With the possible exception of Antigua's Carnival there is no more exciting time to visit Antigua than during the now legendary Antigua Sailing Week. Hundreds of the world's most exciting racing yachts cram into English Harbour and the Dockyard's ancient walls echo with their battlecries and celebrations. Sponsored and professionally run by the Antigua Hotel and Tourist Association for the last 32 years, the infectious aquatic carnival atmosphere also gathers hundreds of non-racing spectator yachts that make their pilgrimage to this foremost gathering place for sailors. They follow the fleets during these five exhilarating days of races, as they tear from point to point, transforming the waters into a kaleidoscope of colour and action. Races that truly test the skipper and crew's enthusuasm, competence and skill all add to the mounting excitement of both the sailors and spectators.

Always held from the last weekend in April over a period of a week, the successful 1996 Sailing Week attracted the participation of well over 200 boats, from small to big, privately owned or bareboat (without crew). The smallest were two local 22 foot Humphries, Reggae (owned by Tony Maidment) and Calypso (owned by Geoffrey Pidduck) and the biggest, the sleek 82 foot US sloop Sorcery.

Using Caribbean Yatching Association rules for all races, 1996 saw the expansion of existing classes, to introduce the West Indies Big Boat Championship, the only trophy specifically for this type of vessel, as well as the West Indies Bareboat Championship.

Competition is fierce and I can tell you from experience that rounding a buoy in the midst of a hundred or so other vessels is quite an experience..... one I can highly recomend for the adrenalin inclined. For a first hand account of what that's like, check out my pumkin pages