2023 Superyacht Challenge Antigua Preview
by Louay Habib 7 Mar 2023 08:19 AEDT
6-12 March 2023
Superyacht Challenge Antigua - Oyster 82 Zig Zag © Claire Matches
The 12th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua (SYCA) has opened with registration of the magnificent fleet in Nelson's Dockyard. Racing off the South Coast of Antigua will conclude on Sunday 12th March.
The invitational event is held in the spectacular waters of Antigua with laid-back social events in Nelson's Dockyard. The Superyacht Challenge has one clear objective; to provide all the facilities to stage an ideal event for an exclusive selection of superyachts.
"All of the superyachts racing have sailed to Antigua and are exceptionally well travelled, which makes for a fascinating collection of yachts and sailors. This regatta has a great atmosphere on and off the water," commented SYCA's Paul Deeth."The racing is spectacular and competitive plus we have laid back social evenings planned throughout the regatta. Simply put, the Superyacht Challenge Antigua is a wonderful celebration of sailing and parties."
Action
Third regatta for Action, defending their win in the Buccaneers Class last year. The 121ft Dykstra sloop Action was built at the Royal Huisman Shipyard in the Netherlands. Action features naval design by Dykstra Naval Architects with an interior created by Rhoades Young. Action Boat Captain is Angus Fuller
Catalina
The 148ft Dubois ketch Catalina is back for their second regatta having come class runner up in 2019. Catalina's Boat Captain is Sean Witney. Catalina is part of the history of The Superyacht Challenge Antigua, her former owners, the Gosnells competed in the first three editions of the regatta as Timoneer. The Gosnells donated the ship's bell and that is the only trophy awarded at the regatta. Each yacht 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.
Kawil
The 112ft Sparkman & Stephens sloop Kawil with Charlie Ross as Boat Captain. Kawil is taking part in their fifth regatta. Kawil's debut was in 2015 and was a class winner in 2017 and 2019. In 2022, Kawil was runner up to Action. Kawil was built by Derecktor Shipyards, South Florida USA.
Gitana
The 148ft Dubois sloop with a 200ft carbon rig was built in New Zealand by Fitzroy Yachts. This will be the first Superyacht Challenge Antigua for Gitana but the boat as Salperton IV has won superyacht events in the Caribbean and Europe. Gitana's Boat Captain is David Rawlinson.
Zig Zag
John McMonigall's Oyster 82 Zig Zag has Carl Raynes as Boat Captain. This will be Zig Zag's seventh regatta in a row, including winning The Gosnell Trophy in 2020. From the drawing board of Humphreys Yacht Design. Zig Zag is the smallest yacht at the regatta but renowned for racing as hard as any of the largest yachts in the fleet.
For more information about the Superyacht Challenge Antigua including results, pictures and race reports visit the dedicated website: superyachtchallengeantigua.com.