Vive Les Voiles 2024

The announcement of the cancellation of Les Voiles de St Barth’s (due to a loss of key sponsorship), was met with dismay by many racers on the Caribbean circuit. So an idea was born amongst a few disappointed but resourceful skippers:

Vive Les Voiles!

With pursuit starts to race some of the classic courses of Les Voiles, casual beach picnics in the afternoon and a lay day cruise to Ile Forchue, this free racing rally offers a great mix of racing and relaxing in beautiful St Barth’s. Designed as a ‘bookmark’ in the calendar, the organizers hope it will help keep the spirit of Les Voiles alive until the real regatta returns in 2025.

April 15 Meet the Fleet in Gustavia
April 16-18 Pursuit starts, single race per day April 19 Lay day / optional cruise to Ile Forchue April 20 Final race day, Gustavia to English Harbour

Les Voiles has always been about the maxis, the glamour end of the racing fleet spectrum. However, the passion that exists for this special event within the performance 40 end of the fleet is remarkable. Vive Les Voiles highlights this passion and the energy within the sailing community to carry on despite a (hopefully temporary) lack of outside support.

Antigua Superyacht Challenge Wraps Up

Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua, 18 March 2024. The 13th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua (SYCA) was held in fantastic conditions off the South Coast of Antigua with Tradewinds ranging from 13-20 knots. Five days of racing were held rounding deep water and inshore marks, making full use of Antigua’s ocean swell and stunning coastal vistas.

Swan 90 Freya © Claire Matches

Each evening, themed event nights, all set in historic Nelson’s Dockyard, give an opportunity for crews to meet up and party in a laid back environment, free from commercial endorsements. While superyachts race to win their class, there is no mathematical overall winner. Each competing yachts, and the race committee, cast one vote for the yacht that has competed in the Spirit of the Regatta, both afloat and ashore. The winner lifts The Gosnell Trophy.

For the 2024 edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, the Gosnell Trophy was presented by Arthur & Page Gosnell . Voting was unanimous, the winner was the 182ft (55.5m) Dykstra schooner Adela skippered by Greg Perkins.

182ft (55.5m) Dykstra schooner Adela © Claire Matches

“We bought Adela in 2020 and we have not been able to race her due to Covid, so Adela has been out for four years.” commented Adela’s owner. “This is the first time I have been in this environment and it has been fantastic. The spirit of the team, their passion, the history, and the philosophy of Adela is wonderful. This has presented my kids with the opportunity to be here, surrounded by beautiful people that work as a team that looks for the same goal; everyone protects each other. I am very proud to have the chance to be with Adela. I hope to be back many times in the future.”

108ft (33m) Hoek designed sloop Namuun © Claire Matches

The Rebecca Trophy was awarded to the 108ft (33m) Hoek designed sloop Namuun, skippered by Tom Aiken. Toby Allies & Mike Carr from Pendennis Shipyard presented the trophy to the regatta debutant on St. Patrick’s Day. Namuun is based in Antigua but has more than a sprinkling of Irish sailors on board. Toby Allies congratulated the organisers for running a safe and memorable regatta, and commended Namuun for their great attitude to racing.

Hetairos © Claire Matches

Privateer Class

The 218ft (66.45m) Dykstra/Reichel Pugh ketch Hetairos skippered by Graham Newton, was a spectacular sight at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua. Capable of hoisting over 6000 sq.m. of sail area, Hetairos can sail as fast as the wind at just about every point of sail. Hetairos started her campaign winning the stand alone Round Antigua Race and went on to win all four races of the series in her class.

Ashore the Hetairos team enjoyed all of the parties; At the Famous Cook-Off Hetairos won the Best meal according to theme Pirates of the Caribbean and a special mention as in true camaraderie spirit they lent their flint to the Zig Zag crew to light their coal pot. Hetairos skipper Graham Newton also picked up the prize for the loudest Caribbean men’s shirt at The Caribbean Night!

Team Hetairos © Claire Matches

“This is Hetairos owners favourite regatta and he has been coming to the Antigua since 1972,” commented Hetairos skipper Graham Newton. “The venue and the history of Nelson’s Dockyard plus the atmosphere of the regatta because it is so laid back with a great Caribbean vibe. On top of that is the racing! The courses and the conditions are challenging, which is what all of the Hetairos team loves.”

Swan 90s Freya and Hummingbird © Claire Matches

Corsair Class

Two battling Swan 90s had a fanatic duel throughout the Superyacht Challenge Antigua. Hummingbird, skippered by Josh Hill, and Don Macpherson’s Freya enjoyed intense racing throughout. As well as close racing with the 110ft (33.5m) Malcolm McKeon sloop Zemi skippered by Hjalmar Winbladh. Don Macpherson’s 90ft (27m) Swan Freya, competing in their fourth regatta, showed impressive boat handling and determination to win the Corsair Class. Freya won every race but it was far from easy, with pressure throughout the four race series.

Team Freya © Claire Matches

“Great racing and good fun.” Commented Freya skipper Joph Carter. “The owner is happy and we sailed the boat clean and the event was so good! Antigua is Freya’s base, our spiritual home. We have raced this regatta for years without winning our class, so it’s nice to get the monkey off our back. This is not a commercial event, but we have a good crew of sailors and it really is a memorable one to win.”

110ft (33.5m) Malcolm McKeon sloop Zemi © Claire Matches

Swam 90 Hummingbird showed great pace to take runner-up in the Round Antigua Race and during the regatta, Hummingbird was the best starter for the entire fleet, averaging just 4 seconds short of the line. The Hummingbird team were taking part in their first regatta and like Freya and Zemi, joined in all of the shoreside festivities.

Oyster 82 Zig Zag © Claire Matches

Buccaneer Class

John McMonigall’s Oyster 82 Zig Zag, skippered by Carl Raynes, was competing in their eight regatta in a row, and are two-time winners the Gosnell Trophy. Competing this year against the 108ft (33m) Hoek designed sloop Namuun, skippered by Tom Aiken, although the two boats are very different the boat-to-boat on the water was very close. The Zig Zag crew was the youngest team in the regatta, as well the only crew with as many women as men sailors aboard. Zig Zag completed a faultless score line for the Superyacht Challenge Antigua.

Sadly Zig Zag owner John McMonigall was not on board but  he really wanted to be here,” commented Zig Zag skipper Carl Raynes. “We have tried to do the regatta as if John was here, and we have had video calls with John all the time, keeping up the Spirit of Zig Zag.”

Zig Zag Team at The SYCA Welcome Party

Ashore Zig Zag take their partying to another level! Winning at the Cook-Off for best dressed crew according to theme Pirates of Caribbean, and best lighting of the coal pot. Zig Zag was also the best dressed team for the Caribbean Night!

SYCA Race Committee © claire Matches

The Superyacht Challenge Famous Cook-Off and Caribbean Night are always a colourful affair with Superyacht owners, guests and crew enjoying fabulous dining and entertainment in Nelson’s Dockyard. Where do you see a regatta race committee dressed in loud shirts? It has been suggested that the Protest Committee should have kept their shirts on for protest hearings but there weren’t any!

The Superyacht Challenge Antigua Prizegiving was held on the Lawn at the Admiral’s Inn, Nelson’s Dockyard. Master of Ceremonies was PRO Hank Stuart; a fabulous affair with winners receiving tumultuous applause from their rivals as well as Barrels of Rum suitably filled.

Stan Pearson © Claire Matches

Superyacht Challenge Antigua co-founder Stan Pearson was present in spirit throughout the regatta. Stan sadly passed away just a few weeks before the start. After his burial at sea flanked by superyachts, a memorial was held in Nelson’s Dockyard with hundreds of the sailing community in attendance. Stan will always be remembered for his tremendous work, love and enthusiasm for sailing. A deep water mark ‘Stan’ has been named in his memory. Three cheers were given Stan at the prizegiving and the whole of Nelson’s Dockyard heard it.

Superyacht Challenge Antigua co-founder Paul Deeth has confirmed the dates for the 14th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, which will be held 04-11 March, 2025.

2024 Class Winners Decided for Superyacht Challenge Antigua

Race Day Four 17 March 2024

Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua, 17 March 2024. The final day of racing for the Superyacht Challenge Antigua (SYCA) got underway in brilliant sunshine with about 15 knots of superb Tradewinds just south of east. Later in the day, the wind veered south and piped up a touch to 18 knots in gusts.

The SYCA Race Committee, led by PRO Hank Stuart, set a 17.5nm triangular course for the Buccaneer Class, which included three long downwind, reaching and upwind legs. The Corsair and Privateer Classes were set a special course ‘99’ of 21.3nm which included two long reaching legs and a deep water beat.

Hetairos © Claire Matches

Privateer Class

The 218ft (66.45m) Dykstra/Reichel Pugh ketch Hetairos skippered by Graham Newton, made the best in class start, crossing the line nine seconds after the gun was fired from Fort Charlotte. The 182ft (55.5m) Dykstra schooner Adela skippered by Greg Perkins made a more conservative dial up to the line.

Adela Transom Team © Claire Matches

Hetairos completed the race in an elapsed time of 01 Hours 40 Mins and 53 Secs, the fastest elapsed time of the day. Hetairos scored their fourth win of the regatta after ORCsy time correction, completing a perfect score line.

Swan 90 Hummingbird © Claire Matches

Corsair Class

The Swan 90 (27m) Hummingbird, skippered by Josh Hill, was just four seconds shy of the staggered start and Don Macpherson’s 90ft (27m) Swan Freya made a more conservative start.

Duelling Swans © Claire Matches

Freya and Hummingbird continued their Swan duel as they have done all-regatta. Hummingbird was the first away with Freya in hot pursuit four minutes later. After over two hours of racing, Freya finished the race just 57 seconds ahead of Hummingbird to win after ORCsy time correction. Don Macpherson’s 90ft Swan Freya finished the regatta with a perfect score line of four race wins.

Oyster 82 Zig Zag

Buccaneer Class

The 108ft (33m) Hoek designed sloop Namuun, skippered by Tom Aiken, made an excellent start just seven seconds after their gun. John McMonigall’s Oyster 82 Zig Zag, skippered by Carl Raynes, crossed the line 14 seconds after the gun was fired.

After ORCsy time correction, Zig Zag won the final race completing a faultless score line for the Superyacht Challenge Antigua.

Caribbean Night © Claire Matches

Caribbean Night is always a colourful affair with Superyacht owners, guests and crew enjoying fabulous Antiguan entertainers on The Lawn of The Copper & Lumber Hotel in Nelson’s Dockyard. Soca dancing, fire-eating limbo dancing, and the hotly contested Loud Shirt Competition. Where do you see a regatta race committee dressed like this? It has been suggested that the Protest Committee should keep the shirts on when settling protests but as there has not been a single hearing that is easy!

Gosnell Trophy © Ted Martin

Class winners will be congratulated at the  Superyacht Challenge Antigua Prizegiving will be held at The Admirals Inn tonight. There is no overall winner but the highly prized Gosnell Trophy will be decided. Each competing yachts, and the race committee, cast one vote for the yacht that has competed in the Spirit of the Regatta, both afloat and ashore. The winner lifts The Gosnell Trophy.

Dazzling Competition Superyacht Challenge Antigua

Race Day Three 16 March 2024

Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua, 16 March 2024. The penultimate day of racing for the Superyacht Challenge Antigua (SYCA) got underway in brilliant sunshine under The Pillars of Hercules outside Nelson’s Dockyard.

During racing the gradient wind was a steady 14-17 knots, oscillating around an easterly direction. Conditions remained stable for the duration of the race, but small wind shifts and land effects added complexity to strategy and tactics.

The SYCA Race Committee, led by PRO Hank Stuart, set a 17.5nm triangular course for the Buccaneer Class, which included three long downwind, reaching and upwind legs. The Corsair and Privateer Classes were set a longer but similar course of 28.2nm, including inshore beats into Rendezvous Bay.

Hetairos © Claire Matches

Privateer Class

The 218ft (66.45m) Dykstra/Reichel Pugh ketch Hetairos skippered by Graham Newton, made the best start, crossing the line just two seconds after the gun was fired from Fort Charlotte. The 182ft (55.5m) Dykstra schooner Adela skippered by Greg Perkins also made a superb start just ten seconds shy of their gun.

Hetairos showed great speed on the course completing in an elapsed time of 02 Hours 22 Mins and 45 Secs. Hetairos’ VMG for the 28.2nm course was an impressive 12 knots in a wind range of 14-17 knots. Hetairos Navigator Marcel Van Triest reported gaining well inshore at Rendezvous with a lift going into the bay and coming out. Hetairos took line honours for the race and the win after ORCsy time correction.

Swan 90 Hummingbird © Claire Matches

Corsair Class

The 110ft (33.5m) Malcolm McKeon sloop Zemi, skippered by Hjalmar Winbladh, made the best start in the class, crossing the line just two seconds after the gun was fired from Fort Charlotte. However, a broken fitting on the Main Sail led to their retirement later in the race.

The Swan 90 (27m) Hummingbird, skippered by Josh Hill, was just five seconds shy of the staggered start and Don Macpherson’s 90ft (27m) Swan Freya also got away well just 11 seconds after their gun. The two Swans had a titanic battle around the course, caught on camera by Claire Matches who was a guest on board Hummingbird. The SYCA Protest Committee reported being very happy with the intense communication among the yachts on the safety channel but the battle between Freya and Hummingbird was passionate. Freya won the duel with an elapsed time less than 8 minutes quicker than Hummingbird. After ORCsy time correction Freya won the race, keeping their perfect score for the regatta.

Oyster 82 Zig Zag © Claire Matches

Buccaneer Class

John McMonigall’s Oyster 82 Zig Zag, skippered by Carl Raynes, made the best start in the class, crossing the line six seconds after the gun was fired. The 108ft (33m) Hoek designed sloop Namuun, skippered by Tom Aiken, also made an excellent start just eight seconds after their gun. Unfortunately for Namuun, a winch problem, affected their performance but the Ireland rugby fans on board were delighted to hear that their team had won the Six Nations on St. Patrick’s Weekend! Zig Zag won their third race in a row by a handsome margin after ORCsy time correction.

Parrots and Pirates © Claire Matches

The competition doesn’t just take place on the water at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua. Tonight’s loud shirt competition will produce an intense battle of style mixed in with a riot of colour! Racing at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua concludes on Sunday  March 17th with more spectacular action off the South Coast of Antigua.

Run Like Smoke N’Oakum Superyacht Challenge Antigua

Race Day Two 15 March 2024

Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua, 15 March 2024.  For the second day of racing at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua the start was blessed with 17 knots just south of east. This rapidly backed, piping up to over 20 knots of wind speed during the day. The fleet were in their element, blasting through the waves upwind with white water hissing at the rail, and off the breeze, running like smoke N’oakum.

The SYCA Race Committee, led by PRO Hank Stuart, set an 18.1nm triangular course for the Buccaneer Class including downwind legs and a long beat offshore. The Corsair and Privateer Classes were set a more complex course of 30.0nm with relatively longer legs than the previous day. Both courses included a full-on beat, appropriately to the mark renamed ‘Stan’.

Before racing, the competing yachts headed offshore to the ‘Stan’ mark and formed a line of respect either side of Superyacht Maximus. SYCA co-founder and well-known Caribbean sailor Stan Pearson was then laid to rest at sea. Racing for the second day of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua continued immediately after – that is what Stan would have wanted.

Stan Person Tribute

Oyster 82 Zig Zag © Claire Matches

Buccaneer Class

The 108ft (33m) Hoek designed sloop Namuun, skippered by Tom Aiken, made the best class start, crossing the line just five seconds after the gun from Fort Charlotte. John McMonigall’s Oyster 82 Zig Zag, skippered by Carl Raynes, made a more conservative start but revelled in the strong conditions to score their second bullet of the regatta. Namuun, which started four minutes after Zig Zag, was up for the challenge, finishing under two minutes behind Zig Zag on elapsed time. However, after ORCsy time correction Zig Zag was the winner by just under 11 minutes.

108ft Hoek sloop Namuun © Claire Matches

“The owners of Namuun have houses in Antigua and they love spending time here and love going sailing,” commented Niall Malone who hails from New Zealand and calls tactics on Namuun. “A lot of people on Namuun are related or have been friends for a very long time, it is a real family team. Namuun was not built to race and we still have the sunshades up but the owners do have vast experience racing. Today started with a memorial to Stan, a very important sailor in this community, and the racing that followed in fantastic conditions, made it one to remember. It was really nice to push Namuun and have no issues, the whole team had an incredible day.”

Privateer Class

The 218ft (66.45m) Dykstra/Reichel Pugh ketch Hetairos skippered by Graham Newton, made the best start in the class, crossing the line seven seconds after the gun was fired from Fort Charlotte. The 182ft (55.5m) Dykstra schooner Adela skippered by Greg Perkins was more cautious.

Corsair Class

Both Swan 90s hit the line on the staggard start with precision Don Macpherson’s Freya and Hummingbird, skippered by Josh Hill nailed the start, both of the powerful Swans were  just 2 seconds after the gun. Last away in the Pursuit Start, and only nine seconds after the start, was the 110ft (33.5m) Malcolm McKeon sloop Zemi, skippered by Hjalmar Winbladh. Zemi lit up in the strong conditions to score the quickest elapsed time for the class, beating Freya to the accolade by just 33 seconds. After ORCsy time correction, Freya won the race retaining their unbeaten record. Hummingbird corrected out to second place and Zemi was third by just 30 seconds after time correction.

Adela Pirates © Claire Matches

The Fabulous Cook-off was held on Nelson’s Dockyard Beach right next to the Superyacht Dock. Team chefs displayed mouth-watering culinary creations, which were eagerly consumed by over 200 superyacht owners, guests and crew. The Cook Off theme this year was Pirates of the Caribbean and the costumes on display were fantastic! DJ Joz’Akaum was spinning the tunes for a memorable night! The winner of the Cook Off is decided by the judges for a dish cooked on a traditional coal-pot which must be lit without using modern means! The winning chef will be announced at the Prizegiving!

Racing at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua continues on Saturday March 16th with the penultimate day action off the South Coast of Antigua.

Thrills and Spills at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua

Race Day One 14 March 2024

Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua, 14 March 2024. The 13th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua (SYCA) got underway with races for all classes off the South Coast of Antigua. The SYCA Race Committee, led by PRO Hank Stuart, set a 17.6nm triangular course for the Corsair and Privateer Classes, which included long reaching legs offshore and a long beat inshore. The Buccaneer Class was set a more complex course of 26.3nm with relatively shorter legs at every point of sail. All Superyachts raced around the offshore mark STAN, named after SYCA co-founder Stan Pearson who ‘sailed on’ just over two weeks before the start of the regatta.

At the start, 13 knots just south of east, gradually built during the day. Two hours into racing, a rain squall produced 20 knots of breeze. With plenty of cloud activity, the wind was flicking around an easterly to south easterly direction, plus the gusty conditions kept all of the teams alert to sudden changes in wind speed and direction.

Swan 90 Freya © Claire Matches

Corsair Class

The Swan 90 (27m) Hummingbird, skippered by Josh Hill, made the best start in the class, crossing the line just five seconds after the gun was fired from Fort Charlotte. Don Macpherson’s 90ft (27m) Swan Freya also got away to a flyer just eight seconds after the gun hot on the heels of Hummingbird. Last away in the Pursuit Start, and only nine seconds after the gun, was the 110ft (33.5m) Malcolm McKeon sloop Zemi, skippered by Hjalmar Winbladh.

Freya made the best of the conditions to record their first bullet of the regatta, taking Class Line Honours and the win after ORCsy time correction by 07 Minutes and 48 Secs from Hummingbird. Zemi was third.

“This is the first time we have ever raced against another Swan 90S but before the race, we decided that we were going to sail as normal; get Freya going as fast as she can,” Commented Freya’s Skipper Joph Carter. “The owner was on the helm for the whole race and today’s course put a lot of emphasis on crew work, fortunately we have sailed the boat a lot as this team. We didn’t have a clean race, including no hydraulics coming up to to the first weather mark! Against Hummingbird, we thought are weakness was going to be downwind as they have a bigger kite and headsail. However, with today’s reaching zig-zagging course Freya’s Code Zero and GS was quite quick and at times gave us an advantage but in the big squall the change was in their favour. Upwind we are pretty evenly matched, but we started four minutes in front of them, which gave us a controlling position. It was great racing today and Freya are looking forward to more tomorrow.”

Zig Zag Team at The SYCA Welcome Party © Claire Matches

Buccaneer Class

John McMonigall’s Oyster 82 Zig Zag, skippered by Carl Raynes, made the best start in the class, crossing the line 15 seconds after the gun was fired from Fort Charlotte. The 108ft (33m) Hoek designed sloop Namuun, skippered by Tom Aiken, made a more conservative start but it was nip and tuck for over two hours of racing. Despite the huge variety in the designs of Zig Zag and Namuun, the two yachts enjoyed the closest racing on the water for the first day of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua. Zig Zag finished the race in an elapsed time of  02 Hours 31 Mins 59 Secs. Namuun’s elapsed time was just 12 seconds behind Zig Zag. After ORCsy time correction Zig Zag was the winner.

“On Zig Zag we started 4 minutes ahead of Namuun and by the first mark we held that lead on the water,” commented Zig Zag’s skipper Carl Raynes. “After rounding Stan we could sail deep with our A-Sail. Namuun was faster than us offshore but was sailing a lot more miles, we got the kite down really well and we were still maintaining our lead but the next leg was a reach and Namuun really came into us. Our best move of the race was going inshore into Rendezvous Bay, we got lifted and that was the big gain. Unfortunately Zig Zag owner John McMonigall is not on board, and he really wanted to be here, but we have video calls with John all the time, and he was really happy about Zig Zag winning today.”

The 218ft (66.45m) Dykstra/Reichel Pugh ketch Hetairos © Claire Matches

Privateer Class

The 218ft (66.45m) Dykstra/Reichel Pugh ketch Hetairos skippered by Graham Newton, made the best start in the class, crossing the line just three seconds after the gun was fired from Fort Charlotte.

182ft Dykstra schooner Adela © Claire Matches

The 182ft (55.5m) Dykstra schooner Adela skippered by Greg Perkins hooked the Nelson’s Mark under full sail. Adela secured the mark on board, and with great courtesy returned it to the Race Committee with the help of ABSAR. Later in the race, Adela retired. The Race Committee invoked the ‘mark missing’  in the Sailing Instructions, which provides for a virtual mark, which the fleet used for the rest of the day. The Race Committee will replace Nelson’s for Day Two.

Hetairos went on to win the race in an elapsed time of  02 Hours 10 mins and 31 Secs but it was not as straight forward as that. A technical problem on board approaching an inshore mark had  Hetairos crew hard pressed. Assisted by a wind shift and quick work by the highly experienced crew to rig a solution kept Hetairos on course for the race win.

Boom! © Claire Matches

The SYCA Welcome Party was held at Boom Restaurant, Admiral’s Inn prior to the first day of racing. Located at The Gunpowder House, with its spectacular infinity edged pool overlooking Nelson’s Dockyard. Over 200 Superyacht owners, guests and crew enjoyed a laid-back get together with ‘bubbles’, Dark ‘n Stormies and appetisers.

Racing at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua continues on Friday March 15th with fantastic action off the South Coast of Antigua.

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© Caribbean Sailing Association 2018