Antigua Sailing Week, scheduled for 26 April to 2 May 2025, remains one of the world’s premier sailing regattas, drawing sailors and yachts from around the globe. Traditionally, it attracts over 100 yachts, ranging from nimble 24-footers to grand 100-foot superyachts. However, this year, the event has seen a reduction in fleet size, with 53 entries from across the globe. While the number of entries has decreased, the competition remains fierce, with a mix of classic yachts and modern performance machines that promise thrilling racing.
The fleet continues to feature a diverse array of yachts — everything from leisurely cruising boats to state-of-the-art racing machines — ensuring that the event still delivers both exciting competition and visual spectacle. Some familiar faces are back, alongside newcomers eager to make their mark on the regatta. Among them, the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta also sees some of its classics participating, adding an additional touch of elegance to the week.
A brief history
Founded in 1968 by a group of hoteliers seeking to extend Antigua’s tourist season, Antigua Sailing Week has evolved into a premier Caribbean sailing event. Originally supported by the Antigua Hotel Association, the first regatta included yachts from the US, Canada, and the Caribbean, alongside fishing contests and powerboat races. Over the years, the classic yachts separated to form their own regatta in 1988, while the main event continued to grow. The event date shifted to the last Sunday in April, and while certain traditions like workboat races were phased out, the Guadeloupe to Antigua Race remains a staple. Today, Antigua Sailing Week continues to captivate sailors and spectators alike.
The racing programme
This year’s event formally kicked off with the Peters & May Round Antigua Race on Saturday 25 April, a 52-mile race around the island serving as a warm-up for the main events. The race was a prelude to the following week’s races, with competitors gearing up for the main action. The racing programme continues with daily themed race days, starting on Sunday 27 April with the English Harbour Rum Race Day. On Monday 28 April, the Marine Resort Women’s Race Day takes centre stage, followed by Antigua Sailing Week Race Day 3 on Tuesday 29 April. Wednesday 30 April is a Lay Day, offering crews a well-deserved break before racing resumes on Thursday 1 May with the Falmouth Ocean Club Y2K Race Day. The week wraps up on Friday 2 May with the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Race Day.
Race classes and competitors
To ensure the highest quality of racing, Antigua Sailing Week employs two separate start areas for different classes of yachts, allowing for close, exciting competition across nine distinct categories. These include everything from high-performance race boats like the Volvo 65s and TP52s to cruising divisions featuring yachts like the J30.
While last year saw a full complement of competitors, this year’s fleet has been reduced, with 53 entries. However, despite the reduced number, the racing remains just as competitive, featuring yachts from countries such as Italy, Antigua and Barbuda, the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Barbados, Finland, Poland, Switzerland, and more. Some classic racing yachts from the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta are also present, including the modified Cal 40 Huey Too and IOR boats like Caccia Alla Volpe.
Notably, El Ocaso (J 122) returns in CSA Racing 2, continuing its dominance from last year. Also returning is CREDIT MUTUEL – Jivaro (J 133) in CSA Racing 3, and Escapado (Beneteau First 40.7), the previous winner in CSA Racing 4. In the Bareboat Divisions, BRAQUE – KH+P and Lunatic Fringe – Island Time III are back, alongside new entries like KH+P – Masty Girl and KH+P – Revival.
This year’s fleet also includes fresh entries like Eira (Swan 51) and Caipirinha (First 40.7), which add a new competitive dimension across various classes.
The 2025 Peters & May Round Antigua Race
In the Peters & May Round Antigua Race on Saturday (April 26, 2025), Roy Disney’s Pyewacket 70 claimed line honours after a fierce battle with Adrian Lee’s HH66 Lee Overlay Partners III. Both yachts raced closely for much of the 50-mile course, with Pyewacket initially leading but Lee Overlay Partners gaining an advantage during a squall. However, Pyewacket accelerated, reaching speeds of up to 20 knots, and extended its lead to finish first in 4 hours 44 minutes. The team also secured victory on corrected time in the CSA Racing Monohull 1 class.
Meanwhile, Steve Rigby’s El Ocaso dominated the CSA Cruising Monohull class, overcoming a tough outbound leg and squally conditions to hold its lead and finish first on corrected time, with Escapado (Beneteau First 40.7) securing second and Huey Too (Cal 40) finishing third.
These results set the stage for a highly competitive regatta, with crews showing impressive performance in challenging conditions.
Early results and exciting prospects
As of today, 28 April, early results have shown exciting competition, particularly in CSA Racing 1, where Pyewacket 70 dominates. Sisi (VO65) and Sailing Poland (VOR 65) are still in the running, but the competition is close. In CSA Racing 2, Dauntless (Beneteau First 47.7) has held a tight lead with two first-place finishes, while Wavewalker is in second.
In CSA Racing 3, El Ocaso leads with a perfect score of 2.0, followed by Danish Blue in second with 4.0. Team Oystercatcher on Liquid ranks third with 7.0. Other notable results include CREDIT MUTUEL – JIVARO in fourth and Warthog and Whistler tied at 9.0 points.
In CSA Racing 4, More Zessin’ (J105) and CACCIA ALLA VOLPE (One Off IOR) are tied for first with 3.0 points from one win and one second placing each. Caipirinha (First 40.7) follows in third with 7.0, while Panacea X (Salona 45) ranks fourth with 8.0.
In CSA Bareboat, KH+P – REVIVAL (Moorings 44.3) leads, followed by Sorrel (Moorings 44.3) and KH+P-Joya (Dufour 44.3) in third. North Star (Dufour 44.3), Talisman IV (Moorings 42.3), and Masty Girl (Moorings 42.3) are also in the top six.
In CSA Club Class A, Eira (Swan 51) took first, followed by Voilactus (Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44) in second. Jigsaw (Oyster 53) secured third.
In CSA Club Class B, Absolute Properties (Blue Peter) (J30), followed by Cricket (Beneteau First 35) and Huey Too (Modified Cal 40) in third with 3.0 points.
In the ASW 2025 One Design RS Elite division where they held eight races, Splice (Geoffrey Pierini) took first with 9 points. De Boom (Paul Deeth) finished second with 15 points. Zan (Lesley Martin) and Brown Skin Girl (Richard) were third and fourth, both with 28 points.
The competition is fierce in all divisions, and as the regatta progresses, we expect more thrilling races and an exciting battle for supremacy across the fleet.
Stay tuned for further updates as the racing continues. The 2025 Antigua Sailing Week promises more spectacular performances, a competitive fleet, and plenty of action on the water as the regatta unfolds.
