The 15th Superyacht Challenge Antigua is officially underway. On Wednesday 4 March, at the historic Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua, sailors gathered on the Race Office balcony for the Pre-Regatta Briefing. Ten magnificent superyachts are ready for four days of racing off Antigua’s spectacular south coast.
Principal Race Officer Hank Stuart (IRO – USA) welcomed competitors and outlined key procedures for the regatta ahead, beginning with Captains introductions of each yacht’s RRS afterguard and communications officers, reinforcing the event’s emphasis on safety, clarity and the spirit that defines the Superyacht Challenge Antigua.
A Fleet of Classic Elegance and Modern Performance
The 2026 fleet is divided into three classes, showcasing the remarkable diversity that defines the Superyacht Challenge Antigua.
The Corsairs class features the 121-ft Dykstra sloop Action, the elegant 128ft Hoek-designed sloop Linnea Aurora, and the 108ft Hoek-designed performance cruiser Namuun.
In the Buccaneers division are the beautiful Spirit 111 sloop Geist, the high-performance Swan 90 Hummingbird, and the sleek 90ft Tripp-designed racer Prevail.
The Privateers Performance class includes some of the largest yachts in the fleet: the legendary 213ft three-masted gaff schooner Adix, the powerful 148ft Dubois ketch Catalina, the striking 218ft Dykstra-Reichel Pugh ketch Hetairos, and the graceful 140ft German Frers ketch Rebecca.
The Team Behind the Regatta
The Organising Authority is led by Paul Deeth, supported by Hank Stuart’s Race Committee. The regatta is hosted by the Admiral’s Inn and supported by the National Parks of Antigua & Barbuda. ORC representatives Alberto Pindozzi and Gennaro Aveta are providing technical support and administering the ORCsy Rule.
The TracTrac GPS tracking system will enable live tracking of the boats during the regatta. The TracTrac player is free to download for smart devices from your App.store. The desktop version can be found here: https://www.tractrac.com/event-page/event_20260220_Superyacht/3446
Pantaenius rangefinders issued to each yacht are part of the regatta’s safety procedures including the 40-metre rule of separation.
“Antigua is such a fantastic place to start the superyacht racing season,” commented Shirley Robertson. “Everyone loves coming here. The permanent crews appreciate the professionalism of the service industry that supports the yachts, the race crews love it because the racing is genuinely world-class, and the owners enjoy the relaxed, friendly atmosphere that makes this regatta so special. The trade winds are already firing and the forecast looks fresh, which should make for spectacular sailing.
At the same time, it’s the first event of the season for many teams, so there’s a strong focus on safety and easing everyone back into racing. The Round Antigua Race is the perfect way to start — about 50 miles with every angle of sailing, from open-water waves to flatter sections around the island. It’s a brilliant warm-up and really sets the tone for the entire Caribbean season.”
Racing Begins Thursday 05 March 2026
Racing begins Thursday with two options for competitors: the Round Antigua Race or the shorter Part-Island Race. The vast majority of the fleet have indicated that the lap of Antigua is their preferred option.
The Round Antigua course will have its first start off Fort Charlotte at 0900 AST, covering approximately 48.31 nautical miles around the island. The course is defined by a series of waypoints and marks, all to be left to port, guiding the fleet around Antigua’s coastline.
The pursuit-start format ensures exciting racing throughout the fleet as yachts start at staggered times and aim to converge toward the finish at the entrance to English Harbour.
The SYCA Round Antigua Race record stands at 3 hours 46 minutes 08 seconds, set by Hetairos in 2022, while Action recorded the fastest elapsed time in the last edition.
From Briefing to Boom
Following the briefing, competitors gathered at Boom at the Admiral’s Inn for the traditional Welcome Party, where crews and guests celebrated the start of the regatta for cocktails and a colourful spread of bite-sized skewered delicacies. With the fleet assembled and the trade winds forecast, the 2026 Superyacht Challenge Antigua is officially underway. A full report of the first day’s racing will be posted Friday 06 March.
Images: Roddy Grimes-Graham/Acquafilms & Fraser Edwards Photography