Antigua to Launch New Sailing Regatta in 2027 Amidst Declining Participation in Annual Sailing Week

In response to a notable decline in participation at Antigua Sailing Week (ASW), the Ministry of Tourism is introducing an exciting new sailing regatta scheduled for March 2027. 

This decision comes after industry experts conducted a thorough study to uncover the factors contributing to the dwindling number of large maxi yachts participating in ASW over recent years.

Tourism Minister Charles Max Fernandez highlighted that the trend of decreasing yacht participation became evident starting in 2019. Rather than remaining passive, the government proactively sought to understand the underlying causes and explore potential solutions to reinvigorate interest in sailing events in the region.

The study findings revealed that many large yachts tend to leave the Caribbean in mid-April to participate in a series of races in the Mediterranean, diminishing the number of vessels available for ASW, which occurs at the end of April. 

“Twenty years ago, Antigua and Barbuda led the charge in hosting regattas, but now we face stiff competition as almost every island has developed its own sailing events,” Fernandez noted.

To address these challenges, the new regatta will specifically target larger maxi yachts, attracting their crews who are expected to contribute significantly to the local economy during their stay. While ASW will continue in its traditional form, discussions are underway to enhance its offerings and ensure its relevance as it approaches its 50th anniversary.

Fernandez pointed out that despite this year’s drop in participating yachts at ASW, which has fallen to 56 from over 300 during its peak, there is a silver lining. The influx of different regattas, including the recently signed four-year deal with the RORC races, has brought more yachts to Antigua than in previous years.

The launch of the new regatta in 2027 is a strategic move that allows the Ministry of Tourism and its partners ample time to secure a major sponsor and develop a comprehensive marketing campaign to promote this new sailing event. The initiative aims not only to revive sailing enthusiasm in Antigua but also to encourage greater investment and tourism in the region.