From its salty, rum-soaked beginnings in the 1960s to its current status as a world-renowned event celebrating maritime heritage, the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (ACYR) remains one of the most beautiful and prestigious sailing gatherings on the planet. Held in mid-April this year, the edition provided five days of elegant racing, set against the turquoise waters off Antigua’s southern coast and the historic backdrop of Antigua’s Nelson’s Dockyard.
A tradition rooted in rivalry and rum
Back in the early charter days of the 1960s, classic yachts wintering in English Harbour would often finish their seasons with an informal race down to Guadeloupe. This light-hearted showdown eventually inspired the formation of Antigua Sailing Week in 1967. But as the decades passed, sleek modern racers began to outnumber the original wooden craft. By the late 1980s, the remaining classics were being lumped in with cruising classes—a less-than-ideal fit for full-keeled yachts built more for grace than agility.
That all changed in 1987 when skippers Uli Pruesse and Kenny Coombs, aboard the magnificent schooner Aschanti of Saba, gathered a few fellow captains together. What came out of that evening was the birth of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, a stand-alone event celebrating the craftsmanship and character of classic vessels.
Since then, ACYR has grown steadily, thanks to a dedicated committee and strong international support. The arrival of Endeavour, lovingly restored by Elizabeth Meyer, and Spirit of St Kitts, brought by Baron Edmond Rothschild in 1991, raised the event’s profile. CSR became the first sponsor and introduced the now-iconic Concours d’Elégance.
Today, the regatta is open to a wide range of classic and traditionally styled yachts, each judged not just on speed, but on authenticity and aesthetic. Most competitors fall into one of three categories:
- Classics: Typically wooden or steel yachts with full keels and traditional rigs. Some may be fibreglass if they descend from a wooden design and have the proper hull form.
- Spirit of Tradition: Yachts with classic lines and styling, regardless of build material or underwater configuration.
- Modern Classics: Monohulls designed before 1988, often with more modern profiles but still reflecting the spirit of traditional sailing.
The racing schedule kicked off with the Single-Handed Race on Wednesday 16 April—always a crowd-pleaser and, for 2025, it was expected to draw the largest fleet in recent memory. Each subsequent day brought a new race, culminating in the fourth and final on Sunday 20 April, followed by the Parade of Classics through English Harbour—a photogenic spectacle.
Courses ranged from 20 to 24 nautical miles, charted to provide fair competition and stunning scenery. From tacking battles off the coast to majestic reaches under full sail, each race was as much a celebration of seafaring art as it was a contest.
Alongside the on-water action, Nelson’s Dockyard hosted a rich programme of shore-side activities. The Concours d’Elégance, judged on the preservation and originality of each yacht, set the tone.
Forty-three yachts were expected to compete; but only thirty-six look to have made it to the start line. The oldest yacht was Galatea, a 72-foot Marconi-rigged yawl launched in 1899. The longest entry is Rhea, a breathtaking 157-foot staysail ketch launched in 2017 as a replica, exemplifying the blend of new and old that defines the regatta. At the other end of the size scale were two 30-footers: Rita, a 1963 sloop, and Blue Peter (Absolute Properties), a J30 from 1979.
One of the standout entries is Saharet of Tyre, a 114-foot teak Bermudian ketch launched in 1933. Her sweeping lines and warm timberwork symbolised everything the regatta seeks to honour: enduring craftsmanship, elegance under sail, and the romance of a bygone era.
Winners by class
Modern A: Caccia alla Volpe (a Vallicelli yacht design) owned by Carlo Falcone.
Modern B: Absolute Properties Blue Peter (a J30 design) owned by Tanner Jones.
Classic GRP: Petrana (a ketch) owned by Paul Deeth.
Spirit of Tradition: Freya (a sloop) owned by Don Ward.
Traditional: Arro (a Falmouth working boat) owned by Mark Cann.
Vintage: The Blue Peter Alfred (a Mylne 65 design) owned by Matthew Barker.
Schooner: Charm III (a schooner) owned by Richard West.
Tall Ships: Rhea (a Klaus Röder 157 design) owned by Sailing-Classics CV
Once again, the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta honoured the beauty, history, and craftsmanship of the boats, and the people who sail them with passion.
