Antigua Classic Week Regatta
Antigua Sailing Week was established in 1967 and at that time all yachts were classic...
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Historic regatta
By the 1960s, classic yachts in English Harbour had begun to be chartered and captains and crews challenged each other to a race in Guadeloupe at the end of the charter season. From this informal race, Antigua Sailing Week was formed in 1967 and at that time all the yachts were classic.
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History and modernity
Over the next 24 years, classic yachts were slightly outnumbered by the faster and more elegant modern racing yachts. A small number of classics still racing in 1987 found themselves grouped together in Cruising Class 3, which was not ideal for these hard-to-handle vessels. So captains Uli Pruesse and Kenny Coombs organised a meeting with other classic skippers on board Saba's beautiful schooner Aschanti and, a few rums later, the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta was born. The regatta has evolved into what it is today with the help of a loyal and long-standing committee and a few friends who have brought the event to prominence. In 1991 Elizabeth Meyer brought her newly refitted Endeavour and Baron Edmond Rothschild brought his 6 metre Spirit of St Kitts. CSR became the first sponsor and inaugurated the Concours d'Elegance, which then gained worldwide publicity through the subsequent sponsor, Boat International Magazine.