One of the most fun sailing events in the Caribbean is Antiqua’s “Race Week”. This event began in 1967 at Falmouth Harbour, where a handful of old wooden boats queued up on a made up start line to began a week of a “just for fun” sailing regatta that honored the last two weeks of the Caribbean sailing season before the yachts sailed back to their home ports in Europe, South America and South Africa. From this humble moment in 1967, a tradition has grown into one of the world’s top five sailing regatta’s. And, it is the # 1 sailing regatta in the world on tonnage.
Over the past forty years, this event has grown into one of the most competitive amateur sailing events one can imagine. Competition between the world class cres is sportsmanlike, but fierce; a lot of time, money and preparation goes into winning these races that range between 16 miles and 28 miles in length. For the many happy amateurs and the wondering ocean going yachts the idea is just to be there and enjoy seven days of racing and seven nights of equally hard partying. Both of these disciplines require considerable stamina if one is to keep with the pace of what is expected both day and night during the regatta.
Serious racing aside, Lay Day* (usually on Wednesday) is a day to not be missed. It is meant as a rest day for the weary sailors but has become much, much more! Those who have come to party make their way to Antigua Yacht Club in Falmouth Harbour. Thousands of sailors and spectators cram themselves into the area in their dinghies, boats and elsewhere to get down to the really serious business of partying. There is loads of music, plenty of food, and a daunting supply of drink. On the program of events there appears to be finish time to this particular event, and if ever there is, rarely does anyone pay attention. However, if you join the “Lay Day” celebration, remember that you need to be in some type of sobriety to compete in the next day’s racing.
Saturday is Dockyard Day. This is another event-filled day, including the precarious greasy pole event, tug-of-war, and various other activities to keep you amused. Then there is the presentation of prizes at the Old Officers’ Quarters in Nelson’s Dockyard by the Minister of Tourism for Antigua plus other Caribbean dignitaries. At 6PM the Royal Antiguan Police Band “Beat The Retreat”. The Grande Finale is the Lord Nelson’s Ball – formal but fun, at which cups and trophies are presented as well. Always an unforgettable week, though as is always the case with unabashed ribaldry, certain events will be remembered in the following weeks – often times with some embarrassment. ( I do believe there is a photo somewhere in this world of me dancing with a goat. But, the details of that night will need to be highlighted in another posting. The 2008 Antigua Race Week is from April 27th to May 3rd. Mark your calendars
*Lay Day – Derived from the nautical term to ‘lay to” or bring one’s boat to rest, the midweek lay day is a feature of most Caribbean regattas. However, be warned! Although lay day provides a break form serious racing, it can hardly be considered a rest day. There is just too much going on, as organisers, competitors and spectators take the opportunity to get together ashore and have a really good time.