After a three-year Covid hiatus, the fourth edition of the Antigua Bermuda Race will start from Antigua May 9th 2023. The 935nm oceanic race is managed by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in association with Antigua Sailing Week, and supported by the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Goslings Rum. The race is designed to suit a wide range of yachts and crew, with memorable parties both in Antigua and Bermuda.
After leaving Antigua the fleet pass Barbuda and will be out of sight of land until the finish in Bermuda. The race is an experience of about 1,000 miles of tropical Atlantic sailing - a true blue ocean adventure. Sailing in the deep, competitors will experience reaching conditions in warm oceanic swell and a magical night sky.
Canadian Pogo 12.50 Hermes II has raced in all previous editions of the Antigua Bermuda Race.
"Every year I look forward to the Antigua Bermuda Race and I think Hermes does too," smiled Meg Reilly. "She gets to stretch out her legs and surf some real ocean waves.
The first few days of the race are basically a guaranteed sleigh ride. Reaching in the trade-winds, Hermes effortlessly coasts between waves, impressing her crew as she holds double-digit speeds so gracefully. With the perfect sail plan and trim, she drives herself; and all you need to do is just sit back and enjoy the ride. We encourage more sailors to apply to join our crew for this event or others through the Caribbean season. Hoping to build on our podium position in 2019!"
The 935nm oceanic offshore race is open to IRC and CSA Racing Yachts, Cruiser Racers, Super Yachts, and Multihulls. Classic yachts and double-handed teams have their own category, and a secondary motor sailing handicap in the CSA Classes, allows yachts to use their engines and still get a result, subject to a time penalty. The Antigua Bermuda Race is governed by CAT 1 World Sailing Offshore Safety Requirements, with additional requirements for offshore communications.
The Antigua Bermuda Race is timed to coincide with the end of Antigua Sailing Week, when many yachts are planning to sail north back to North America or east from Bermuda across the Atlantic Ocean. The origin of the modern Antigua Bermuda Race is as a feeder race for the 2017 America's Cup, however the course from Antigua to Bermuda is a long established route for oceanic yachts.With the high current ocean freight rates, the Antigua Bermuda Race offers a great option to take your boat north out of the Caribbean in a safe, economic and highly enjoyable way.
Over the previous three editions of the race, conditions have ranged from the thrill of surfing down Atlantic rollers at full speed, to glassy calms where tactics and strategy coming to the fore. The Antigua Bermuda Race delivers a transatlantic experience without the time and logistics required to cross the great ocean.
Maxime Grimard and Gilles Barbot took part in two previous races as Team Manager and Skipper on Whitbread 60 Esprit de Corp III. The objective of their sailing team, Atlas Ocean Racing, is to develop and promote Quebec sailing internationally.
"The Antigua Bermuda is a great race for the sailors who want to have a first offshore racing experience and get a taste of the Atlantic Ocean," commented Maxime Grimard. "It fits perfectly with our racing program, putting an end to the Caribbean series before doing some spring maintenance in Canada. Going back to Bermuda is also very special for our team as we usually get to meet with our friends around some genuine Gosling's Dark 'n Stormy!"
The 2023 Notice of Race has now been released. The 2019 SI's remain posted for reference. Registration is now open. If you are thinking of joining us, please complete the online survey of interest. Whole Boat Race charters with an owner's rep should be available, as well as Head Boats offering individual crew places on a competing boat - a great way to experience the event and meet new people.
Updated 11/23/22
