 2020 Distributed by Brydens Ltd

Elegant, exclusive and exquisite, this charming colonial-style building commands a spectacular view over English Harbour and the stunning yachts on anchor there.

www.theinnantigua.com

Technical support and internet provider

Lyman-Morse’s two yards, with 110-ton haul-out capabilities, heated indoor refit and storage bays for vessels up to 150ft and a host of skilled craftsmen, are set among the pristine cruising waters on the Maine coast where participants are also welcome each year in July for their famous Camden Classic Cup.

www.lymanmorse.com

Our mega yachts RHEA (54 m), CHRONOS (54 m) and KAIRÓS (38 m), built in classic style, combine an authentic sailing experience without the compulsion of a firmly pre-planned route along the most beautiful islands and coasts, with generous comfort and the service of an attentive, professional crew. Mostly weekly cruises in the Mediterranean in the summer and the Caribbean in the winter can be booked per person, per cabin or – for friends, families and corporate events – as a full charter of the whole vessel.

Sail and relax as if on your own private yacht for a time!

Further details and itineraries: www.sailing-classics.com

Established in 1966, this premier Caribbean boatyard provides the full range of marine services, including luxury yacht refits, spray paint facilities and teak deck replacments.

www.antiguaslipway.com

Drinking Water Sponsor Soufrière Spring Water is pure mineral spring water and bottled at the source on the pristine volcanic island of Montserrat. The water passes through 25 million year old extinct volcanic rock which enriches the water with vital minerals. The water is lightly filtered and UV treated resulting in a clean and alkaline mineral spring water.The new 500ml bottle is 100% biodegradable and will not leach any harmful chemicals into your body as a traditional PET plastic bottle.It can be composted completely back to organic material.

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2017 SPONSORS 2020 Dockage Dockage DaySponsor Sponsors

ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB MARINA & RESORT In Falmouth Harbour, the full-service AYC Marina accommodates boats drawing up to 22ft, stern to/alongside. All berths are supplied with water, cable TV and electricity (110/220 - 400 amps, 380v). We offer duty free fule pumped directly to your slip at 250l/minute.

The AYCM Resort, just behind the Antigua Yacht Club, has 19 rooms and 30 fully-equipped executive suites.

Tel: +1(268) 460.1544 | Fax: +1(268) 460.1444 aycmarina@candw.ag www.aycmarina.com VHF Ch. 68

International Media Partners www.classicboat.co.uk

www.woodenboat.com

Course Maps IMRAY NAUTICAL CHARTS

Local Partners Proud sponsors of the outer mark since 1990, Woodstock offer a full refit service and are the Caribbean agents for Teakdecking Systems. Facilities include: metal fabrication, on-board MIG & TIG welding, paint refinishing, composite construction, marine diesel engineering, teak decking and, of course, fine joinery. The Woodstock Trophy is presented each year to the Best Restored Yacht.

Tel: +1(268) 463 6359 • office@woodstockboats.com • www.woodstockboats.com

A long standing supporter of the ACYR and a mark sponsor. Located in Falmouth for almost 30 years, Chippy provides high quality woodwork, including decks and spars on many of the charter and private yachts visiting Antigua.

Tel: +1(268) 460 1832 Cell: +1(268) 464 2447 (CHIP) bardoe@candw.ag

Local Business Support South Point Restaurant Friends of Antigua – Ondeck – Clubhouse at the Antigua Yacht Club Caribbean Alliance – Bar B’s at the Antigua Yacht Club – Admiral’s Inn 25

RACE MAPS SINGLE-HANDED RACE

RACE 2 BUTTERFLY ~ 23 MILES

RACE 3 THE KENNY COOMBS MEMORIAL CANNON ~ 25 MILES

RACE 4 WINDWARD ~ 23 MILES

PHOTOGRAPH BY ED WHITING

RACE 1 OLD ROAD ~ 22 MILES

Full details and course maps will be given at the Skippers’ Briefing but to give you a taste of what to expect, here are typical courses which take the best advantage of wind, sea, scenery and skill. The Committee will make final course decisions based on the weather and sea conditions prevailing at the time.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION For those unable to take to the water, the racing fleet may be enjoyed from a number of vantage points. You can reach the Shirley Heights area by road or by hiking up the ‘Lookout Trail’ or the ‘Jones Valley Trail’ which both start along the road leading to Galleon Beach. Please take care not to trespass on private property. Blacks Point and the surrounding area, known as Middle Ground, may be reached by taking trails leading up from Pigeon Beach or from Fort Berkeley which is accessed from Nelson’s Dockyard.

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Regatta Information REGISTRATION: All captains must register to confirm arrival and receive important information. The Registration Desk, located upstairs in the Antigua Yacht Club Events Centre, will be open on Wednesday 1st April only, from 0900 to 1800 hrs. REGISTRATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS TIME. RULES: The Regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing. The CSA Classic Rating Rule will apply for all boats except Spirit of Tradition, Historic and Dragon classes. For Spirit of Tradition and Historic boats, the CSA Main Rule will apply. For Dragon Class, class rules will apply.

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (ACYR) Minimum Safety Rules will apply.

Any changes will appear in full in the sailing instructions.

ADVERTISING: Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the Organizing Authority (OA).

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for Vintage, Classic and Traditional and Tall Ship types – boats to have a full keel, are of moderate to heavy displacement, built of wood or steel and of traditional rig and appearance. Old craft using modern materials, such as epoxy or glass sheathing, or new craft built along the lines of an old design are acceptable. Boats built of other materials may be accepted if they have a gaff or traditional schooner rig.

For the Classic GRP class, boats should have a full long keel with a keelhung rudder, and be a descendant of a wooden boat design.

Spirit of Tradition class boats are eligible.

For the new Historic Class – Yachts designed & built before the end of 1976 in any material with any keel configuration are eligible. Examples include Sparkman & Stephens designs, Nautor’s Swan and Baltic. Yachts will be accepted or rejected by the OA and any decision is final and not appealable.

Dragon class boats are eligible.

Only monohulls are eligible.

Boats not fitting into the above categories may apply in writing, with documents and photographs or drawings to support their request for entry.

Any boats unknown to the Regatta shall submit photographs or drawings of the hull and rig for acceptance and class assignment.

ENTRIES: All entries should register at www.antiguaclassics.com/ registration To be eligible for the Concours d’Elégance and the Single-Handed Race a boat must be a registered participant in the Regatta.

CLASSES: Boats will be assigned classes by the OA at its sole discretion.

Each class will be divided into groups of similar size, rig and performance as much as possible FEES: .

Before March 1

After March 1

Up to 50ft

US$7/ft

US$11.50/ft

51ft to 99ft

US$9/ft

US14$/ft

Above 100ft

US$11.50/ft

US$16/ft

All entrants in the CSA Main Rule divisions of Spirit of Tradition and Historic will require a full 2020 CSA certificate.

Dragon – one design to Dragon Class rules.

Any measurement fee incurred for verification will be charged directly to the yacht by the CSA measurer. Refer to www.caribbean-sailing.com for rating information.

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS: Sailing instructions will be issued at Registration on 1st April.

VENUE: Racing will take place off the south coast of Antigua. On-shore events will take place at the Antigua Yacht Club.

COURSES: Course cards will be handed out at Registration.

SCORING: All races completed will count. One race is required to complete a series.

DOCKAGE: Limited free dockage is available at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina. For further information on dockage contact the dockmaster.

CONCOURS D’ELÉGANCE: To take place on the morning of Thursday 2nd April; please enter at Registration.

SINGLE-HANDED RACE: A Single-Handed Race will take place on Thursday 2nd April in the afternoon, after Concours d’Elégance judging.

PRIZES and PRIZE GIVING: A list of prizes and trophies to be awarded will be given in the Sailing Instructions. The Prize Giving Ceremony and Party will be held on the evening of Monday 6th April at the Antigua Yacht Club.

DISCLAIMER: Competitors participate in the Regatta entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to Race. The OA and AYCR will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during or after the Regatta.

FURTHER INFORMATION: please contact us at: Antigua Yacht Club, English Harbour, St. Paul’s, Antigua & Barbuda Telephone: +1 268 460 1799 Email info@antiguaclassics.com www.antiguaclassics.com TRADEMARKS/COPYRIGHT: The names Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua Classic Regatta and Antigua Classic Week, together with the Regatta Logos, marks, & motifs are copyrighted and/or trademarked by the Antigua Yacht Club and may only be used with the express written permission of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Committee.

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

Entries will NOT be considered after 1st April 2020. Please enter early.

MEASUREMENT AND RATINGS: All entries in the CSA Classic Rule division must complete the full ship’s data form currently available on the ACYR website. Additional information and/or some measurement may be required before a final rating can be issued.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ED WHITING

SAFETY ON THE RACE COURSE The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta has enjoyed a good safety record throughout its history; however, here are a few tips on safety that can help keep the Regatta safe and fun. (Every captain, helmsman and bowman should know the rules of the road and the racing rules. The larger yachts are skippered by professionals who know these rules so it pays for the cruisers to read up on them as well to avoid a dangerous situation.)  Don’t make any sudden course changes in the path of a larger and faster yacht coming up behind you. Most of the incidents are caused by this. Sail your course and look behind you before making a course change even if you have rights. Make your change early. Common sense must be paramount, and it is dangerous to push your luck.  In the same manner that anyone would not challenge their rights with a supertanker, skippers and crews of smaller yachts must consider the implications when a large gaff rigged yacht is required to alter course. For example, it can take 3–4 minutes to get the preventers off, pull in yards of sheet by hand, get sails between the masts down

on deck, before the helmsman can even start to turn the wheel to change course!  It takes some time before a larger yacht answers the helm, and on some bigger classics with direct steering it can require two people to turn the wheel fast enough to try and avoid a collision. Forcing any big yacht into a crash jibe can be disastrous! Manoeuvring takes time and planning and at 10 knots, a boat will cover half a mile in just 3 minutes and furthermore, when a large yacht turns, it pivots in the middle, so her stern actually comes closer to you as her bow bears away.  It always pays to keep an eye out for the larger, faster yachts coming up from behind, especially at a mark rounding where the big yachts need a wide turning space. Give them room to get to the outside, and everyone will get around safely.  It’s not easy to imagine what it takes to manoeuvre a large yacht, unless you have been racing on one. The safest thing is to do is keep clear, at a distance and enjoy the magnificent sight as they majestically sail on by.

Antigua Barbuda Search and Rescue (ABSAR) has been providing emergency medical and rescue services to the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta for many years. We are proud to be a part of this extraordinary event.

ABSAR is a non-profit organisation of volunteers dedicated to saving lives. Based at the Antigua Yacht Club and the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, we are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We specialise in search and rescue, emergency medical, and marine fire response. In 2019 we have provided logistical support for 2 search and rescue calls, launched our rescue boat for 11 emergencies, and supported 10 regattas. We treated over 1260 sick or injured patients in the Medic Station and responded to 71 emergency calls in our response vehicles.

ABSAR relies on your donations for its existence. We need your help…‘so that others may live.’

ABSAR | Antigua Yacht Club Marina | Falmouth Harbour | Antigua Tel: + (268) 562.1234 | VHF: Marine Channel 16 info@absar.org | www.absar.org 28

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

Many thanks to our wonderful Volunteers!

LESLIE ARNOLD, VICE-CHAIRMAN

Classics ongoing success is due to our ever-faithful volunteers. From the folks volunteering for the first time to volunteers who have been with the Regatta from the beginning and those who come back year after year – we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And thanks to those who stepped into key roles and kept things going while figuring it all out along the way.

In 2019, we had a lot of changes in leadership, personnel and process – thanks to all who rose to the occasion and made it work. Some things worked out and some will not be repeated this year!

Your amazing contribution – hard work, ideas, insight and support – is greatly valued. It was a tough year for me – I added many hats, learned a lot and will be back for this year. I hope to see many of you back again this year too and also to welcome new volunteers.

I usually don’t do special mentions, as I don’t want to forget anyone. However special mentions are in order for Janie Easton – filling many roles – and the ever vibrant race committee for the Charlotte Heights starts, and dealing with lots of changes in courses. Thanks to the trophy support team and the events centre team for stepping up and taking on new tasks. Thanks also to the people who took a different support role and stayed with us with their knowledge and expertise. And thanks to those who made it fun and entertained the crowd – let’s make the sea shanty a must-see event again this year. And thanks to all I did not mention – keeping things going as you always do.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DEN PHILLIPS

Some of our enthusiastic volunteers became pirates for the Sea Shanty Competition!

TOP RIGHT: In charge: the ever-smiling Leslie Arnold ABOVE CENTRE: Cream Teas anyone?

ABOVE: Winner of the fleet or class gets the gun…

TOP LEFT

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Captains of the Yachting Industry

Athos PHOTOGRAPH BY TOBIAS STOERKLE

GILLY GOBINET

Forty or so years ago, three aspiring young British sailors left school and went to sea to pursue careers which resulted in their present positions of captains of three magnificent classic yachts: Elena, Athos and Eos. Well, perhaps it wasn’t quite as simple as that…Steve Mclaren was 15 when he joined Silvers Boatyard in Rosneath, Scotland (near where the celebrated 1938 Mylne-designed Fife-built Mariella, then owned by Ronald Teacher of the eponymous whisky fame, was anchored) as an apprentice carpenter, after which he honed his sailing skills on an old 7 metre class boat he had bought to restore. Three years later, his life changed forever when a good friend put him in touch with the owner of the 76ft Abeking & Rasmussen, Philip Rhodes-designed yacht Gael in St Tropez, who was looking for a skipper. A stint renovating a house in London was followed by the opportunity to skipper the Swan 44 Assail in Nice, following which Steve ran various Swans from 44ft to 60ft, racing and cruising extensively, until he was sent out to Florida to view Whitefin with a view to purchase for her and bring her back to the Med for the owner. .Over a three-year period sailing Whitefin, they became familiar with Bruce King and started discussions to develop designs for the infamous 136ft classic ketch Alejandra. Steve was project manager during the twoyear build, during which he gained a wealth of experience. He went on to skipper Alejandra for ten years, racing her in the Antigua Classics each year and at Cannes and St Tropez.

This was followed by a two-year stint rescuing and restoring Antigua Slipway’s reputation. When Eleonora arrived, Steve gave her a free berth, as her prestigious presence was far more precious to this hitherto ailing boatyard. It so happened that Steve would later become captain of Eleonora, winning much silverware on the racing circuit for 18 months. An abrupt departure prompted Steve to build a boat that could beat Eleonora, a replica of N.G.Herreshoff Westward II. After 30

giving considerable thought to her design, as well as finding the necessary financial resources, Steve decided to also build a Herreshoff replica, this time of the 1911 Elena, herself originally built to beat Westward II!. Her current owner kept Steve on as skipper and the rest is history! Elena is a favourite at the Antigua Classics, the epitomy of the enduring beauty and elegance of a true classic yacht.

Tony Brookes left school when he was 17 and went to sea on a Moody Carbineer 44 as a deckhand, sailing to the Caribbean – his first encounter with Antigua was in 1979.

He went on to sail in various boats around the world, gaining a lot of racing experience and within two years, he found himself at aged 19 the skipper of a 76ft boat, racing on the maxi circuit in 1985-86, the Whitbread Round the World twice, amongst others. He continued to captain charter boats in the 90s and has sailed six round-the-world trips and made fifty three Atlantic crossings. Like Steve Mclaren, he is very much a hands-on skipper, and has built various boats over time, particularly Nautor’s Swans in Jacobstad, Finland, the home of these very popular yachts - building and delivering one then returning to build and deliver another, and so on. In 2010 he was head-hunted for skipper of the mighty Andre Hoek Athos, the world’s largest private sailing yacht and which raced in the Antigua Classics in 2011.

Tony’s racing experience is immense and covers regattas the world over – the Sydney Hobart, the Newport to Bermuda Race, the Hong Kong to Manilla Race, the Southern Cross Cup to name but a few. He has also raced in Antigua Sailing Week with Carlo Falcone on Caccia ala

Volpe and on Mariella in regattas on the Mediterranean circuit and elsewhere. But his favourite regatta is the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta because of the unique inclusive vibe it creates – the friendly, laid-back island atmosphere, the way the boats are berthed at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina and the remarkable resulting camaraderie make for a very special event which is hard to beat.

Simon Cawthorne also left school at the age of 17, already a fanatic dinghy sailor. His first job was in London’s big Force 4 chandlery but which didn’t leave much time for sailing – until a chance offer from a customer to deliver a Hamble Hermetic 33 to La Grande Motte in the south of France.

Jumping at the opportunity, he then found himself back at the chandlery afterwards only to get another offer just two weeks later doing a delivery from Brittany to Gibraltar – and never looked back. His first experience as a skipper, still only 17 years old, was onboard a 50ft glass dipper ketch, replacing the captain who left to go and get married. He gained further experience racing all over Europe. His first Atlantic crossing was an RORC race from the Hamble UK to Antigua on a 33ft Moody at age 19. He was then lucky enough to join the Highland Fling Racing Swan campaigns, working on three of them as they got progressively bigger.

When the owner decided to extend his fleet with a large motor yacht Simon decided to jump at the opportunity to move his career onto the next level in yachting, i.e. more hospitality orientated.

Many years later, having moved on to an even bigger motor yacht, his then-owner got interested in the more

sporty side of yachting and decided to build a brand new 80ft Wally to add to his tender collection. Simon was involved in the whole design process and the resulting yacht, the beautiful Bagheera – like the eponymous panther, was an impressively sleek and black racing yacht.

The owner asked Simon to teach his 24 year old son how to sail, and so Bagheera did the ARC and then returned to the Med for the regatta circuit.

At this time, around nine years ago, the whole super yacht industry was taking off with the yachts getting increasingly larger, and Simon felt it was important for his career to be part of it. He started on the 206ft Mary Jean for a couple of years, then wanting to take a break, he was head-hunted by S/Y Eos, which was looking for a captain with the necessary big sailing yacht experience but also service experience, which Simon had gained on the aforementioned mega motor yacht – and has held this position now for six years, sailing all over the world with the owner whose passion is travelling.

It is fair to say that these three skippers all share a passion for sailing and racing as well as having the Antigua Classics in common (Simon took part in an early Regatta in the 80s).Tony and Steve both have houses here in Antigua, and Tony’s wife and children live here half of each year .

All are passionate about the jobs that they do: they all love sailing, and are very good at it –- it is their true vocation.…and what would be the alternative anyhow? All in their 50s, they have many years to go yet in this métier if they so choose. And the Antigua Classics, which they all adore, is also a pull – we hope also for many years to come, owners permitting.

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

Elena

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What is a Classic?

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

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Most people in the yachting scene know a genuine ‘Classic’ when they see one – a yacht built in the 20s and 30s, with lines of beauty and grace, acres of canvas, fine craftsmanship and gleaming varnish are good examples.

The survivors of that golden era are unmistakably ‘Classic’ yachts. Perfect examples include Tuiga, Mary Rose, Eilean, Mariette of 1915, Coral of Cowes, Aschanti IV, Cora, and hundreds of others which are being kept to high standards..

Recently we have all seen fine examples of the craftsmanship of yesteryear carried on in modern vessels, like some of the designs from Bruce King, Andre Hoek and many others. Examples of these exceptional craft include Athos, Whitehawk, and Rebecca. They all have the fine lines of a Classic but are built and rigged using modern techniques and materials. Classics like Juno, Elena, Rebecca of Vineyard Haven are true replicas built in recent times, using traditional methods and materials. We must also include in our definition the wonderful traditional workboats of the past that are now being restored and sailing the seas as yachts, like the Carriacou sloops.

To be eligible for the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, all entries must have a full keel, be of moderate to heavy displacement, built of wood or steel, and be of traditional rig and appearance. Old craft restored using modern materials such as epoxy or glass sheathing, or new craft built along the lines of an old design, are acceptable. Vessels built of ferro-cement may be accepted if they have a gaff or traditional schooner rig. Fibreglass yachts must have a long keel with a keel-hung rudder and be a descendant of a wooden hull design. Exceptional yachts not fitting into the above categories may be eligible for entry in the Spirit of Tradition Class, which was initiated in Antigua, and is described in another section.

OPPOSITE ABOVE: Peter

von Seestermuehe, Columbia & Eilean & Mary Rose BELOW CENTRE: Severine BELOW RIGHT: Iris J OPPOSITE BELOW LEFT: Eros

PHOTOGRAPH BY ED WHITING

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

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OPPOSITE PAGE TOP LEFT: Volterra OPPOSITE PAGE BELOW LEFT:

Blackfish

OPPOSITE PAGE BELOW RIGHT: Chloe-Giselle THIS PAGE: Athos

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

The Spirit of Tradition Class PHOTOGRAPH BYTIM WRIGHT

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

In 1996 the SPIRIT OF TRADITION CLASS was established in Antigua for vessels built along ‘classic’ lines using modern techniques and materials.Yachts in this class must have a ‘look’ that is true to a traditional design and must demonstrate excellent craftsmanship and tradition, both on deck and in the hull, such as the Bruce King designed Alejandra.

Other excellent examples include Rebecca or the Andre Hoek designed Marie and Athos. They may, however, have modern under-bodies and appendages and use modern technology in their rigs such as Adela or Ranger, or be modified with carbon fibre like Velsheda.

The Committee is looking for yachts that are exceptional and those whose owners have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure that their vessel maintains the beauty and lines characteristic of fine yachts built in the past.

All new yachts who feel they are acceptable for entry into

this class must complete a Pre-Entry Form on our website www.antiguaclassics.com and include photographs of the hull, rig and deck layouts. If the yacht is approved and accepted the Committee will direct you to an Official Entry Form online.

Acceptance into this class is provisional for the first year.

Entries in the Spirit of Tradition Class must be measured and have a current CSA measurement certificate.

The Spirit of Tradition Class has its own trophy structure; the legendary yacht, Ticonderoga, sponsors the trophy for First Overall in this class.

It is the Regatta Committee’s hope that by creating the Spirit of Tradition Class, we can continue to encourage the future building of exceptional yachts that will keep the Classic traditions alive.

Previously accepted vessels need only apply for re-entry by email to entry@antiguaclassics.com 35

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

Single-Handed Race TEXT BY GILLY GOBINET PHOTOGRAPHS BY JAN HEIN

For those unfamiliar with the origins of the Classic Single-Handed Race (S-HR), it all began many years ago in Antigua Sailing Week (ASW), when a S-HR was part of the Lay Day fun activities.Tim Wall took part a couple of times and thoroughly enjoyed it, only for it to be discontinued. But then the Antigua Classics evolved out of ASW, and Tim began thinking what a good idea it would be to introduce it into this Regatta, and founder Kenny Coombs agreed, especially as there was no such event elsewhere in the Caribbean at the time. After much discussion and rum, the Millenium seemed like a good year to start, and so it was that about six boats first raced the course in 2000. And in the last 20 years, there has never been a single incident (each entry is required to have a observer on board for safety reasons) EXCEPT possibly in that very first race when a certain Carriacou sloop could have sworn that skipper Hans Lammers’ boat and the Arthur Robb Rob Roy “touched”…but nothing was ever officially reported and all was well that ended well!

Twenty years later, with moderate winds and smooth seas, the S-HR fleet of 11 boats set off in the afternoon of 18 April 2019 for an exciting hour’s race off the south coast of Antigua. Winner of the Large Classics Class was the 1957 S&S yawl Mah Jong, skippered by Alex Goldhill (also winner of the Young Sailor of the Year Award 2018). Gannon and Benjamin recently did a fabulous award-winning job on the complete refurbishment of this beautiful yacht, and reminded Tim Wall, founder of the S-HR, of an Atlantic crossing he made with Nat Benjamin and their wives (both rather confusingly called Pam…) in the 70s on the 60’ Sorcerer of Asker, built 38

in 1921 in Norway. With no engine, no generator and zero communications, they made the Azores in an incredible 10 ½ days only, discovering later that this record-breaking time was thanks to sailing on the lee edge of a hurricane! Nat wanted to take the boat to Europe where the sales market was apparently better. On arrival in the Med, he got a message from Martha’s Vineyard that there was a very interested buyer right there – so he sailed her back again and sold her!

Also in the Large Classics were the stunning 1997 Herreshoff ketch Arrluuk in which skipper and owner Steve Frary managed a very creditable second place, and the ever-

2019 Race Results NAME AND YEAR BUILT

LOA IN FT

SKIPPER

PLACE

SMALL CLASSICS UNDER 45FT Seefalke II 1936

41

Oliver Greensmith

1

Lazy Leg 1969

40

Juerg Zimmerman

2

Morgaine 1986

42

Guido Schotman

3

Alex Goldhill

1

Steve Frary

2

Christoph von Reibnitz

3

LARGE CLASSICS OVER 45 FT Mah Jong 1957 Arrluuk 1997 Peter von Seestermühe 1936

52 57.5 59

SPIRIT OF TRADITION / HISTORIC CLASS Biwi Magic 1989

30

Geoffrey Pidduck

1

Rita 1963

28

Tanner Jones

2

Willpower 2019

44

Don Ward

3

Sleeper 1973

48

Mervyn Gutteridge

4

Montana 1972

48

Marcus Bocks

5

HONOURABLE MENTION: Peter von Seestermühe OPPOSITE: Steve

Frary on Arrluuk; CLOCKWISE: Guido Schotman; Alex Goldhill receiving 1st prize from Tim Wall; Peter von Seestermühe approaching the mark; Mah Jong.

faithful Henry Gruber yawl, Peter von Seestermühe, built in 1936, skippered by Christoph von Reibnitz, who takes part in the Antigua Classics every two years, coming third.

2019 heralded the introduction of the Historic Class (pre1977 design or build) which of course allowed Swans to enter, and it was gratifying for Tim to see 1972 S&S Sleeper and 1972 Montana in this race.There were four local owners in this Class, the winner being Geoffrey Pidduck on Biwi Magic.

A local boat, Oliver Greensmith’s Abeking and Rasmussen Seefalke II, also won the Small Classics Class with Lazy Leg and Morgaine runners up.

On a sadder note, one long-time participant was sorely missed, namely the inimitable Roy Boughton, on Guiding Light, who tragically went missing at sea off St Lucia in late 2018. Earlier that year he received an Honourable Mention at the S-HR for his faithful participation over the years..

Many thanks to the vibrant Race Committee, particularly Clare Cupples, Tim and Caroline DeGavre, Annie Morcom and organizer Tim Wall himself, ably assisted by wife Nora.

And congratulations Tim for all your laudatory efforts in making this Race the highly enjoyable success it has been since its inception in 2000.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEINS

Above and Beyond Elegance JAN HEIN

Each year, as the Classic Regatta heats up, questions arise about the Concours d’Elégance – Captains, owners and crews want to know: what exactly is it and why and how do vessels enter? The name of the long-standing contest evokes an element of grandeur – an elite status only few will achieve. In a fleet mixed by size and varied by pedigree and age, how is it possible to compare simple cruising boats with world class yachts, or island boats built on the beach with fully-restored vintage beauties? The name brings to mind finely-honed vessels sprung from storage just one day a year, so how can boats fresh from a salty sea romp possibly compete?

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Answers to questions were in place before the first judging in 1991. That year, Baron Edmond Rothschild brought his 6-metre Spirit of St. Kitts; Cane Spirit Rothschild became the first sponsor and inaugurated the Concours d’Elégance and Prizegiving was held after the Edwardian Ball.

Criteria for comparing and contrasting yachts were debated and established, the resulting system still being used today. Points are awarded for the condition of each boat along with points for how close it is to its original form.

Categories were created to differentiate between large, professionally maintained yachts and those generally smaller and privately run, with prizes in each category awarded in up to four divisions. Overall Winner is determined after much discussion, often aided by a drop or two of rosé!

Judges would agree that there’s ‘wiggle-room’ within the rules. Points hold weight but some aspects of a seaworthy craft can’t stay within the lines. Tony Harris, Publisher of Boat International Publications and former sponsor of the Concours d’Elégance, wrote in the 2006 Classics Programme, “The true essence of classic yachts centres around their elegant lines, their beauty under sail, and their timeless history. But perhaps the most profound attraction of a classic yacht is something intangible – perhaps it is that these vessels have a heart and soul, a life of their own that transcends their owners who are merely their proud, but temporary custodians.” Heart and soul doesn’t require varnish or paint and it can’t be found in a store. If it wasn’t built into a craft it was honed from miles sailed, storms endured, lives altered at sea.

The Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance (LSA) joined the Regatta as sponsors of this beauty contest in 2011. LSA member, sailor, and founder of Covey Island Boatbuilders, John Steele, explained his definition of the Concours d’Elégance in the 2011 Classics Programme. “This event is not a contest, it is a celebration. A celebration of centuries of evolution, of talents and skills rare in today’s word, of dedication to a notion of what makes a beautiful boat. Nova Scotian schooner designer David Stevens, used to say ‘A sail boat is the nearest thing to a PHOTOGRAPH BY ANNA SUNDQUIST

PHOTOGRAPH BY ED WHITING

Concours d’Elégance JUDGES Brian Harrison, Jerry Bardoe, Andrew Breece, Bruce Smith and Mike Beggs

2019 RESULTS Vintage Class (professionally maintained) 1. Eilean 2. Mariella 3. Eros Vintage Class (privately maintained) 1. The Blue Peter 2. Seefalke II Classic Class (professionally maintained) 1. Columbia 2. Mah Jong 3. Severine Classic Class (privately maintained) 1. Arrluuk 2. Hilaria 3. Avenger Traditional Class 1. New Moon 2. Genesis 3. Vendia Spirit of Tradition 1. Blackfish 2. Volterra Arne Frizzell Trophy for seaworthiness & timeless tradition Morgaine Special Mention Athos OVERALL WINNER Arrluuk

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ANNA SUNDQUIST PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANNA SUNDQUIST

living creature that a man can make with his hands’. We tend to agree and take our task seriously.”

Each year judges comprise boat builders, sailors, restoration specialists and wood enthusiasts. They are placed in teams, handed a clipboard containing a list of boats to visit, then given half a day to uncover the secrets that lie within each hull. Owners are prompted to share their boats’ stories, often expanded by a left-field question from an inquisitive judge. Aboard Ross Gannon’s Eleda in 2014, he was asked about his leather settee cushion covers, which led to an entertaining explanation on deer conservation on Martha’s Vineyard. Judges are privy to hidden compartments, special staterooms, treasured artwork and hidden bars. They know to look beyond the crystal decanters and floral arrangements.They are treated to what John Steele termed, “the Cook’s Tour.”

When they reconvene to share discovery and some crazy stories, lively discussions ensue in a poker game of opinion.

Overall Winners some years are obvious; other times hard PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

to determine. The 2019 winner, Arrluuk, could have earned it on beauty alone but it was her status as an impeccable cruising home for a family of four that sealed the deal.

Equal in importance is the Arne Frizzell Trophy, named after an infamous past Concours judge and awarded for seaworthiness and timeless tradition. Past winners include a list of boats laden with character and well-worn by sea miles.

Entering the Concours d’Elégance is simple: just sign on when you register your boat – there is no extra cost. No prep is necessary but if varnishing is your pastime, lay it on thick. You might want to tidy the galley but no need to dig out the silver and china. Some captains have used obscure psychology by setting out freshly baked cookies or charging the air with ‘eau de bacon’. The winning details are already all there, built within the hull, polished by time and loved by those who sailed hard to reach this world class Regatta.

Many thanks to the Admiral’s Inn for sponsoring the 2019 event and to South Point Restaurant for providing an excellent lunch for the Judges (with a drop or two of rosé!).

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANNA SUNDQUIST

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN PHOTOGRAPH BY ANNA SUNDQUIST

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ANNA SUNDQUIST

SCHOONER TOM AND THE MIGHTY

Avenger

TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHS BY LUCY TULLOCH

Well it’s going to be a hard not to write this article on the great man that is Tom Gallant, as opposed to his inspiring Nova Scotian schooner Avenger…it’s not easy to talk about one without the other. The two are so intertwined, that they are almost as one. I think you’ll see what I mean.

“I wanted to go sailing from when I first saw a boat,” Tom Gallant tells me with feeling, “something about it just went right through me”.

In his youth, he sailed with a family friend in his 30ft sloop.

“I could see the wind. I knew where it was from very early on,” he realised.Tom had been drawing schooners in his school books since Grade 1 and both his uncles were passionate sailors from Nova Scotia and regularly took him down the river to catch cod. Seeing the schooners, he remembers saying to himself, “I’m going to have one of those one day”.

Meanwhile, a 38 year old, Nova Scotian farmer, David Stevens, was embarking on a new career as a boatbuilder. With his 5 sheds on the beach at Second Peninsula, Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, he would go on to build some of the fastest schooners

on the Atlantic coast, 89 in total and nearly all his own designs.

He designed and built the sporty 47ft Gaff schooner Avenger for Dr Ken McIntyre. She was built of oak frames, mahogany planks with copper rivets and ash deck beams.

At that time of his life,Tom lived in a very different world…

He was a singer-songwriter of national reputation in Canada, an award-winning writer of plays, poetry, short stories and novels. He was writing music for theatre, radio and TV as well as acting and directing both theatre and film.

Making good money from screen and stage plays, he was particularly well-known for one successful Friday night TV show and earned quickly. “Something gets hot for a while. I was pretty young. It was a piece of cake. I got famous. I didn’t like it. I felt like I had spinach between my teeth or my fly 43

was open you know?” Tom wanted to be taken seriously as an artist, a writer, an actor. But the more money they paid him, the more trivial the work was. He was approached by a huge agency in Hollywood who promised to make him a big name in the US.They detailed the plan: dates, touring, big money, 277 nights in hotels…

Fame and Hollywood…Tom tells me that how hard it is to give up your obscurity. “Sailing into a port, you are unknown.

Opinions are based upon your behaviour.”

He turned it down and returned to Nova Scotia. He lived in an old VW van and and wrote radio plays. He resolved not to do trivial acting work anymore. “Best things I’ve done in life haven’t made me a ton of money. There are so many things more important than money”.

Then, in 1979,Tom saw Avenger, she was at that time 9 years old. “I thought: Holy Gold, that’s my boat.” A hurricane had taken Avenger’s shed and blown it into a nearby field. That’s why he could see her. Rig was in the next door shed, so unhurt.

He got to know David Stevens and so began their lifelong friendship.

“He was the best sailor that I ever saw,” Tom declares.

One time, Tom went to David with a broken spreader and was told to bring it to the shop. Then he instructed Tom to trace it and then take it over to the band saw and cut it out.

Then to champfer the edges. “He was bringing me along… he taught me everything”.

Living on-board and getting to know the boat, his writing was a success and he went on to became the Artist in Residence at the Neptune Theatre, Halifax. He wrote a play 44

with music that he opened the season with and toured the Maritimes. It was a huge hit with a marvellous cast and great production and he describes it as being one of the happiest times of his life.

“I would never have called a schooner Avenger – it’s too aggressive. I told David I was going to change her name and he looked like I’d kicked him in the gut. David told him that he built that boat for Doctor Ken McIntyre and it was he who saved David’s granddaughter’s life when she was a baby with Scarlet Fever. Dr McIntyre sat up with her for 3 nights, with iced towels bringing her fever down and he saved her life. Later, Dr McIntyre was lost off Kitchen Shoals, Bermuda, in the wreck of the Ramona. So her name stayed.

She was launched on Thursday, rigged on Friday and his first sail was on Saturday before joining Sunday’s Schooner Race Week. They were nowhere near qualified but Dave Stevens insisted and Tom had to prize the helm from the proud grip of his old Uncle John.

Over the next 10 years, Tom and Melissa cruised and learnt and loved and wrote and created and worked on some modifications on Avenger to make her comfortable for living aboard and deep-water cruising. They were thoughtful designs and Tom made a mock up with plywood every time. The rig was raised, the decks changed from canvas to teak, adjustments to the interior, the size of the cockpit was too big and held an outrageous volume of water at sea, so it was shortened. A bridge deck was added and gained volume below. Tom felt the sheer could take some of his creativity… She had been built in the shop and David Stevens couldn’t get far enough away to see the full length of the sheer. Ingeniously, Tom raised the 2” toe rail to 6” on the bow, to 5” on the stern, and running a batten down the deck made a sweet curve. Then he put a cap rail on top and made the rub rail match so no one knew. The boat isn’t changed at all.

He thought the dog house looked too high and so, he changed from canvas with moulding on top to fibreglass top to toughen and then rounded edges and dropped moulding down 2“, painting everything above white, so it disappeared. The cabin now looked lower. Like magic!

A tragic car accident changed their lives suddenly, leaving Melissa severely disabled. Tom cared for her for the next 20 years without hesitation. “Love is the willingness to give up everything with no expectation,” he says. Then one day, Melissa told him she wanted him to go sailing, to return to the West Indies and sail amongst their beloved islands once again. Mobile and Sat phones allowed him to stay in touch and tell her of his landfalls and adventures during his season away. He would tell her if it was a little stormy, saying she’s probably glad not to be at sea. A loyal friend next door was a wonderful caregiver and reported that Melissa was doing better than ever.

Coming back from Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland one early September in 1982, the forecast called for 15-25

knots from the Nor’West forecasting a broad reach for Avenger. It was a sunny day and there was no wind. And still there was no wind. Tom started ranting at the gods, asking where the breeze was…“You want me to pay you for it?” he joked and reached in his pocket and threw a handful of change into the sea. “Well that was a very bad thing to do”.

The wind begins to blow from SW. It gets stronger. They tie down a reef. The wind increases. The foresail is taken down.Then the staysail.The wind strengthens and they hove to. The barometer goes from from 30mb to below 28mb within an hour. Wind is getting stronger and stronger…right where the Labrador and St. Lawrence currents meet, with already notorious seas. Avenger is doing OK, she lies abeam for a bit, coming down a wave, picking up speed, climbing the next wave, she skits back, digs her stern in and a wave breaks over the bow and the boat flies through the air and sticks her masts in the water...

“It’s really not a very nice thing to happen.” Tom’s understatement of turning turtle says it all. It happened no less than three times in that storm, the second time taking forward hatch away leaving them knee-deep in green water. They were close to losing her and called a Mayday.

Tom remembers grimly hearing the Coastguard report “the 47ft Gaff schooner with five souls aboard”.

When the Submarine Tracker plane found them, the plan was to drop a 125lb pump on a float into the water for pick-up, but the wind was blowing so hard, with so much spray and the sea so wild, that neither could see each other and there was a very real danger that it would go straight through the boat or that they wouldn’t be able to find it if it landed nearby. They admitted they’d never seen a storm like this and so the Canadian Forces said Godspeed Avenger, before Tom said, “wait, I don’t want to be lying when I tell this story…what is it blowing?”

“110 knots of wind, sir” came the chilling reply before they ran before it through the night. By daylight, it eased

to a mere 40 knots and they were able to sail back to the safety of Rocky Harbour.

He describes it as the hardest moment in his sailing life. Getting back on the boat to leave and dropping the mooring lines was tough…the storm was too fresh in his memory. He got 6 miles offshore and came back to the dock before leaving again some days later, this time for a safe passage home.

A big refit followed in 1995. With the skilled help of the best shipwright in Nova Scotia, she was reframed in American white oak, new spars of black spruce. 30 new planks in Wana and garboards and the sheer plank, which were Angelique. Recaulked from garboards up.

For 50 years Tom and his schooner have sailed over 100, 000 miles and as you’d imagine, everything on board has a story; every painting, every tool, every custom fitting “To remind you who you are, where you come from and how rich your life was”. And one such current richness is Tom’s beloved cat Jimmy. A brave sea-going cat, who found Tom in the boatyard some years ago and is as important a member of the crew as any, having sailed over nine thousand miles together with Tom and Avenger.

I can’t help but finish with Tom’s own words: “It’s a lucky man who can find an obsession equal and opposite to his work. Sailing is the perfect way to clean the cluttered mind of all the leftovers from writing books and songs and plays and such. And it draws you back into the living planet, brings you close to things that are real and beyond argument.

She asks only that you pay attention, which is exactly what life asks. What we pay attention to is a question worth pondering. Something tells me, the answer to that is outside the self. We need to be looking out at the world. We need to watch the sky, feel the wind, notice the changing state of the sea, if we’re to carry the right sails, survive the storms, and make time in the easy reaches.”

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PHOTOGRAPH BYALLAN AFLAK

The Dragon Class: a roaring success GILLY GOBINET

The Dragon Class is not new to Antigua: the fortuitous purchase of a property in Antigua by Dragon World Champion Poul Hoj Jensen and his meeting with Classics Chairman Carlo Falcone led to the introduction of 12 of these small, sleek, very fast boats by the latter onto the Antiguan racing scene, nine of which took part in the 2008 Antigua Classics. Since then Antigua has hosted the Dragon Yacht Club Challenge on several occasions, attracting world class sailors from near and far to compete on Carlo’s Pettycrows.

OPPOSITE TOP LEFT

Pigeon

TOP RIGHT: Jolly

CENTRE LEFT: Rendezvous

Hawksbill BOTTOM LEFT: Jabberwock BOTTOM RIGHT: Windward CENTRE RIGHT

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Last year was no exception when the Dragon Class was re-introduced into the Antigua Classics in 2019, attracting champion sailors from near and far, such as Eric Tulla, Gianluca Perego, and Antiguan Karl James.

With each boat named after a popular Antiguan beach, there were six entries in all last year, with their own course and different start time from the rest of the fleet, racing on four days. Conditions were often tough and racing was highly competitive, pitching age and experience against youth and endurance.

The ages of those taking part ranged from late teens to 60+.

Eric Tulla, who last participated in the Dragon Challenge here in Antigua in 2014, skippered Jabberwock, along with crew Mike Coussens and Cary Lee Byerly, who had no previous experience on these boats. Despite finishing in sixth place, Eric pronounced the whole event as wonderful – the possibility of meeting up with old friends, making new ones – racing in a fleet of breathtaking Classics: in fact, the Dragon Class epitomised sailing as a sport practised by all ages.

For Gianluca Perego, racing with his crew Simone Dondelli and Filippo Amanti on Hawksbill, it was their first time both in Antigua and racing on Dragons – and they were enchanted to be surrounded by so many stunning boats as they raced. The weather was great, even if the wind was rather strong at times, but this just made for a harder regatta. They came third overall.

Highly experienced Antiguan Karl James skippered Windward, with Jeff from Miami racing for the first time on a Dragon, as was Antiguan Allan Hart, who found it an interesting learning experience. Karl thought the conditions were amazing: the big waves and nice, steady breeze were no challenge in his opinion for these nippy, one-design boats and everyone on board agreed that it was a fantastic event.

Skipper Freddie Mills from the USVI, with friends Kathryn Thomson and Nikolai (who fell overboard at one point but was successfully rescued with no further ado) racing on Jolly, were all first-time Dragon sailors. The all declared their love for Antigua and Freddie reckoned that sailing windward in rough weather was better than reaching . . . and came fourth overall.

Antigua Slipway sponsored Pigeon, skippered by Phil Hopton, with crew which included first-time Dragon sailor Willy Attadill and Roberto Falangola. They all

declared a love-hate feeling for the racing: sometimes they loved it and it was great fun; sometimes it wasn’t such fun and they hated it, but apart from that, they all agreed that overall the event was exceptionally good – especially as they came second overall.

The sixth boat, Rendezvous, was skippered by young Antiguan Rocco Falcone, with friends Rhone Kirby, Louis Bavay and Giles De Jager. It was the first time racing Dragons for them all. Rhone said that apart from getting wet and cold at times (par for the course), he loved sailing with such great guys on such a great boat. Rocco said that in the beginning, it was hard-going, but as they were all familiar with the rudiments of sailing, it got better and easier as the racing

progressed: they got to know what adjustments to make, how to tune the runners and the backstays, and so on – they learned as they went along. And overall it was super fun! And this is where age trumped experience: all the boys were under 20, none of them had sailed a Dragon before, although they all had racing experience on small boats – but they had the endurance and stamina particular to youth and achieved first place with what seemed like effortless ease…

Nearly all those taking part said they would come back and race Dragons again and we are looking forward to an exciting challenge again this year. The overall winner is exempt from entry fees the following year, so the boys should be back with a vengeance!

PHOTOGRAPH BY JANE COOMBS

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY JANE COOMBS

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

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THE SCHOONERMAN:

Seth Salzmann JAN HEIN

Racing aboard the Schooner Columbia under the command of Captain Seth Salzmann is akin to a theme park thrill ride. At the helm, full sail, full tilt, he comfortably choreographs trim and tactics while manoeuvering 174 tons of steel and finely polished wood. His face, free of tension, usually sports a wry smile. Quips with crew keep it real; his mission is to sail hard, stay safe and enjoy the ride.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY DAISY D’ISERNIA

LEFT:

When and If inches ahead of Columbia in the Marblehead Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta.

ABOVE: Seth

Salzmann at the helm of Columbia

PHOTOGRAPH BY GEORGE BEKRIS

Salzmann’s enviable career began by happenstance at the tender age of 13. Newly transplanted from Vermont to Key West, his father’s job of selling boat trips doubled as a classroom for his two home-schooled boys. Trips to barrier reefs were the subject of reports and boat skills quickly formed their future. After school, Seth washed fishing boats until the 74ft Schooner Wolf lured him aboard as crew.

By 16, he was a self-proclaimed ‘wharf rat’. “If anyone asked me to go sailing, I said yes.” An invitation to sail aboard 86ft Appledore took him to Maine where, he recalled, “I was blown away by traditional schooners.” An apprenticeship on 101ft Schooner America segued to crew status and at 17 he was mate on 70ft Timberwind. Two years later, he was a licensed

captain in charge of 73ft William H Albury and 23 boy scouts aboard a sailing classroom in the Bahamas. “The owner of the boat told me that I was his first captain who hadn’t run the boat aground.” Each subsequent command came with challenges but none as great 130ft schooner Grace Bailey. He was 24, the ship’s youngest captain since 1927, sailing Maine’s waters for a week, engineless, with 29 passengers.

Life altered course when Salzmann took the helm of Malabar X. Once the personal yacht of John Alden, the 58ft schooner and owner Doug Hazlitt, introduced his young captain to the world of private yachting. “I realized all schooners didn’t have to be workboats,” he said. “She was like a sports-car.” They were a team for five years and 49

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

when Malabar X sold, Salzmann was tasked with finding Hazlitt’s next boat.

One after another, yachts were perused and rejected until 63.5ft When and If came along in the spring of 2013. Built in 1939 for American General George Patton, the boat was tired, in need of serious work, but to Seth’s eye - perfection.

That summer, he had the honour of running Patton’s pride and meeting the infamous captain of the schooner Adventuress, Kenny Coombs. Two schooners rafted together preparing for the Eggemoggen Reach Regatta: two captains forming a lasting bond…Shortly after, Salzmann crewed on Adventuress from Newport to Antigua with Coombs. “From Bermuda south, there was a full moon. Kenny and I held the night watch.” One can only imagine the wisdom shared which continued during their landfall and Seth’s inaugural visit to Antigua.

That fall, during a routine haul-out, rot was discovered in the horn timber of When and If. She was taken to upstate New York for a restoration with Salzmann as Project Manager. As the tear down began, he learned of the untimely death of Kenny Coombs and flew to Adventuress for a few months to complete her captain’s mission.

The When and If project grew exponentially as did Salzmann’s learning curve. “It was my first go at being a shipwright,” he said. “I did a large portion of the deck.”

Two years later, upon completion, the boat was new and magnificent, but the programme to sail hard had faded.

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Momentarily jobless, Salzmann again joined 83ft Fife Adventuress. For two years he served as captain, instructor and inspiration of a programme for young adults. Handson training, old school terminology and daily hard-core sailing launched many maritime careers. Stories still flow in Antigua of Salzmann driving the boat, full sail, to the inner shore of Falmouth Harbour- always without incident – and which he recounted himself at the wake of Kenny Coombs. His team raced two Antigua Classic Regattas, on to Spain, Portugal, the Canaries and to Martinique as part of the Panerai Transat. Most importantly, while running the Fife beauty, he met Jennifer, his first mate and wife.

In 2015, Salzmann was given the opportunity to lease When and If. He secured Coast Guard certification, launched a charter business and eighteen months later, money and title changed hands. The boat, named by the General for the circumnavigation he hoped to make, ‘when and if ’ WWII ended, is now Seth Salzmann’s pride. He and Jennifer have a goal of completing Patton’s dream but meanwhile, their octogenarian vessel earns a living, sailing into sunsets between Salem, Ma., and Key West, Fl. Dylan Salzmann runs When and If while Seth and Jennifer sail Columbia from race to race. Last year, the brothers and schooners competed in the Marblehead Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta. Dylan and When and If took first place and no one was prouder than owner and big brother Seth.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

OPPOSITE PAGE: The

mighty Schooner Columbia during the 2018 ACYR

TOP: Highspeed

racing during the 2019 ACYR.

ABOVE: Jennifer and Seth Salzmann at the ACYR Owner’s Party RIGHT: Salzmann

sharing Gig racing skills with

Antiguan youth 51

PHOTOGRAPH BY TOBIAS STOERKLE

The magic of Charm III JUDE HARRISON

Some men boast about how many boats they have owned during their lives but one man is happy to tell you that he has owned just the one – and oh, what a boat – and what a special owner!

The boat in question is the beautiful John Alden-designed schooner Charm III, one of the famous Malabar Schooner series that dominated the ocean racing scene during the 1920s and 30s. Much has been written about this famous schooner over the years, built in Sweden in 1928, originally for the rum running business – hence her excellent turn of speed.

Sadly, that lucrative trade had dried up before she could enjoy it. But our story about Charm III begins in 1982 when she was spotted on the River Yealm in Plymouth, England, by the man who was to own and love her for the next 37 years – Richard West, together with his wife Maryse. He sailed her to their home in Anguilla and chartered with her for some years.

The first refit, just replacing a plank or two, a common enough necessity with older wooden boats, opened the horrible can of worms with which most classic boat owners are only too familiar. But in this case, a few new planks and a lick of paint were not going to cut it. And so began an epic refit to be done in the traditional Anguillan way, something Richard was most adamant about, but doing it “traditionally” did pose problems. The local boats are much smaller so Charm III, with her 24 tons and deep draft, was a different story, but the ‘never give up’ attitude of Richard prevailed. After four days of intense struggle with Charm III 52

rolled on her side, she made the beach. In so doing, some frames collapsed on the starboard side, simply adding to the enormous work load ahead. The refit was to last 16 years and she became a familiar sight under her shed on Sandy Ground Beach. The shed was to be rebuilt three times thanks to hurricanes but the boat remained steadfast.

A boatyard in Holland was closing down and their entire stock of dried, West African Iroko, already sawn into 2in 20ft planks, was shipped to Anguilla. White oak from Alsace, France was used for the frames. A total of 190 frames were replaced and the hull was completely re-planked: as they say “one plank at a time”, a slow and exacting process. But finally, in 2001, she was ready to launch to begin her new life, one that was to see some family cruising but a lot of racing and a lot of trophies, especially when the weather was up.

Refits continued over the years as is normal with an ageing older yacht, but that of 2017 in St Maarten was tragic.

Charm III was out of the water in the yard when hurricane Irma hit. The yacht beside her fell over, taking Charm III with her, and which took out her rig, those original hollow masts.

To rebuild them, Alaskan spruce was sourced and arrived in St Maarten by a rather circuitous route. Some planking had to be replaced, also some of the deck. Now only the keelson

and the deck house, undamaged by Irma, were original, You have to love Richard’s never say die attitude and his love of racing his beautiful boat despite the number of obstacles that have tried to get in his way.

In 2018 they were all ready for passage to Antigua for the Antiguan Classic Yacht Regatta, an event he has participated in almost every year since Charm III’s relaunch, but the engine had other ideas.The timing belt on the Perkins Prima 50 snapped and had driven all manner of bits through the side of the engine. Seven days to the start of the first race.

No problem. Under sail alone head for St Maarten, haul out, replace engine with a rebuilt Perkins 4108 that fortuitously would fit straight in. Just 48 hours to race start. As a fitting shake down for the new engine, the wind dropped and Charm III motored all the way to the start line.

Last year, in 2019, they were little late getting away from Anguilla for the trip to Antigua for the Regatta but weren’t bothered. However, the normally steady trade winds were up with a vengeance. They had been blowing strong for some weeks and a very nasty sea was running. An uncomfortable slow trip, with Antigua was in sight . . . then disaster. Some planks had sprung and Charm III was also taking on water from the stern gland.Turn back for St Kitts.

Hasty repairs then onto the racing. She may have missed the first race, but went on to win the rest and took the trophy for winning first in Vintage Schooner Class.

Richard and Maryse co-founded the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club, the youth arm of the Anguilla Sailing Association and have been instrumental in getting a long line of kids hooked on sailing. In 2007, with a youthful crew they cleaned up in the St Maarten Classic Regatta; Olympic sailor Rhone Kirby sailed aboard Charm III in 2008. In 2013 and to unanimous acclaim by other participants, Charm III was

PHOTOGRAPH BY GARY BROWN

ABOVE:

Exhausted relief for Richard and crew upon arrival in Antigua 2019 after their epic trip from Anguilla to Antigua via St Kitts BELOW: Celebrating their victory against all odds the first recipient of the new John Leader Trophy for the yacht which had done the most to provide opportunities for others, including sail training, while demonstrating good seamanship, sportsmanship and teamwork, thereby gaining the respect of all involved in the Regatta. And last year, in 2019, the Anguillan crew member Kendal MaCroy Richardson, after that adventurous journey to Antigua and some stunning racing, was awarded the Fitzroy Cup for Young Classic Sailor of the Year.

The Wests have always been generous with offers to sail aboard for the racing. You made sure you got to Charm III early on a race day so you could enjoy one of Maryse’s famous breakfasts.

Richard and Maryse and their lovely Charm III are truly classics.

PHOTOGRAPH BY GARY BROWN

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PHOTOGRAPH BY TOBIAS STOERKLE

A beautiful new Classic based on an old Herreshoff design:

Arrluuk ROBIN STOUT

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Steve and Tricia Frary, along with their 13-year-old daughter Elizabeth and 11-year-old son Nathaniel brought their Hereshoff ketch Arrluuk to the 2019 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta for the first time.They have always had a passion for classic boats and this seemed a great place to participate.

Not new to classic boats, having been raised in Barrington, Rhode Island, USA and learning to sail at the Barrington Yacht Club, Steve grew to love being on the water, especially on classic yachts. He recalls driving by what is now the Herreshoff Marine Museum as a child, mesmerized by the long narrow wooden boats lined up along the waterfront. Steve attended the Williams College Mystic Seaport Programme in American Maritime Studies while in college, then worked on the traditional topsail schooner Bill of Rights for three seasons as a deckhand between college and graduate school. After owning several classic boats, Steve, Tricia and their kids decided what they really wanted to do was to cruise the Caribbean, and began looking for the ideal boat to do this.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROB PEAKE

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

Arrluuk (Inuit for killer whale) stood out because of the accuracy of her hull and rig to the original plans, added to which she was extremely solidly built by Legendary Yachts in Washington State: cold-moulded on galvanized steel frames, carbon spars by Hall Spars in Bristol, electric primary winches and an electric main halyard winch.

The layout was tight, but they decided to buy her and commissioned Snediker Yachts to do major refit on her.

They were drawn to Arrluuk for several reasons: the quality of her construction was outstanding; she was a wooden boat built to a traditional design but using modern methods and materials, so she was very strong, but with a lower maintenance (to a degree!). The ketch rig divided the sail plan into smaller loads that would be manageable by the family – they wanted everyone in the family to be involved in sailing the boat. A traditional ketch not only has smaller loads, but more jobs. With

ABOVE TOP: Tricia

and Elizabeth Frary ABOVE: Steve Frary at the helm a main, staysail, jib and mizzen, and running back stays for both the main and the mizzen, plus a mizzen staysail, there are lots of lines to pull on: sheets, halyards, outhauls, Cunninghams, preventers, etc. And they felt it would be a great sail training platform for the kids compared to a push button modern boat. The family learned about the genius of L. Francis Herreshoff, and how he used long waterlines to give his boats speed potential, and modest split rigs to make them manageable, whereas his father, Nathaniel, was designing mostly racing boats, with long overhangs and massive rigs requiring large professional crews. And L Francis Herrehsoff is well known for designing some of the most beautiful sailing yachts of all time, Ticonderoga and Bounty among the most famous – in fact, Arrluuk is 55

PHOTOGRAPH BY TOBIAS STOERKLE PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

ABOVE:

Racing with the full crew BELOW: 11-year old Nathaniel to all intents and purposes a smaller version of the latter.

Antigua Classics was a big step-up for the Frarys, so they got some extra crew to help, including a brother, his friend with no sailing or racing experience, and a couple of other Dads from the cruising family community to join them. The conditions were ideal, with 15-20 knots most of the five days of racing.The first race was the Single-Handed, in which Steve had not originally planned to participate but somehow ended up doing so – and what a race it was! Arrluuk was the largest boat to take part and Steve had his hands full. Steve said “it was chaotic and exhausting, but I finished the race!”

They also had not planned to participate in the Concours d’Elégance either, but the race volunteers had strongly encouraged them to just enter and see how they would do. So the whole family and some of the crew worked late into the evening giving the boat as much attention as they had time for. They knew there was significant competition, so had modest expectations. When asked about the Concours Steve said, “When we won our class, we were happily surprised, but when it was announced that we were Overall Winner, we were stunned. We know the judges were impressed that a family live-aboard boat had worked so hard and presented a boat in such good shape. We were all very grateful for the recognition and gave all of us a real sense of pride and accomplishment.”

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PHOTOGRAPH BY TOBIAS STOERKLE

Blackfish: Symbol of Power and Strength JANE COOMBS

PHOTOGRAPH BY DEN PHILLIPS

A beautiful new Spirit of Tradition yacht, Blackfish, joined the fleet in Antigua in 2019. Her sleek black topsides, white boot-top and red hull certainly caught my eye, moored in Nelson’s Dockyard as she prepared for the Regatta. Later I was to learn that this new build represented a new love and a new beginning for her proud owners.

Ron Zarella had taken up sailing after college, raced the Atlantic and several Sydney to Hobart races in his Farr 40 decades ago before life, work and a family interest in the equestrian scene had moved to the forefront. Upon retirement, he finally had time to enjoy sailing again and, having recently moved to Nantucket, joined the Great Harbor Yacht Club and acquired one of the large fleet of 26ft Alerions. Based on the original 1913 design of Nathanial Herreshoff ’s own personal boat, Alerions were originally built at the Sanford Boat Company in Nantucket and are now built under license at Brooklin Boatyard. Whilst racing Seahorse in the Alerion Class of the Opera House Cup, Ron began to think about commissioning a larger classic himself.

At that time Carolyn Grant was Sailing Director at the Great Harbour Yacht Club. A three time IOD world champion, circumnavigator and head coach of the Hampton University’s sailing team, she was the ideal person for Ron to go to for advice whilst planning his new yacht. Happily, whilst they were having tremendous fun working on the planning and design, they fell in love and were married ten months later.

Though several different designers were considered, the final choice of American Jim Taylor, with his reputation for producing fast and beautiful classic yachts was, in fact, an easy one. With their strong interest in racing rather than

Blackfish beating past The Pillars of Hercules 57

cruising, the couple needed a yacht that would not only turn heads but win races. So they chose Brooklin Boatyard, well known for such SOT masterpieces as Race Horse, Bequia and Wild Horses, to spend the next 18 months applying their Maine magic to the build.

Following a tradition of Ron’s vessels having monikers based on sea creatures, she would be called Blackfish after the Native American Indian name for the much revered and sacred Orca whale, 49ft on deck with a 31.1ft waterline and a 11ft 6in beam, she is almost identical to another boat built at Brooklin, Dreadnought. Blackfish is a little deeper at 8ft 6in and has a larger cockpit for racing than her cruising sister ship. Lightly built at 16,000lbs with a carbon fibre rig, she regularly reaches speeds of 8 to 9 knots upwind and 14/15 off the wind. Ron calls her his Nautical Ferrari!

The typical light, classic American interior has off-white, satin paintwork complementing the varnished oak. She is spacious, elegant and comfortable even though there are no plans to live-aboard long-term. Brooklin’s trademark ergonomic touches executed to the highest standard are everywhere.

It is hard to believe that the faux painted carbon mast really isn’t Sitka Spruce. Even the end of the boom has age rings!

Immediately following her launch in May 2017, she went straight into a summer of racing in Nantucket with a developing dream team, including her designer, Jim Taylor, and culminating in Nantucket Race Week in August. Unfortunately plans to bring her to the Caribbean that winter had to be postponed due to the wrath of Hurricane Irma, so there

followed a winter at Brooklin and another exciting summer of regattas, including Marblehead, Bristol and Newport.

By 2019 her crew were in the groove and she was ready for Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Caroline had fond memories of her time on the island in 2000 when, upon finishing a round the world rally nearby, they had entered the fastest boat and best crew in Antigua Sailing Week with great success. Whilst coach captain for the Hamptons she had brought young sailors down in their Spring break from 2007 through 2009 making use of the facilities and boats at the Antigua Yacht Club, where she worked closely with Olympic laser sailor Karl James and Tommy Paterson.

Ron, however, was new to the island and Carolyn arranged to have Blackfish moored in historic Nelson’s Dockyard for their arrival. Ron was enthralled by the ambience of this unique Georgian harbour. Fully initiated with dinner at the Admiral’s Inn, his first roti and the world’s finest sailing conditions, Ron is now completely enamoured with Antigua.

Plans to ship her to the Mediterranean were altered upon hearing that Spirit of Tradition boats were not accepted universally there, so Blackfish was shipped back to the US for modifications to the rig at Brooklin and Ron and Carolyn chartered instead the beautiful vintage schooner Orinanda to participate in the glittering end of season Voiles de St.Tropez.

With a full programme of racing ahead of them, Ron’s new position as Commodore of the Great Harbour Yacht Club and Carolyn standing as Chairman of Nantucket Race Week, we hope nonetheless that this happy couple will find time to bring Blackfish to race with us again in the near future.

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILLY BLACK

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JODY SALLONS DAY

ABOVE: Owners, designers, builders

and friends take a bow during the Parade of Classics OPPOSITE PAGE: Blackfish’s light and airy interior BELOW: Ron and Carolyn enjoying their new pride and joy

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Antiguan trailblazer in the sailing world:

KARL JAMES PHOTOGRAPH BY TED MARTIN

SUSAN ELLIOT BEATTY

Antiguan Karl James, MBE, remembers that when he was a young boy growing up in English Harbour 40 years ago, the largest yacht in the dockyard was approximately 60ft. Thursday night racing was the big thing. Right after school the local boys would line up along the dock in order to be picked as ‘crew’. Karl made sure he was always first on site, determined not to be left behind. His first job was managing fenders and sail covers, then dock lines, and he always remained behind to help with clean up. This practice of being the first to arrive and the last to leave ensured that he became well known amongst the captains, guaranteeing him a spot onboard.

Since those early days in Nelson’s Dockyard, sailing has taken Karl to over 75 countries. He has achieved awards in various sailing classes both as helmsman and as professional crew, a unique achievement for an athlete in any sport. One of the few black Caribbean sailors to compete convincingly internationally, Karl has successfully helmed Lasers, Dragons, Sunfish and 6 Metres, worked professionally as tactician/trimmer/midbowman aboard the legendary J Class yachts and various superyachts.

He has sailed alongside decorated yachtsmen, elected heads of state, Kings and Princes. Most memorable was an informal personal meeting with Nelson Mandela in 2000.

In 1993, Dennis Connor, member of the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, gave Karl his first Laser dinghy. Recognizing talent and an innate drive to compete, the American yachtsman encouraged Karl to direct his focus towards mastering single-handed sailing.

This turned out to be percipient advice. Just one year later, Karl became the first Antiguan to compete in the Laser Class in the Central American Caribbean Games (CAC). He went on to compete many times in the CAC, winning a bronze medal in 2006. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Karl continued to race internationally in the Laser Class, attending the Pan American Games twice. One of Karl’s proudest achievements was to represent his country at the Olympic Games not only once in 1996 (Atlanta, USA) but again in 2000 (Sydney, AUS).

To date Karl is still the only Antiguan sailor to have competed at two Olympics.

In home waters Karl James has won every major sailing event in the Caribbean and single-handedly won the Caribbean Laser Championship 6 times, most recently only 3 years ago.

During 1997 – 2003 Karl won the Caribbean Laser Team Racing Championship as Captain of the Antiguan Team seven times consecutively – a record currently unbroken by any other country. Karl has won 13 National Laser Championships.

In 2017, Karl re-entered international Laser competitions, travelling to Croatia where he finished 17th in the rigorous Laser Master Worlds against an experienced elite.The following year, he improved his finish to 12th overall at the same event in

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland in spite of the bracingly cold conditions challenging to most sailors, let alone an Antiguan.

An intensely focused individual with a relentless work ethic, Karl successfully transferred the skills learned from helming Lasers to other types of boats, large and small. In 2001 he won a silver medal at the Sunfish Worlds, a level of achievement still unsurpassed by any individual athlete in Antigua. Of the superyacht championships he has won as professional crew, he would say he is most proud to have led the J Class yacht Ranger (as tactician, main sheet trimmer, and rules expert) to achieve three World Championships in 2007, 2008, and 2010 in Sardinia, Italy, at the Rolex Maxi Cup and Mini Maxi World Championships. To put this in context, racing in the elegant and historic J Class, let alone winning three world championships, is an incomparable experience in the sport, a ‘bucket list’ item for many. Numerous podium finishes from 2010 onwards were achieved as a professional aboard the 180ft superyacht Marie, including winning the St Bart’s Bucket in 2014, and, the biggest prize on the circuit, the Superyacht Cup in 2015 in Palma de Mallorca. Following his success with Marie, Karl was recruited onto the 125ft P2, which swept the podium in 2016 with first place finishes in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. This article would be remiss without mentioning Karl’s impressive history over 10 years as trimmer and tactician/local knowledge, beginning in 2005 with Sojana, the 115ft ketch owned by Sir Peter Harrison. In 2011 Sojana claimed the Lord Nelson Trophy for the first time at Antigua Race Week. That same year Karl stepped behind the helm of the 6 Metre at the Nationals in Finland (finishing 3rd), subsequently claiming 7th at the 6 Metre World Championship in a competitive fleet of 45 boats. In 2014 he had opportunity to helm a Dragon, similar in classic design to the 6 Metre, in the inaugural Antigua Dragon Challenge Invitational, conceived for America’s Cup and Olympic sailors.

Following a challenging week of racing Karl finished an impressive second behind the ‘Father of Dragons’ Poul Hoj-Jensen.

In total Karl has participated in 37 Antigua Sailing Week Regattas, and 25 Antigua Classic Yacht Regattas. In 2017 alone,

first place finishes were achieved in both events. As tactician, Karl guided Vagabundo II, the 42’ German Frers Bermudian Ketch, built in 1945, owned by Robbie Fabre, to win the Vintage Class C title in the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Aboard Sojana as professional crew/trimmer, victory was claimed at the 2017 edition of Antigua Sailing Week. In 2019, the Dragon Class was re-introduced to the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and Karl James, after 5 years away from the Class, helmed one of the 6 entries. Equipment breakdowns eliminated the possibility of a podium finish in the highly skilled fleet, but it is anticipated that Karl will return to compete in 2020.

Competition is only one part of Karl James’ contribution to the sailing community. In the greater Caribbean he is a recognized pioneer in sailing education. He has held the position as Manager of the Dinghy Sailing Programme at the Antigua Yacht Club (AYC) for almost thirty years, devoting his daily efforts to introduce local youth ages 6 to 25 to sailing, with a focus on creating a lifelong love for the sport. Karl himself claims that while he hopes to create future Olympians, the main objective is to make good citizens. He practises daily what he preaches, aware that he is a role model for his young students and an ambassador for his country. Committed to healthy life choices - no alcohol, no smoking, no drugs – Karl runs a tight ship. He counsels the kids on good behaviour and their accountability to the community, including adherence to a rigorous Code of Conduct both at home and abroad, introduced by Karl to the sailing programme at AYC. Karl has trained thousands of young people, creating competitive sailors, as well as marine employees and entrepreneurs. It is important to note that sailing is the only sport in Antigua that provides a direct pathway to a career.The majority of his former students work globally as skilled tradesmen in the marine industry, including captains of charter yachts and tour boats, pilots for the port authority, officers in the Coast Guard and US Navy and as professional crew on superyachts or in the America’s Cup. Karl continues to use his international contacts to arrange overseas university scholarships and assist young Antiguans to realize their higher educational goals.

In addition to youth development at AYC, Karl continues to work actively with many volunteer Committees and is currently the World Sailing Nominated Regional Expert for the Caribbean.

Most recently, in 2019, Karl was elected as Vice President of the Antigua and Barbuda Sailing Association, the National Member Authority responsible to World Sailing. He earned this position from over two decades of active involvement regarding issues for sailing athletes in the Caribbean. In 2010, Karl was appointed Director of the Board for the National Sailing Academy (NSA) and volunteered as Head of Training. From the NSA (a not for profit organization founded for the purpose of teaching local Antiguans watersports at low cost) kids with talent and dedication are identified and assisted into Optimist and Laser High Performance teams at AYC. In 2017 Karl volunteered to work on the Organizing Committee for the 2019 Optimist World Championship and travelled to Cyprus in 2018 to officially confirm the event on behalf of Antigua at the Annual General Meeting of Members of the International Optimist

Dinghy Association. At that time, even though a great event was anticipated, no one, not even Karl James, could have predicted that the 2019 Optimist Antigua World Championship hosted

by AYC and sailed out of Nelson’s Dockyard in the offseason month of July would achieve the outstanding overall World Record of 65 countries in attendance putting Antigua once more on the global map for outstanding achievement in sailing.

It should be no surprise to learn that Karl has earned official recognition over the years for his work in the sport and in the community. In 2001 Karl was awarded the Sportsman of the Year award. In 2006, he was made a Grand Officer of the Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage. In 2016 for his 25 years of dedication to the people in the parish of St Paul’s, Antigua he was awarded the Community Service Award. In summer 2019 Karl accepted the Governor General’s Faithful and Meritorious Service Cross, a most prestigious national honour given for performance in yachting and sailing. On December 27, 2019 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of the celebration of the New Year 2020, appointed Karl James a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), for his outstanding contribution to sailing and national development. One of the Levels of the British Honours system, which includes the Overseas Commonwealth Territory of Antigua, this is an award presented by the Queen herself. To receive such a high honour was probably beyond the imaginings of the young Antiguan boy folding sail covers in the dockyard 40 years ago, but it is one well deserved in recognition of a life wholly dedicated to the community and to the sport that has ensued in the years since.

What is next for Karl James? Without doubt the next decade will witness continued development of sailing in the community, for the youth, and for the nation. Recently Karl was asked what advice he would give young sailors who are considering a career in sailing: “Have the ability to fit in, be willing to learn, and understand the role assigned. Focus on short- and long-term goals but be adaptable to change. Keep your options open and talk to a lot of people in the industry. In my experience, the best sailors don’t always make the best crew. Many other factors come into play such as dependability, integrity, and readiness to take responsibility. Remember that you are always an ambassador for your country and must conduct yourself accordingly. Most important, give back to your community and help others grow as well. To succeed, work is inevitable, but if you do what you love, it won’t seem so hard.”

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FROM BARN-FIND TO BEAUTIFUL TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHS BY JANE COOMBS

Enthusiasm keeps growing for our annual Classic Vehicle Rendezvous held in unison with the Parade of Classics.

In its fifth year, more than 20 superb vehicles have now been located on the island and we are working hard to bring them all together for this event. The owners are thoroughly enjoying becoming acquainted, sharing the stories of their restorations and encouraging the interest that they receive from the crowd on the day.

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Last year part of the collection formed a stunning visual line up (pictured above) in red, green and gold Rastafari colours in front of the historic Copper and Lumber Store Hotel as the classic yachts paraded by on the water.

Mr. Frank Ferraz’s yellow 1976 Chevrolet Corvette shone in the sunlight centrestage . Schooled in America he had always dreamed of owning one of these cars and eventually found one in a garage in Antigua with rats nesting in it in 2002. He spent the next ten years lovingly restoring it. Keeping these vehicles on the road, as you can imagine has its challenges but these owners are determined to locate necessary parts wherever they may found and put in the endless hours of labour to keep these beauties of yesteryear running. It is an indulgent love affair that only a classic yacht owner could understand. One advantage for Frank is that parts are easier to find for American cars than English but this does not deter him from searching for yet another classic car, a Mini, to replace the first car he ever owned.

A regular sight around the harbour, Lauren Donawa’s red 1970 MGB Roadster looked dashing as always. He explained to me that during colonial times, everything was imported from England and these British cars were just the regular daily cars on the island: MGs, Hillmans, Morris Minors to name a few. It was not until the late 70s/ early 80s that American models started to come in, followed of course by Japanese cars. Lauren had always wanted an MGB since he was a child and finally purchased this one in 2008 before prices sky rocketed.

At each end of the line-up were two magnificent green vehicles, the pride and joy of a leading light in classic car restoration on the island, John Hall. One is his magnificent and rare 1957 MK 1 Jaguar that he acquired in 1981. He has carried out a last nut and bolt restoration – even sending the engine back to Jaguar in England to be reconditioned. The other car is his pristine 1973 MGB GT V8.

Another entry of note was newcomer Dave Martin with his recently restored 1967 BSA B44 motor bike (pictured here). Purchased on eBay in New Mexico he stripped down and rebuilt it on his gallery in four months last year. (He was only allowed to keep it there for four months so the pressure was on!) He has another one in the pipeline too.

Please do come and enjoy our Classic Car Rendezvous on the afternoon of April 5th 2020 and please contact Jane Coombs at jccomfortzone@gmail.com if you have an eligible vehicle. You would be very welcome.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH:

the Antigua Classics

TEXT BY MATTHEW P. MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREW BREECE

“This Regatta is seriously the greatest show on Earth!” That’s what Andrew Breece, the publisher of WoodenBoat magazine, told me upon his return from the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta last year. His enthusiasm was undiminished since he and I had escaped the late New England winter a few years previously to sail in Antigua Classics with a group of adventurous readers of WoodenBoat. We were awed then by how the event is a melting pot of famous designers from around the world. It is also an opportunity for spectacular encounters with the world’s great sailing yachts, both on and off the racecourse. Andrew said it was like meeting celebrities on the street…and then being invited to dinner with them.

TOP:

Anne Marie, Spirit of Bermuda and Columbia.

Dorade

RIGHT:

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Coral of Cowes; Elena, Blackwatch (BACKGROUNd); Genesis; Ticonderoga OPPOSITE TOP LEFT: Elena; RIGHT: Summer Cloud; BOTTOM LEFT: Mariella and Genesis; RIGHT: Anne Marie

I recall sailing in the event several years ago, and looking up from my station on a headsail winch on the 88ft Baglietto ketch Sincerity just as we were being rolled by the 180ft (sparred length) Herreshoff schooner Elena at a downwind mark. The sight of the deck crew dousing the spinnaker and sheeting Elena’s remaining 12000 square feet of sail as it cast a shadow across our deck was breathtaking. The sound of it – shouted orders and cheering – was like being passed by a professional football game, and I won’t soon forget it.

And I won’t soon forget walking the docks in the twilight after the racing, encountering legendary yachts from both sides of the Atlantic, and the Pacific. It’s a classic boat show and regatta rolled into one. In fact, the racing culminates in a grand parade, and a Concours d’Elégance pays tribute to both the private and professional efforts of those who maintain the competing yachts.

Consider these recent competitors: The 103ft staysail schooner Eros; the legendary 72ft L. Francis Herreshoff ketch Ticonderoga; the 73ft William Fife ketch Eilean, the 51ft K. Aage Nielsen-designed ketch Saphaedra; the 76ft Joel White sloop Wild Horses; Olin Stephens’s breakthrough 52ft yawl Dorade; the incomparable 65ft Gannon & Benjamin schooner Juno; Mat Barker’s 64ft Alfred Mylne sloop The Blue Peter; Tom Gallant’s 46ft Tancook schooner Avenger from Nova Scotia; and the 15-Metre Fife cutter Tuiga. The list goes on, as do the hailing ports: Germany, 64

France, Italy, Canada, the United States.

The local boats are as remarkable as the visitors: Carlo Falcone’s 80ft Mariella; a fleet of one-design Dragons; Geoffrey Pidduck’s 6-Metre Biwi Magic, and the fleet of Carriacou sloops.These purposeful Caribbean workboats sail on their feet, their crews dry, happy, and sailing fast in the prevailing Antigua trade winds, their brightly painted hulls and workboat rigs standing in vivid contrast to the acres of flawless varnish all around them. (The photographer Alexis Andrews, who owns and sails the Carriacou sloop Genesis, has immortalized them in two books Vanishing Ways and Genesis, and in the recent film Vanishing Sail.

Learn more about the film at www.vanishingsail.com.)

Antigua is the perfect site for the Regatta. The island itself is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, and has 54 miles of spectacular coastline.The sailing venue is beautiful, reliable, and world class. Sun-dappled turquoise waters are graced by a prevailing 15-20-knot easterly breeze and 70-80-degree average temperatures. For this son of New England, the lack of need for foul weather gear is refreshing

and amusing: spray-soaked clothes dry within minutes.

The names for the daily racecourses have become as classic as the yachts themselves: Old Road, with is overlapping triangles; Butterfly, with its slalom-like adjacent triangles; Windward, with its spectacular weaving of windward and downwind work; and the The Kenny Coombs Memorial Cannon, an apt moniker both for its description and namesake. For Kenny Coombs, who died in October 2013, was co-founder of Antigua Classics, which was first sailed in 1988 by a fleet of just seven boats. From that humble beginning, it rapidly rose to become the Caribbean’s premier events for classic yachts – and, indeed, one of the premier classic yachting events in the world. It routinely hosts 50-60 yachts and is, indeed, the melting pot of designers that Andrew Breece noted above. And it is also a wealth-agnostic melting pot of sailors, all brought together by a common passion for classic yachts.

As Kenny Coombs once said, “Everyone here is on the same level, whether you come in flip flops or private jet.

We’re here for the sailing.”

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Morgaine and Eilean PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

Mythical MORGAINE JUDE HARRISON

When you start sailing at four, cross the Atlantic with your Mum when in your teens, and have a Dad that builds boats, all manner of boats, in the back yard, 14 to date and counting, it stands to reason you will end up committed to sailing and the sea. So it has been with Guido Schotman.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

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His father builds boats as a hobby and launched Morgaine in 1986 (Guido says that his father tends to name his boats after characters in Arthurian legends, Morgaine being the sorceress…). She is a scaled-down version of the StirlingBurgess design Nina, 42ft on deck, 45ft with her lovely bowsprit. He built her as a world cruiser and he built her strong. Steel-framed and solid with 10mm steel plate in way of the central plate then 8,6 and 5 grading to the steel decks. With only three sea cocks and the Mitsubishi 42hp engine having an internal keel cooling dry exhaust, it makes for an extremely “tight” seaworthy hull. It is for these reasons that Morgaine won the coveted and well-deserved Arne Frizzell prize for seaworthiness and timeless tradition.

The Schotman family are all involved with boats and the sea – Grandfather was an officer in the Netherlands navy, though with a somewhat checkered career, something about a submarine and an encounter with a cliff comes to mind. Elder brother is a designer working with the Dutch company Tamoline that builds power boats, their chief

customer being the Netherlands coast guard. Guido and his mother crossed the Atlantic in the early 80s aboard Tomidi, formerly Rucanor, an ex-Whitbread competitor.

Then there is Father, though a dentist by trade, his passion is boats, a passion that keeps him busy in the back yard.There was the 18-metre two-masted schooner, the Lyell Hess 26ft lift keel sharpie among his collection and the recently acquired wrecked 22ft Harrison Butler that he is restoring and it will be lovely if the interior of Morgaine is an example of his work. The warm welcoming interior is in mahogany with a high gloss finish.The solid fuel stainless steel heater attests to her high latitude home waters, sailing and the fully gimballed stove to her comfortable cruising.The bulkheads in Morgaine host framed photographs of some of the Schotman’s fleet.

Over the years Morgaine has had constant refits. 2017 saw major work, new seacocks, painting, including unstepping the 19-metre mast, refurbishing and finishing with ten coats of varnish. The engine has been replaced, as has the furling gear and over the years, a procession of new

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

sails, always keeping her in top condition. In Antigua the boom was repaired when a split appeared.The first days of racing in 2019 saw strong winds and choppy seas and there were casualties throughout the fleet.

The Single-Handed race was sailed in rather boisterous conditions and while Morgaine wasn’t first there was only 1 minute 15 seconds between her and the winner. He may not have taken first place trophy but Guido definitely took the prize for best dressed at the prize giving in his amazingly colourful suit.

Every year the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta attracts a fleet of magnificent yachts and with them comes the grandest assortment of sailors. Indeed it is perhaps they themselves who are the real stars of the show, with their slightly offbeat outlook on life, their yen for exciting sailing, and the great capacity for a good time. Guido Schotman certainly ticks all the boxes…

Fun-loving Guido in his crazy suit

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WRIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

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PHOTOGRAPH BY TOBIAS STOERKLE

Sailing Schools keeping old traditions alive ROBIN STOUT

The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta is the perfect setting in which to hand down the traditions of sailing classic yachts to the next generation. Two sailing schools, New Moon and Ocean Star, share these traditions, as well as giving their students the opportunity to race in a spectacular regatta. The boats, however, couldn’t be more different. New Moon is a wooden-hulled, Carriacou sloop with no engine, built using traditional methods on the beaches of Windward in Carriacou by Bernard Compton and launched in 2010.

In contrast, Ocean Star is a steel-hulled, two-masted schooner, designed by Murray G. Peterson Associates and built by Howdy Bailey Marine Metals in the US. She was launched in 1991 and has been part of the Seamester fleet since 2000. Ocean Star is 88ft overall with an 18.6ft beam and a 9ft draft. The height of the main mast is 95ft with 3100sq ft of sail area..

New Moon may be small in length at 32ft but is certainly big in spirit. She was purchased in 2018 by the West Indies Sail Heritage (WISH) Foundation, a non-profit organisation registered and based in Antigua. WISH, founded by Billy Gernett and Charlotte Hooijdonk, has a two-fold mission: to guide young people on a voyage of self-discovery and confidence-building through a hands-on experience aboard a traditionally-built Caribbean sailing vessel, and foster environmental stewardship. To encourage local youth to take part in the programme, the WISH Foundation offers a free “open sail” aboard New Moon for youth ages 13-19 on most Saturdays at the National Sailing Academy in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua. For many kids, this is the first time they have sailed outside the bay. Out on the water, the kids learn the rudiments of sailing, the basics of navigation, and the 68

importance of teamwork. They all rotate positions to learn every aspect of sailing the boat. By providing island youth with the experience of sailing New Moon, Billy and Charlotte hope to kindle a passion for sailing and open up opportunities to pursue further education and follow a maritime career. In addition, WISH works with Adopt-A-Coastline to help clean the beaches and at the same time to instil the belief that young people of Antigua are the guardians of their island.

The WISH Foundation (www.caribwish.com) has big goals for the future. They plan to acquire more boats and build an inter-island network of student sailors whose horizons will be broadened by their experience. Billy and Charlotte believe that making sailing training available for teens will help them in achieving the best personal growth possible as well as developing team skills and enhancing self-confidence.They

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

understand the impact and importance of sailing and how it affects the lives and the building of character in young people.

Enthusiasm is a key to success and Billy and Charlotte are very enthusiastic and are great in motivating the kids to get the best out of them. 2019 was the first time this group sailed in the Antigua Classics: they look forward to taking part in many more and we look forward to welcoming their continued participation and applauding their very commendable efforts.

Ocean Star (in addition to Seamester at Sea’s other schooner, Argo, who has also participated in the Antigua Classics many times, and their new vessel Vela) is a school ship that has a primary mission of educating university students aboard for a full semester, offering 12 college credits. She has taken part in the Antigua Classics five times, the last two being 2018 and 2019. The four staff and 16 students spend most of their time coastal sailing, rather than crossing oceans, giving them more opportunities to explore ashore as well as get scuba certifications in addition to sailing. When at sea, the students take charge and trim the sails, monitor all systems and chart the courses as well as planning and preparing all the meals. It is really gratifying to what extent the students take pride in how Ocean Star looks and performs. They join Ocean Star from all over and for many different reasons, but once aboard they all become part of one team. The students often say that the ship becomes part of the team and part of themselves: she becomes their home. Travis Yates, Managing Operations Director, said “Based on last year and all the years we have had the pleasure to race in the Classics, the Antigua Classics Regatta is always a highlight of our spring sailing schedule. The yachts, the people and PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

the spirit of the event are awe-inspiring and amazing! The fantastic sailing in Antigua and the spirit of tradition are two things that just have to be experienced.”

Antigua is the perfect setting to pass along the spirit of sailing classic yachts to the next generation and New Moon and Ocean Star both play a big part in that process, as did sailing school Schooner Ruth in 2018, back again this year – the only steel-hulled yacht in the world to be built on a beach in Barbados.

OPPOSITE: Ocean

Star and New Moon at the 2019 Antigua Classics albeit racing in different classes.

ABOVE LEFT & CENTRE: Young students on New Moon TOP RIGHT: Founder Billy Gernett ABOVE & BELOW: Students on Ocean Star sporting their Mount Gay hats PHOTOGRAPH BY RONI STOUT

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBIN STOUT

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NAME

LOD

DESCRIPTION

BUILT

VINTAGE CLASS VINTAGE SCHOONER CLASS 1. Charm III 50ft Staysail Schooner 2. Mary Rose 54ft Herreshoff Schooner 3. Eros 103ft William McKeek Staysail Schooner

1928 1926 1939

VINTAGE OTHER SAIL PLAN CLASS 1. Seefalke II 41ft H Rasmussen Bermuda Sloop 2. Mariella 79ft Alfred Mylne Bermudan Yawl 3. The Blue Peter 65ft Alfred Mylne Cutter 4. Peter von Seestermuehe 59ft Henry Gruber Yawl 5. Eilean 72ft William Fife Bermudan Ketch

1936 1938 1930 1936 1936

CLASSIC CLASS CLASSIC SCHOONER CLASS 1. Severine 53ft 2. Avenger 47ft 3. Columbia 141ft 4. Ocean Star 88ft

Gaff Rigged Schooner Gaff Rigged Schooner Starling-Burgess Gloucester Fishing Schooner Murray G Peterson Schooner

CLASSIC OTHER SAIL PLAN CLASS 1. Arrluuk 57.5ft Herreshoff Bounty Ketch 2. Mah Jong 52ft Sparkman & Stephens Yawl 3. Hilaria 53ft Yawl 4. Morgaine 42ft One-off Burgess Sloop 5. Paloma VI 32ft J. Alfonso Allende

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICHARD SHERMAN

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1993 1967 2014 1991 1997 1957 1966 1986 1964

2019

ENTRIES NAME

LOD

DESCRIPTION

BUILT

TRADITIONAL CLASS 1. Genesis 2. Sweetheart 3. New Moon 5. Vendia

42ft 36ft 31ft 70ft

Alwyn Enoe Carriacou Sloop Zepharin McLaren Carriacou Sloop Bernard Compton Carriacou Sloop Gaff Ketch

2003 1987 2010 1943

64.5ft 49ft 80ft 43ft

Sean Macmillan Spirit Sloop Taylor 49 Sloop Palmer Johnson Frers/Alden Sloop Dykstra Sloop

2015 2017 1990 2018

50ft 30ft 40ft

John Alden Ketch Bruce King Sloop Hinckley Bermuda Yawl

1968 1965 1969

SPIRIT OF TRADITION 1. Chloe-Giselle 2. Blackfish 3. Volterra 4. Willpower

CLASSIC GRP 1. Petrana 2. Iris J 3. Lazy Leg

TALL SHIPS 1. Chronos 2. Rhea 3. Athos

156ft Klaus Rรถder Staysail Ketch 156ft Klaus Rรถder Staysail Schooner 183.33ft Andre Hoek Truly Classic 85

2013 2017 2005

DRAGON CLASS 1. Rendezvous 2. Pigeon 3. Hawksbill 4. Jolly 5. Windward 6. Jabberwock

29ft 29ft 29ft 29ft 29ft 29ft

Pettycrow Dragon Pettycrow Dragon Pettycrow Dragon Pettycrow Dragon Pettycrow Dragon Pettycrow Dragon

HISTORIC CLASS (Pre-1977 design) 1. Sleeper 2. Rita 3. Montana 4. Biwi Magic

48ft 30ft 14.8ft 33ft

Swan 48 Sloop Sloop 6-Metre

1973 1963 1973 1907

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Trophy Winners 2019 All ClassWinners were presented with a Locman Watch VINTAGE SCHOONER CLASS

HISTORIC CLASS

Lyman-Morse at Wayfarer Marine Trophy Charm III

ACYR Historic Class Trophy Sleeper

Antigua Slipway Trophy for Best Elapsed Time Mary Rose

ACYR Trophy for Best Elapsed Time Sleeper

VINTAGE OTHER SAIL PLAN CLASS

CLASSIC GRP CLASS

Beken of Cowes Trophy Seefalke II

Antigua Boatbuilders & Carpentry Trophy Petrana

ACYR Trophy for Best Elapsed Time Mariella

Sunshine Trophy for Best Elapsed Time Petrana

CLASSIC SCHOONER CLASS

TALL SHIPS

Mount Gay Rum Trophy Severine A&F Sails Trophy for Best Elapsed Time Columbia

World Peace Trophy Chronos

CLASSIC OTHER SAIL PLAN CLASS

Fitzroy Cup for Young Classic Sailor of the Year Kendal Macroy Richarson (Charm III)

Archibald Reid Trophy Arrluuk A&F Sails Trophy for Best Elapsed Time Arrluuk

TRADITIONAL CLASS

ACYR Trophy for Best Elapsed Time Rhea

John Leader Trophy Voted Most Respected Yacht by Other Participants New Moon

Superyachts & Supermodels Trophy Genesis

Seahorse Studio Trophy for Spirit of the Regatta New Moon

Kenny Coombs Memorial Trophy For Best Elapsed Time Genesis

Anne Wallis White Trophy for Smallest Boat (LOD) Jolly

SPIRIT OF TRADITION CLASS

Anne Wallis White Trophy for Largest Boat (LOD) Athos

Ticonderoga Trophy Chloe Giselle Antigua Sails Trophy Chloe Giselle

DRAGON CLASS Antigua Dragon Yacht Club Challenge Rendezvous ACYR Trophy for Best Elapsed Time Jolly PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN HEIN

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Den Phillips Trophy for Most Photogenic Yacht Eilean Woodstock Trophy for Most Restored Yacht Paloma IV Marine Power Services Trophy for Earliest Launch Mary Rose Jane’s Yacht Services Trophy for Best Dressed Crew Blackfish

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