April 24, 2026: Antigua. The second day of Antigua Sailing Week brought a striking change in tempo and conditions, as the fleet prepared to depart the Caribbean Sea and push northward into the open Atlantic. Crews who overnighted at Green Island South spent the morning hours readying their boats, surrounded by hillsides covered in flowering dagger log agave – the national flower of Antigua – which bloom for only a few days every 20 years. One by one, sails were hoisted, and the fleet made their way to the start line in 8 knots of downwind breeze.
“The boats that really focused during the light air start and worked hard to get themselves into position were the best suited when the wind filled in,” said ASW Race Officer Chris Mansfield. “Being in the right place when that happened was crucial.”
As the wind built, the North Swell created powerful currents as racers and cruisers tracked along Antigua’s northeastern coastline.
“It was very different from yesterday. Lots of varying conditions to contend with, which made it a fun challenge,” said trimmer Dean Krocken of Kali, whose crew clinched first place in CSA Class 1 for the second day in a row. “We put the spinnaker up and did four or five jibes into the finish.”
Tight competition continued across the classes as the afternoon progressed. Mid-course conditions were ideal for reaching and downwind manoeuvring, and a 15-kt breeze rewarded boats that could balance speed with control.
“Today was quite challenging because we’re used to upwind starts,” said headsail trimmer Pieter Hooft, aboard the CSA Class 2 winner Contigo – Team HI 1. Hooft and his crewmates traded jibes with Vildiur for the first 6 miles of racing between Man o’ War Point and Devil’s Bridge before pulling ahead near Guinea Island.
“ We sailed zeeuwe-meisjes (wing-on-wing), and the drag from the current actually gave us an advantage,” Hooft explained, detailing how the opposing flow of water across the hull created just enough of an increase in apparent wind for the Dutch team to pull ahead.
Meanwhile, cruisers participating in the rally embraced the steady wind and lively sea state, also taking part in Antigua Sailing Week’s Daily Treasure Hunt. Over the past two days, the challenge saw crews sharing snapshots of their adventures.
“The treasure hunt was a blast!” enthused Rob “The Dawn” Britts on board Mystic Lee. “The whole day turned into an adventure.”
Onshore, sailors arrived at The Hut at Little Jumby to share stories from the day’s passage and compete in a fun beach relay. Racers and ralliers showcased their skills in a series of quirky races, culminating in an exciting dinghy race where the crew of Impala, trailing Kiss Cool in the first three races, edged past them for the win in the final seconds.
As the sun set, the party atmosphere was palpable, with music filling The Hut’s restaurant as crews celebrated a successful day well into the night.
With two days logged, Antigua Sailing Week 2026 continues to offer great sailing, Caribbean culture, natural beauty, and shared adventure – both on and off the water. As the event moves towards Saturday’s leg from Jumby Bay to Ffryes Beach, Mansfield anticipates a fresh perspective on the island’s coastline and sailing character.
“The beauty of this format is that every day feels different,” said Mansfield. “Different wind, different seas, different views – but the same spirit of competition and community.”
Meredith Glacken / Antigua Sailing Week
For all the news, results and images of the day, please visit www.sailingweek.com
#antiguasailingweek #ASW57 #racechasecelebrate #asw2026
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