11 Photos
Officials from Antigua and Barbuda are in Sag Harbor this weekend for the annual Antigua & Barbuda Hamptons Challenge Regatta. From left, Colin James, CEO of the country's Tourism Authority, Sag Harbor Mayor Jim Larocca, i-tri founder Theresa Roden, Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism and Investment Charles H. Fernandez, his wife, Jill Fernandez, and Dean Fenton, the country's U.S. director of tourism. STEPHEN J. KOTZ
Non-spinnaker winner Philip Walters at the wheel of the J35 August Sky rounding the weather mark with the winner of the spinnaker division Bud Rogers, Commodore of the Breakwater Yacht Club, on his J-109 Big Boat. MICHAEL MELLA
Ray Pepi at the helm of his J-109 Cleo with Daniel Montero on his J-109 Holiday in hot pursuit. MICHAEL MELLA
Ray Pepi’s J-109 Cleo, Bill Lehnert’s LS-10 Lunatic Fringe and Daniel Montero’s J-109 Holiday on their final downwind leg. MICHAEL MELLA
Steve Kenny’s J-109 Gossip, Ray Pepi’s J- 109 Cleo and Lee Oldak’s Henderson 30 Purple Haze with spinnakers flying. MICHAEL MELLA
Steve Kenny’s J-109 Gossip with Ray Pepi at the helm of his J-109 Cleo and Daniel Montero on his J-109 Holiday trying to close the gap. MICHAEL MELLA
Steve Kenny’s J-109 Gossip dueling with Lee Oldak’s Henderson 30 Purple Haze. MICHAEL MELLA
Lee Oldak’s Henderson 30 Purple Haze beating Steve Kenny’s J-109 Gossip to the finish line by mere seconds. MICHAEL MELLA
Tom Wacker giving a “hats off.” MICHAEL MELLA
Doug Davies’ CAL 33 Gypsy Moon, Richard Bockman’s J-95 Gale Force, Bill Coster’s Tartan 33 Silent Passage and Tom Wacker’s J-105 Trading Places enjoying racing at its best. MICHAEL MELLA
Non-spinnaker winner Philip Walters at the wheel of his J35 August Sky rounding the weather mark. MICHAEL MELLA
The Antigua & Barbuda Hamptons Challenge Regatta is returning to Sag Harbor this year on Saturday, August 13, after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the i-tri girls organization, will include a sailing regatta in Noyac Bay that, for the winner, includes an all-expenses paid trip, including a charter boat, to compete in Antigua Sailing Week 2023, which runs next year from April 29 to May 5.
Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism and Investment Charles Fernandez and his wife, Jill, arrived in Sag Harbor on Friday for the regatta, signaling the importance his country places on the event.
The Caribbean nation is known for its sailing. Fernandez said the royal Ocean Sailing Club’s annual races early in the year draw major interest, as does the annual Sailing Week.
Fernandez stressed that Antigua and Barbuda is dedicated to sustainable tourism.
“What attracts people more than anything else is beautiful scenery,” he said, noting that the country has put resources into restoring reefs and other measures to preserve its natural beauty.
Fernandez, who has attended two previous regattas in Sag Harbor, said he enjoyed his visits here. “It reminds me a bit of home,” he said. “I’m impressed that so much greenery has been preserved.”
The regatta will benefit i-tri, a program that aims to empower middle-school girls through physical fitness and other self-esteem building programs. The program’s founder, Theresa Roden, said about 1,000 girls had gone through the i-tri program, which is now offered in 12 schools, from Montauk to Mastic.
The Antigua & Barbuda Hamptons Challenge Regatta has been expanded this year. Besides Saturday’s race, there will be a Caribbean Festival and Crafts Fair, with live music and local, hand-made goods for sale in John Steinbeck Waterfront Park in Sag Harbor on Saturday.
During the weekend, the gallery Hidden Gem in Southampton is also hosting a “Sip and Shop” event featuring Antiguan gifts.
Saturday’s race begins at noon, a pre-race skippers’ meeting is at 11 a.m.
There will be a post-race awards cocktail party, also in Steinbeck Park, with live music and dancing, along with food, wine and beer. Tickets are $50 in advance at abhamptonsfest.com, or $55 at the door.
Stephen J. Kotz on Aug 12, 2022