Antigua Sailing Day hailed a great success

The St Edmundsbury Sailing & Canoeing Association’s 10th Antigua Sailing Day, which was held at Lackford Lake, on Sunday, has been hailed as a great success.

The event was initiated nine years ago as a fun event to celebrate and coincide with Antigua Sailing Week.

Amazingly, through a Google news alert, the regatta came to the attention of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority who were so impressed with the initiative that they contacted the club and offered to become the event sponsor.

With ABTA’s support the event has become the highlight of SESCA’s racing and social calendar.

Mike Steele, from SESCA, said: “This year, the weather conditions were truly fitting with bright sunshine, a balmy south easterly breeze and the air temperature rising to a tropical 30C.  The race officer, Norman Savager, set a long, figure of eight course, taking in the extreme corners of the lake which proved interesting for both the competitors and spectators as there were many place changes.”

There were two races in the morning and one in the afternoon after a barbecue lunch with a delicious selection of Caribbean-inspired cakes made by members. The Dallaway Steel Band provided fantastic lunchtime entertainment and really gave an authentic feel to the occasion.

Kevin Bilham, (pictured above, centre) in his Solo, won overall, with an impressive two firsts and a second. Debs Steele, in her Topper, came second overall and first lady helm, with Sam and Margot Parrett, in a Firefly, third overall. Penny Davies and Sam Parrett, in their Toppers, shared the junior prizes.

Prizes were presented by Shakyrah Davis from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.

Next year’s Antigua Sailing Week will be held from April 27 to May 3, with SESCA’s 10th Antigua Sailing Day Regatta to be scheduled again in early June.