Antigua Bermuda Race

Seven boats made the Wednesday start line for the 2026 Antigua Bermuda Race. Monday’s wind forecast for the start – less than five knots - led to Falcon standing down. Conditions improved by the start to 10 knot Easterlies and the remaining boats got off to a good start. The CSA boats are allowed to motor with a 1.3x handicap but all were exclusively sailing for the first 24 hours. Four of the five IRC boats are dual-scored but none appeared to have dropped back into CSA by Friday morning. Winds were modest but relatively consistent Thursday. By Friday morning winds were light and all over the map - anywhere from NW 2.5 to SE 6.7

The 2026 Antigua Bermuda Race started noon Wednesday April 29 E10 knots

Good party last night. Angie at Club Sushi did a great job on the food and lots of Goslings. Wind E9 which is modest for the 12:00 start today but better than forecast Monday. 6 of the 7 have CSA ratings allowing them to motor with a penalty 1.3 times their hours. So if making less than 3 knots they will motor.

Countdown to the Start

It looks like we will have nine boats starting on Wednesday, April 29, in the 2026 Antigua Bermuda Race heading up to Bermuda in time for the Bermuda Sail GP. Eight monohulls will be joined by one multi-hull Falcon who is training for some other offshore adventures.
Sail Number Yacht Name Owner's Name Yacht Type
GBR 1321L Escapado Germaine Williams Beneteau First 40.7
ITA 88M Falcon Matteo Uliassi DNA F4
90 Imagine Peter Bourke Open 40
LOR3.O Life of Reilly Ill Peter Blunden Dufour 500 GL
USA 62 Moonstone Jay Gowell Tayana 52
GBR 90 Rock'n'Roll Afanasy Isaev Class 40
USA 200 Scowling Dragon Michael Hennessy Class40
USA 1318471 Thula Jody Klein Amel 50
GBR 3 TRUE Howie Hodgson Swan 75

Goslings and the AYC are ready for us in Antigua and the RBYC in Bermuda.
Registration is still open. Join us.

Report from Rye 19:48 AST 0511

Very nice sail first 48 hours.

We could see the cold front, thought we had time to organize as non of the clouds dropped rain. As we approached, the wind shifted from 200 to 340. Got the kite down without incident. Next, we headed into 25 knots going upwind. There were several large squalls, lightning, thunder and torrential rain to our port and starboard, Fortunately, we picked our way through and were spared the worst. once the rain cleared on the other side of the front there was literally no wind. We are now motoring toward Bermuda. At the moment, the wind is 2,6 knots from the SSW. Maybe we will find some wind down the road and can resume sailing.

Cheers

Kevin
Note:
The Rules of the race allow those in the CSA Cruising division to motor adding this time to their elapsed time in the fashion of the ARC - PLC

Start of Antigua Bermuda Race 12:00 AST May 9

Skippers Party May 8

A True Blue Ocean Adventure
After a three-year Covid hiatus, the fourth edition of the Antigua Bermuda Race will start from Antigua May 9th 2023. The 935nm oceanic race is managed by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in association with Antigua Sailing Week, and supported by the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Goslings Rum. The race is designed to suit a wide range of yachts and crew, with memorable parties both in Antigua and Bermuda...www.antiguabermuda.com