Nelson's Dockyard welcomed sailors from across the globe to the Copper & Lumber Store Hotel on Wednesday for a weather and safety briefing ahead of Antigua Sailing Week's four-day round-the-island regatta. According to Antigua News Room, race officer Chris Mansfield addressed the light air conditions forecast for Thursday's start during the briefing.
"The cruisers will start first and have a laid-back ride to Green Island," Mansfield said following the session. "The racers will have a challenging test ahead of them. The boats that perform best tomorrow will be the ones who are gentlest with their manoeuvres. In this kind of weather, you have to move around the boat like a cat."
The briefing, presented by The Residences at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, also featured ASW President Alison Sly-Adams, who outlined the week's entertainment schedule. Highlights include a barefoot barbecue at Green Island hosted by Falmouth Ocean Club, steel pan music at The Hut, and a beach festival with vendors and live music at Ffryes Beach. Sailors rounded out the briefing by sampling Nautical Nomads, Nikki Beach's signature cocktail.
Among those gathering for the event, cruiser Nancy Karr said the camaraderie aboard the 36-foot catamaran Tropic Bird was her primary draw. "The joy of having five people on the boat — it's all fun and no stress," she said. Class 2 racer Hans Voorn, aboard Contigo – Team Hi-1, struck a more competitive note. "Sailing, sun, and fun — that's all we need. And winning. We want to win," he said.
Also joining the gathering were the winners of the Antigua Sailing Week Happy Kids School Art Competition, an annual contest inviting students to capture the excitement of sailing, island landscapes, and the spirit of adventure. Overall winner Zoey Carter of Sir Novelle Richards Academy and People's Choice winner Savanah Holborough of St. Nicholas Primary School displayed their original works at the event, drawing praise for their talent and creativity.
A welcome party sponsored by the Citizenship by Investment Unit followed the formal proceedings, featuring performances by the Hell's Gate Steel Orchestra and traditional Caribbean carnival dancing from The Xclamation Performers. Several crew members enthusiastically joined the dancing as sailors mingled and exchanged stories of ocean adventures.
The regatta's first leg departs from Windward Bay at 10:30 AM, with sailors expected to finish at Green Island by 3 PM. Now in its 57th year, Antigua Sailing Week remains one of the Caribbean's premier spring racing events.
