One Week Later
What a difference a week makes!!! As fast
as the Classic Regatta reaches its finale, the Antigua Race Week starts to
crank up. This year is the 50th anniversary of this prestigious
event. Since the late 70’s I have been reading in sailing magazines about
Antigua Race Week and now we are here – right in the middle of it all! AWESOME.
It is interesting to see the comparison
between last week and this week. Classic Regatta is very subtle, laid back and conservative.
Race Week is all about race teams, competition and hired guns as crew for the
races. Varnish and billowing sails has been replaced with carbon fiber and high
performance yachts. I think that there is a difference between the two groups –
one is a spirit of participation and the other is a spirit of WIN at all cost!
The docks are now piled high with equipment that is removed from the boat for
races – interior tables, anchors, life rafts and heavy weather sails. Repair
teams are on board fixing broken equipment from the trip to Antigua. Like bees
around a hive!
The evening festivities are also very
different – laid back music performances have been replaced with DJs and live
high volume reggae bands playing well into the night. Beer and rum are served
in huge quantities to coincide with the party atmosphere. Yacht teams stand out
in their matching shirts and hats! This is amazing!
We feel very privileged to be able to be
part of all this!
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