After two challenging years, all events are back this year on Antigua and Barbuda’s Yachting and sailing calendar.

President of the Antigua and Barbuda Yachting and Marine Association (ABYMA), Franklyn Braithwaite, said for the next year, there is a full and expanded list of events for yachts of all types to participate in.

“We are very happy to see that confidence is being shown in our yachting and sailing calendar. After such a challenging two years, all events are back with confidence this year has been through a very challenging time booking for marinas and marine services are rolling in,” he said.

New on the agenda this year the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has just announced that they are expanding the RORC Caribbean 600 into a series.

The Series according to the organizers will include inshore racing, a medium length offshore, and ending with the 14th RORC Caribbean 600.

“The RORC Caribbean 600 is normally won by a big boat whereas the Series will give smaller boats a better chance of winning due to the variety of races. The expanded event runs from 14 – 24 February 2023,” Brathwaite said.

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta has also announced it is shifting its dates back to its traditional slot on the calendar before Antigua Sailing Week, from 20-24 April 2023, and sees a return to its original raison d’etre  “like-minded people getting together to race stunning yachts in Antigua’s amazing sailing conditions”. 

The event will include the Single-Handed Race, the Concours d’Elegance, 3 days of racing (original courses), the Parade of Sail into English Harbour, the Gig Racing, and the Cream Teas and will be mainly located at Nelson’s Dockyard, with plenty of opportunities to “swing the lamp” over a rum punch in that historic venue.

A re-addition to the racing calendar is the Antigua to Bermuda Race.

“The 900 nautical-mile race will start the week after Antigua Sailing Week and give boats who plan to head north an opportunity to do it in the company. The race will depart Antigua on 9 May 2023,” he said, reminding me that  In July,  Optinam returns, to the Optimist  North American Championships. 

The event will see 180 or more optimists battling out in the big seas outside of English Harbour.