Chalk up another new experience in Spirit’s journey – Oyster’s 2016 Caribbean Regatta in Antigua. From April 4th to the 9th eighteen Oyster yachts, from 53′ to 88′ gathered for a week of racing and evening festivities. The weather was glorious, the people we met from around the world were welcoming and the racing was incredible.
Divided into three race classes, there was spirited competition in all four races. Being new, we were pretty happy with a 3rd place finish in the first race but we managed to pull out a 2nd place finish in the second race. By the third and fourth race days we were able to place first in both which translated to finishing first in our class for the week. An amazing experience shared by the entire crew – our son Jeff, good friends Pat and Bill, and of course our crew couple Tom and Hannah.
A professional photographer captured all the excitement and the pictures below speak volumes.
It’s now time for Spirit to head north up the Leeward Islands with planned stops in Nevis, Statia, St. Barts, Anguilla and St. Martin.
The journey continues.
Oyster yachts at Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbor
Spirit ahead of the fleet
A perfect day for the spinnakers
A rainbow of colors
An exhilerating windward leg
Breaking through the waves
The crew on the port rail
Is this fun or what?
Who’s got the right of way?
Spirit’s track during the regatta – English Harbor to English Harbor