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6 April 2006, 11:25 am

Sailing Week Set For End Of April

Rolex Antigua Sailing Week 2006

St. John's, Antigua

With less than one month until the start of one of the Caribbean's largest sailing regatta, the entries for the Rolex Antigua Sailing Week are streaming into race headquarters. Due for its 39th running from 30 April-6 May, the event attracts an average of 200 yachts, over 1,500 participants, 5,000 spectators and some of the biggest, fastest and most impressive sailing yachts in the world, packed with Olympic, America's Cup and around the world sailors.

Action takes place on the more sheltered waters of the Caribbean as well as in the large 'rollers' of the Atlantic Ocean. For certain classes, the racing agenda includes complete circumnavigation of the island, with scenic layovers.

'Compared to this time last year, we have more competitors registered,' said Neil FORRESTER, regatta chairman and general manager of the Antigua Hotel and Tourist Association. 'Overall, there is a nice balance among Caribbean entries and those coming from the USA, Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and France. Each year we welcome back veteran sailors and receive warmly those who have not sailed here before.'

In addition to the regatta's new title sponsor, Rolex, another innovation for this year is the Regatta Village, which will be situated in the historic Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour. All of the week's activities such as trophy ceremonies and the famed Lord Nelson's Ball, which annually attracts over 750 people, will take place in one location.

Camaraderie On The Water

From big Swans to mid sized charter boats, enjoying the camaraderie on the water and off is a goal of the week, and what draws racers to the Caribbean every year.

'It's the regatta we really gear up for,' said Clay DEUTCH (USA), owner of the Swan 68 Chippewa, and winner of the 2004 Swan Caribbean Challenge Cup. 'We have done it since 2001, except we missed last year. We're full on this year with our core group of crew. We like the length of the regatta, getting in a full week of racing. In terms of variety, you can't beat the schedule. It's the best regatta for us because it tends to draw the best big boat competition.'

Chippewa will compete in the Big Boat Racing class against newcomer Numbers, the Farr 60 owned by Dan MYERS (USA) that has won its class at the Acura Key West Race Week and New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, and Frank SAVAGE's (USA) Swan 56 Lolita, 2005's Antigua Sailing Week overall regatta winner.

Big Brits

The two largest entries to date are two from Britain, Nephele the Frers 112 owned by William AINSCOUGH and Sojana, Peter HARRISON's Farr 115, which according to its website, 'Was the fastest yacht at last year's Antigua Megayacht Challenge, and crossed the Atlantic in a speedy 9 days and 10 hours (not racing). Sojana also competed in the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) last winter, and was the fastest yacht to finish under sail out of 220 entries. In 2005 Sojana competed in the esteemed Rolex Transatlantic Challenge and was pronounced 'overall winner' of the Antigua Megayacht Challenge.'

Other notable entries in the Big Boat Racer/Cruiser Class are Starr Trail, Robert MULDERIG's Farr 72 from Bermuda and Manu, the Swan 70 owned by Holger BOEHRES from the Cayman Islands.

To date, 115 entries have been logged at the regatta office with over 200 total entrants expected.