The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2008 started on Friday in fine conditions with a 15-18 knot breeze. The fleet consisted of 70 yachts in 12 classes. The list of yachts that competed is almost legendary with J boats Velsheda and Ranger, 72ft 1936 Herreshoff ketch Ticonderoga, 120 ft Herreshof Gaff Elenora, Aschanti IV, Whitehawk, 1899 Yawl Galatea, 1889 Gaff Cutter Thalia, Altair, Mistress, the list goes on! Also racing were the Carriaco boats and a fleet of Dragons. Ticonderoga led her class and the fleet by the end of the day. The duel between the J’s led to a win and second place for Velsheda with Ranger in third overall.

Day two, the butterfly course had similar conditions despite dire predictions. The 67ft Nygren yawl Galatea slipped ahead of Ticonderoga in the Vintage Class, while Ticonderoga held the lead overall. Velsheda again pipped Ranger. Day three the cannon took place in light winds. Ranger led Velsheda but failed to win on corrected time. Ticonderoga was again 1st overall while Galatea manged to get to second place overall. Lovely Eleonora meanwhile climbed to third. Day four was cancelled due to the lack of wind. The gig racing took place in front of the lovely Admirals Inn on day 5 with the single handed races completed in the morning. Prize giving on the night revealed that Ticonderoga had a deserved 1st place with Galatea, last year’s winner, taking second overall.

Class winners were: Classic Class A- Eleonora; Classic Class B- Juno; Classic Class C- Lone Fox; Classic Class D- Alice of Penrhyn; Classic Class GRP A- Calypso; Classic Class GRP B- Sunshine; Spirit of Tradition Class A- Velsheda; Spirit of Tradition Class B- Wild Horses; Traditional Class- Genesis; Vintage Class A- Ticonderoga; Vintage Class B- Altair; Dragons- Poul Hoj Jensen; Small Class Single Handed- Kathy Lammerson Sunshine; Big Classic Single Handed- Judd Tinius on Galatea. Concours d’Elegance was won by Thalia, a graceful 45ft Wanhill Gaff Cutter built in 1889 and the oldest yacht in the fleet.

Well done to the Classic Committee who spent months of hard work making this event a success. If you weren’t here then all I can say is ‘why not?’. See you next year. All faults in the article are my own. Results were posted on Yacht Scoring, sponsored by Harmony Hall Yacht Club.

The great photographs accompaning this article were taken by photographer and designer Lucy Tulloch. Please respect the copyright and don’t use without her permission. Click on the photos for descriptions. Visit Lucy at www.thelucy.com.