The 27th Antigua Classic Regatta

If there is a better classic regatta in the world than the four-race Panerai Antigua Classic, sailed off historic English Harbor, we’re not aware of it. This year’s 27th running featured a terrific fleet of 60 Classic or Spirit-of-Tradition yachts. There was a tone of sadness, however, as founder Kenny Coombs had passed away quite suddenly only months before. After duly recognizing the event founder, everyone carried on in the manner Kenny would have wanted. And the conditions were ‘classic’ Antigua Classic conditions — winds in the low 20s most of the time, with generous tradewind seas.

To get an idea of how terrific the fleet was, one would only have had to look to the five-boat Vintage Class A fleet. It was won by Mariella, Carlo Falcone’s Alfred Mylne 79-footer, built in 1936. Second was Scott Frantz’s Herreshoff-designed and -built 72-ft Ticonderoga of Greenwich, which was built in 1929. Third was Trygve Bratz’s 88-ft Baglietto Serenity from 1927. Fourth was Matt Brooks’ S&S 52 Dorade, built in 1929. (Brooks, a member of the St. Francis YC, had recently been named ‘Yachtsman of the Year’ by his other club, the New York YC. Dorade was raced by a team of women dinghy sailors.) Fifth was Mathew Barker’s Mylne 65 The Blue Peter, built in 1929. The Blue Peter had been dismasted in the Classic last year, was taken back to the Med to get a new, taller mast, and returned to the Caribbean. All five vintage yachts were in spectacular condition.

Lone Fox, the Robert Clark 63 owned by Ira Epstein of Bolinas and St. Barth, had won overall honors in the Classic two years in a row. This year she dropped to third in Classic Class A, a class that was won by the Bruce King-designed 105 Whitehawk, which was also named the overall winner.

Of the 12 divisions, only two were won by boats with perfect records, and both came from the same small Gannon & Benjamin Yard of Martha’s Vineyard. Nat Benjamin sailed Robert Soros’ 65-ft schooner Juno to four bullets in Classics Class B, while Antonio Salguero’s 45-ft Eleda took Classics Class C with all bullets.

If classic yachts are your thing, the Antigua Classic is your event. It’s an inclusive scene and crew are often needed. In addition, there are plenty of social events for networking. Latitude highly recommends the Classic.