2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Overall
by Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 23 Apr 10:16 NZST
April 16-21, 2025
Charm III, 50' staysail schooner built in 1928 was overall winner of the regatta - 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta © Tobias Stoerkle
The 36th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta came to a successful close on Monday with tasty cream teas, fiercely competitive gig racing and the prize-giving ceremony in the historic 18th century Nelson's Dockyard.
The evening prize-giving ceremony was held once again behind the Dockyard Museum, emceed by the regatta coordinator, Robin Stout, with prizes of barrels of English Harbour rum handed out by the chairman, Paul Deeth.
After thanking the race committee, sponsors and all the very willing and able volunteers who made the event so enjoyable, and welcoming the British High Commissioner, John Hamilton, the Antigua Yacht Club commodore, Clarence Pilgrim, Senator Philip Shoul and Ann Marie Martin of National Parks, eight bells and a moment's silence was held in memory of the regatta's head of "everything wet" Clare Cupples who sadly passed away last autumn.
First called up to the podium to receive their prizes were the winners of the Parade of Classics on Sunday with Arro, 37' traditional Falmouth working boat winning Best Dressed Yacht as she was decked out in a full compliment of flags and yellow crew shirts, Huey Too, modified Cal 40 won Most Spirited prize with her crew dancing enthusiastically wearing home-made matching hats and ties, and lastly Moonbeam, 65' gaff rigged schooner winning Best Portrayal of Theme "Sailors 300 years Ago" with her crew dressed in fantastic pirate costumes.
Concours d'Elegance winners who were judged last Wednesday before racing began were next on stage. Juno, the beautiful 65' Nat Benjamin schooner came first overall.
Class winners were:
- Athena, a 59' Hinkley Sou'wester winning the Spirit of Tradition, Professionally Maintained class
- Scotch Mist, a Harmon 60' took first in the Spirit of Tradition, Owner Maintained class
- Navasana, a 40' Carriacou sloop won the Traditional, Professionally Maintained class
- New Moon, a 31' Carriacou sloop won the Traditional, Owner Maintained prize
- Ticonderoga, the legendary 72' Herreshoff ketch built in 1936 won the Vintage, Professionally Maintained class
- The Blue Peter, a 65' Marconi cutter built in 1930 was first in the Vintage, Owner Maintained class.
The winners of the Carib Bean Coffee sponsored Single-Handed Race were next presented their prizes with Petrana, Rita, Freya and Absolute Properties Blue Peter coming first in their classes. The full results can be seen here.
Our Commitee boats Jade for the single-handed race, and the gorgeous motor yacht Marie for the full four days of racing were then thanked for their participation and presented gifts. The Woodstock trophy for the best restoration of a classic boat was awarded to the oldest boat in the fleet built in 1911, Cornubia, 52' Bristol channel pilot cutter. Ellamia (Westsail 32') won the Comfort Zone trophy for the yacht in most need of some comfort.
The prize-giving ceremony continued with barrels of rum being presented to first, second and third placed winners for the full four days of racing in each class. The full results can be seen here.
The trophy for First Overall goes to the long keeled, wooden yacht with the lowest cumulative corrected time. The large barrel of English Harbour Rum, presented by Terry Brown of Island Provisions, who generously sponsored the Regatta, went to Richard West owner of Charm III, the Anguillan-based 50' staysail schooner built in 1928, after he finished one second ahead of the second place yacht.
The coveted Kenny Coombs Memorial Award, the final trophy of the evening, goes to the crew that exemplifies the spirit of the regatta both on and off the water and was presented by Kenny's brother, Jim Coombs. The Award went to Mark and Loz Cann's, Arro of Penryn, a 37' Falmouth working boat. Mark and Loz, who built the boat themselves, sailed over from Cornwall in the fall and entered their first Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.this year. "Winning the Spirit of the Regatta means more to me than crossing the finish line first. It's about camaraderie, resilience, and the love of sailing. I'm honoured to be part of a community that celebrates not just skill, but heart" Mark said later.
The evening continued with an amazing display by a fire eater followed by dancing late into the night with plenty of conversations based around returning next year for another fun-filled regatta of fantastic sailing and camaraderie. Hope to see you all back in Antigua next year for the 37th annual Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.
For more information please visit antiguaclassics.com.