Old Home Week...(Month ??)

One month ago, 'Persephone' and 'Silver Heels III' sailed to Antigua.  Nearly everyday since arriving,  friends have sailed into Falmouth Harbor from all points of the Caribbean.  The new arrivals have included cruiser friends  from the Bahamas ('Liahona'), friends from Puerto Rico ('Just Imagine...'), and yachties  from Grenada ('Here Today', 'Beach House', 'Sailacious', 'Mini B', 'Josie Bird', 'Receta',  and 'Impessionist'); to name only a few.  Many of the crews I have not seen since leaving Grenada over three months ago.  It has been great getting reacquainted with sundowners!!

The reason for the reunion is the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta being held from April 14th-19th.  The Antigua Yacht Club hosts this event (which is in it's 70th year) as part of the  "the preeminent international classic yachts racing circuit, attracting some of the finest yachts from all corners of the world..."  And from what I have seen so far, this is an understatement !!   Yachts include the gleeming 'Rebecca' at 139 ft long; needing a racing crew of 25+; the 114 ft schooner 'Marie Pierre';  the dueling queens of the race course... 136 ft J Class Sloops 'Velesheda' and 'Ranger'.  The teak on 'Velesheda' is varnished to perfection, the gloss so deep and shiny that you can't look at her cabin top in the sunshine without sunglasses....I could easily shave in the reflection....Perfection !!  As I was chatting with the crew (hoping for an invitation to race on board), I had to be careful not to drool all over the deck.  Then there is 'Pink Lady"....a/k/a "Pretty in Pink"...a 37 ft classic Carriacou sloop, painted pink and white, with a bikini clad all female crew. (The crew includes such names as Scary Mary, Tipsy Gypsy, Psycho Betty, Killer B and Thirsty Kirsty....)

If you wish to follow the fun check out http://www.antiguaclassics.com/   It is worth just seeing the slide show of the classic yachts racing....
Enjoy !!