Mill Reef Yacht Club Team Race
Challenge
Antigua, West Indies
26th February - 2nd March 2014
The inaugural Mill Reef Yacht Club Team
Race Challenge invites members of prestigious yacht clubs to enjoy an
exciting racing programme and fabulous social occasions at one of
Antigua's most exclusive locations. The teams from Antigua, Europe,
United States and Sweden will race in three boat teams consisting of
1720 Sportsboats, Dragons and Rhodes 19s. Nine members are permitted
per team and world class sailors will be attending the regatta.
The social programme starts on the 26th
February with the Commodore's Cocktail Reception, where the draw for
boats will be made, followed by a Barbecue Buffet Dinner in the Main
Dining Room at Mill Reef.
Racing starts on 28th
February with as many as 30 starts per day. The intended racing
format is for a box course allowing from plenty of boat on boat
action. Each team will race in flights, in a round robin format. The
course will be set in the stunning confines of Nonsuch Bay, as close
as possible to the Mill Reef Club, for the benefit of spectators and
crews who are between flights.
Royal Yacht Squadron: Graham and
Julia Bailey will head up a strong team for The Royal Yacht Squadron,
Cowes. The Husband and wife team have huge experience in Dragons and
Etchells, competing in many world championships over the past decade
and Graham is a proven helmsman at team racing events.
Club Naval de Cascais: Patrick
de Barros leads the team from Portugal, Club Naval de Cascais has a
strong racing heritage with a highly competitive Dragon fleet and
hosted the 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championship. Patrick Monteiro de
Barros is one of Portugal's finest sailors, a former RC44 Champion
and experienced Star Class sailor. The Portuguese team will include
members of the ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team, which came third in the
Youth America's Cup last September.
Swiss/Swedish Team: The former
America's Cup syndicate head, Hugo Stenbeck will lead a team of Swiss
and Swedish sailors. Hugo is a 6 Metre World and European Champion
and prolific high performance keelboat sailor, a previous winner of
Antigua Sailing week and numerous offshore races.
Sail Newport: Rhode Island boat
restorer and banker, Jamie Hilton will lead a team from Newport.
Jamie is a highly experienced 6 metre and Farr 40 helmsman and twice
World Champion in the 12 metre class. Jamie Hilton races in all
manner of boats and events, including winning the 2013 Transpac Race,
in the classic yacht Dorade.
Mill Reef YC: Poul Hoj-Jensen
will lead the host team, Poul is one of Denmark's most decorated
sailors and has taken part in ten Dragon World Championships, winning
on three occasions and won the Dragon Gold Cup on five occasions.
Poul is a multiple one-design world champion and has competed at four
Olympic Games, winning two Gold and one Silver Medal. Fuller Cowles,
Commodore of Mill Reef YC and Ralph Isham, syndicate head of 12 metre
Courageous, will be competing for Mill Reef YC and America's Cup
winner, Robbie Doyle will add his legendary expertise.
“Racing just outside the Mill Reef
Yacht Club in Nonsuch Bay is fantastic, it is one of the best places
to sail anywhere in the world.” Commented Poul Hoj-Jensen. “There
is always good stable wind and flat water, the conditions are
beautifully warm and the scenery is spectacular. This is a completely
new and novel event, teams can change crew between boats and we have
tried to keep the event very open to encourage as many sailors as
possible to participate. Looking at the weather in Europe and the
USA, Antigua will be a welcome change in temperature for many of the
sailors. No oil skins will be needed but don't forget your hats and
sunscreen!”
Competitors will have full access to
the The Mill Reef Club, a private club set on 1,500 waterfront acres
with sandy white beaches, a breathtaking 9-hole golf course, 6 tennis
courts, and a fully equipped yacht club.
