Christmas starts at the AYC!

AYC members in English Harbour are still catching their breath after a weekend that delivered a heady mix of sailing, celebration and festive excess. The fun kicked off on Friday with the annual Christmas Dinner, a fitting and cheerful way to round off the year—made all the more impressive by how quickly it came together. Huge thanks go to newly appointed Social Director, Gigi Di Renzo, who worked wonders at short notice. Though smaller in scale, the evening was relaxed, friendly, and full of good conversation, helped along by a delicious sit-down buffet from Club Sushi and a generous flow of rum punch. Thanks to Angie and her team at Club Sushi.

The racing momentum had already begun the previous weekend with the warm-up series. Brown Skin Girl, sailed by Carrack Jones and his young crew on Saturday, backed up by Richard Fear and Tommy Paterson on the Wednesday, took top honours, followed by Whiplash with Ashley Rhodes and Bunglebird, sailed by Robbie Ferron, in third.

The Jol Byerley High Tide Trophy regatta proper burst into life on Saturday and Sunday, raising the annual question: what was more competitive, the sailing or the after-party? Rear Commodore Sandy Mair, moving at full Santa-speed for weeks beforehand, ensured the event delivered for sailors and shore crew alike. After long, demanding days on the water, competitors were greeted by a splendid feast, with enormous thanks to Barbie and her team for keeping hungry sailors well fed and happy. Sailors and non-sailors joined an evening of flowing drinks and food and some spontaneous dancing and games! Unexpected award of the week goes to the impressive hula-hoop skills of a young sailor who joined the fun.

On the results board, Class A was dominated by Whiplash (Ashley Rhodes), with Danish Blue sailed by Poul Hoj-Jensen taking second. Class B honours went to Huey Too, sailed by Bernie Evan Wong, followed by Bunglebird (Robbie Ferron) and Cricket (Sandy Mair). It was great to welcome the Huey Too crew who joined the series and from Jolly Harbour with infectious enthusiasm for both racing and party

Overall, Whiplash claimed the top spot, with Bunglebird second and Danish Blue third. Cricket finished fourth, ahead of Huey Too in fifth, Brown Skin Girl in sixth, and Apache rounding out the fleet in seventh.

Seven boats competed across the full series, with many more members and guests joining the celebrations ashore. Thanks to sponsors Caribbean Alliance and Antigua Distilleries, no glass went unfilled, while sponsor and official AYC photographer Ed Gifford was on hand to capture the action and assist with prize-giving. Robyn Stout made some great photos from the committee boat. A cheer also went up for Race Officer Dave Simpson and his hardworking team, Ray for creating the impressive trophies and Budget Marine for providing the marking buoys.

It was a weekend that captured the very spirit of AYC: members pulling it all together, spirited racing, great company and plenty of fun both on and off the water.

Zoë Carlton

All Official Photos from the Event by Ed Gifford can be found – Here