11th Antigua Sailing Day Regatta at St Edmundsbury Sailing & Canoeing Association
by Mike Steele 17 Jun 12:07 PDT
16 June 2024
Members of the St Edmundsbury Sailing & Canoeing Association, based at Lackford Lake near Bury St Edmunds, enjoyed champagne conditions for their 11th Antigua Sailing Day Regatta on Sunday.
The event was originally conceived as one-off event to coincide with Antigua Sailing Week in the Caribbean. However, having come the attention of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, who have subsequently provided generous support, the regatta has become the highlight of the club's racing and social calendar.
The Club's Commodore, Norman Savage, set an interesting figure of eight course making full use of the lake. With twenty-one entries, it made for a congested starting line and close quarters racing throughout the fleet.
Alan Wright, in his newly acquired Solo, made the most of the shifty and variable breeze to take two firsts and a second to secure the overall prize. Mike Steele, in his Laser, was second overall with two seconds and a third, with Sam Parrett and his youngest son, Gus, sailing a Firefly, impressively winning the last race and coming third overall.
Debs Steele, in her Topper, finished fourth overall and first lady helm. Penny Davis was second Topper and first junior, followed by Bertie Parrett sailing another Topper.
An extensive set of prizes, provided by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, were presented by the Commodore, with Alan Wright receiving a well-earned bottle of English Harbour Rum as a fitting reward for his achievement.