Lime it in Antigua

Race week came with wind and sunshine. The start line was short, and we were late. The big 150% jib took a lot of winching! Tacking up the island shore we overtook one boat, then another, and another. Coming into the windward mark we were lying second. Tack. Crisis - tack back - too late! The jib had caught on the radar and it ripped - big time.

It was Easter Sunday and the sailmakers were closed until the afternoon.
In Antigua, to Lime, means to take life easy. The sun was shining. We limed.

Race 2: Out to the start, unroll the main, unroll the jib - good repair. Why's the main falling down? To our frustration and dismay the roller swivel at the head had taken this moment to have a terminal failure. We limed.

Races three and four, I was on "Sunshine", built in 1958, in GRP with a long keel, she was an old lady. We had two great races, 25+kts, fluffy tradewind clouds and sunshine it did. Sadly though we cracked the boom, so yet again it was no more racing.

Race week is not a patch on Classic Week. Yes, the parties are bigger, with good bands, and last into the small hours each night, but its very commercial. Everyone wants your money. The best bit is all the shacks that appear overnight in the carparks. The locals set up their BBQ's, and sell good local food (at a price). It's a great opportunity to try Conch Chowder, Goat Water, Jerk Chicken, and Fish Roti, all server with pigeon pea rice, plantain, and fresh mango sauce.

I'll stick to Classics, with its beautiful boats, free champagne, beer and canapes!

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