The Super Yacht Challenge run from January 27th to 29th on the south coast of Antigua received entries from some of the world’s most prestigious super yachts, including Swan 100, Virago. For 2012 eleven yachts, all in excess of 80 feet, raced together under the committee headed up by Paul Deeth and Stan Pearson.
Courses were run from a start line just off the entrance to English Harbour, with course marks set for three, 12 to 30 mile races and finishing back at English Harbour. Racing took the style of pursuit races, with courses set daily according to the prevailing conditions, suiting this Swan entry.
A hallowed place for sailors, the Caribbean location of Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour, Antigua was the ideal location for January sailing with over 300 years of local maritime history.
Built in 2006, the German Frers designed, Swan yacht was tipped to be the fastest yacht in the regatta, capable of speeds in excess of 20 knots due to an extraordinary power to weight ratio. Given the fine fayre of warm trade winds that Antigua is famed for, Virago has set a precedent for super yacht performance.
Virago also has an undisputed history of top worldwide results, having won St Barths Bucket Regatta just last year and competes regularly at grand prix sailing events the world over including the Rolex Swan Cup and Newport Bucket Regatta.
This high performance racer cruiser from Nautor’s Swan maintained a solid performance throughout the regatta with a score line of 2nd, 2nd, 1st and 12th, this puts Virago overall in 3rd position with 17 points.
In time honoured tradition, the podium places, received a keg or rum for their achievement.
Image © Tim Wright, Photoaction.com 2012
For further information please visit www.thesuperyachtchallenge.com
