2018 Antigua Bermuda Race: a unique race for all starting in May

The 2018 Antigua Bermuda Race will start on May 9, 2018, organised by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in association with Antigua Sailing Week. The 935 mile offshore race is supported by the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Goslings Rum. Yachts of 40ft and over will be racing under the IRC, ORCsy, PCS and the CSA Racing Rules, with the latter amended to permit boats to use their engines, subject to a time penalty.

Early entries for the second edition of the Antigua Bermuda Race promise a variety of yachts, including hi-tech ocean racers, luxury bluewater yachts and performance cruisers. In addition, Gosling Rum continues their support, ensuring a superb party in Nelson's Dockyard Antigua prior to the start, and a memorable Prize Giving at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. It is expected that many of the 25+ Atlantic Anniversary Regatta participants will join the race in anticipation of their July race from Bermuda to Hamburg.

Fresh from their success as overall winners of the 2017 RORC Transatlantic Race - the first leg of the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta - Eric de Turckheim's Nivelt-Muratet 54 Teasing Machine has confirmed their entry and will be a strong contender for the IRC Racing Division: "The Antigua Bermuda Race fits perfectly into the schedule for Teasing Machine and gives the team the experience of racing to Bermuda," commented Teasing Machine Tactician Laurent Pages. "We are expecting good opposition, which will be great fun and an opportunity to improve the performance of the boat and the crew. The Antigua Bermuda Race is unlike many other offshore races because at 935 miles it is longer than most and the majority of the course is away from the influences of land."

Oyster Yachts Chief Executive Officer, David Tydeman has confirmed that there will be an Oyster Class for the Antigua Bermuda Race: "For Oyster owners wishing to join us for the Oyster Regatta in Bermuda, 21st-26th May this passage event could be a great way to make the journey," explained Tydeman. "Oysters will be racing under the IRC Rating Rule and the CSA Racing Rule, with the latter amended to permit boats to use their engines, subject to a time penalty. The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club has many years of experience hosting the Newport Bermuda Race and Antigua is the spiritual Caribbean home of Oyster, which will guarantee a fantastic welcome and a great party in Bermuda."

Jeremi Jablonski's American Hanse 43 Avanti was runner-up in both IRC and the CSA Classes last year and returns full of enthusiasm for the Antigua Bermuda Race: "First of all you have the safety of travelling in a large organised group, and the friendly competition brings more excitement to our passage making," commented Jablonski. "The camaraderie before, during and after the race makes it a very unique event, as you can meet racing and cruising sailors alike."