A Decade of Superyacht Challenge Antigua
Posted: Feb 28, 2020
This prestigious event is held in Antigua in late January or early February, where yachts in excess of 80 feet are invited to participate in this exciting and friendly event. The SYCA Committee host four days of spectacular racing using the Offshore Racing Congress (ORCsy) rating rule. From a Start/Finish line off the entrance to English Harbour, the course marks for the five 12 – 30 mile (approx) races are set daily according to the prevailing conditions off the south coast of Antigua. Since the first edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, 33 magnificent superyachts have taken part in the regatta.
For the first time in the history of the event Five J Class yachts have entered to race in the 10th anniversary edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, 11-15 March. The majestic J Class yachts date back to the oldest maritime race in the world, The America’s Cup. In 1851, the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes, granted the first overseas yacht to enter the annual 100 Guinea Cup race, which was won by schooner America skippered by John Cox Stevens. Stevens was best known for founding and serving as the first Commodore of the New York Yacht Club, as well as being a member of the America syndicate which, in 1851, won the trophy that would become the Americas Cup.
[caption id="attachment_3332" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
J-Class Yacht Velsheda[/caption]
Since the turn of the century J Class yachts have enjoyed a renaissance with the establishment of the J Class Association in the year 2000. Class rules were established for the construction of replica rebuilds from original plans. Of the five J Class yachts expected to compete at the 2020 Superyacht Challenge Antigua, only one is original with the other four being replicas. Shout outs to the participants of the superyacht challenge who partner with Axxess Marine, we’re proudly supporting you all the way; Lionheart, Action, Velsheda, Zig Zag, Adela, Leopard, Missy and Sojana. Good luck!
