Debs Steele wins three races in gusty conditions at the 12th Antigua Sailing Day Regatta at Lackford Lake

Members of the St Edmundsbury Sailing & Canoeing Association enjoyed spectacular conditions for their 12th Antigua Sailing Day Regatta at Lackford Lake, on Sunday.

The gusty and shifty breeze provided great entertainment for the competitors and spectators alike.

Initiated as a fun event to coincide with and celebrate Antigua Sailing Week in the Caribbean, the Regatta came to the attention of the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, via a Google news alert.

They were so impressed with the initiative that they came onboard as sponsor.

With the tourism authority’s generous support, the regatta has become the highlight of SESCA’s dinghy racing calendar.

Race officer, Martin Davies, set a figure of eight course around the lake, providing challenging up wind legs and exhilarating downwind sailing in full view of the clubhouse.

The sudden and unpredictable gusts caught out many of the sailors at times resulting in several capsizes, which kept the safety crews busy.

Two races were sailed before a barbecue lunch. This was accompanied by the calypso sounds of the Dallaway Steel Pan Band, provided by the tourism authority, which added an authentic Caribbean feel to the occasion.

With the Laser helms doing more than their fair share of swimming, Alan Wright, sailing his Solo, put on a great performance to lead the fleet home in each of the races.

However, it was Debs Steele, racing her Topper, who mastered the conditions to win all the three races on handicap, with Alan having to settle for second place.

Third overall was taken by new club member, Razvan Adam, who outshone several of the older hands in his Laser.

Special mention should be made of young Adam Davies, who, despite several capsizes, persevered to complete all of the races in his Topper to take the junior prize.

The prizes, including several bottles of English Harbour rum, were provided and presented by Shakyrah Davis, marketing communications executive of the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority. Members of the Capsize Club were awarded towels.

Ms Davies concluded the presentations by saying how delighted the tourism authority was to have been involved with SESCA’s Antigua Sailing Day Regatta for the past 13 years.

She then amazed everyone by saying that it was her great pleasure to invite Mike an d Debs Steele, who came up with the idea, to attend next year’s Antigua Sailing Week, as guests of the authority, in appreciation of the many years that they have been organising SESCA’s Regatta. 

Mike was stunned by the announcement and said how grateful he was on behalf of the club for the tourism authority’s ongoing support for the event.

And he and his wife are delighted to accept the authoritiy’s invitation.