Wildcat Sailorgirl

Classics Week 2014 - Lady in the Rigging

One of the "events" on Thursday evening was a acrobatic performance in the rigging of the classic 1936 yacht The Blue Peter. Huh? I know. I said the same thing.

Turns out The Blue Peter lost it's mast during last year's Classics Race Week. This was some sort of dedication/performance/entertainment. Okay. This I got to see. At 8pm we headed down the dock to The Blue Peter.

There were a few lights placed on the dock and shining up into the rigging when we got down there.

This gal suddenly came out of the boat in a sparkly leotard and quickly shimmied up a halyard. Now when I say quickly, I mean quickly. A monkey in the zoo couldn't have done it faster. She then proceeded to preform a routine that would rival any Cirque du Solei act - sort of her own Cirque du Solei Old Boat Rigging act if you will. No net, no safety line, no assistance. And she was no anorexic, teenage gymnast either. She was a normal, fit, healthy size woman. Perhaps she was a carnie in her previous life? Or a Romanian Olympic gymnast, teammate and BFF to Nadia Comaneci - remember her?

Anyway, she did some simply amazing moves. We happened to be standing on the dock by several fellow cruisers during all of this. It didn't take long for the smartass comments to start flying - quietly among us only. One cruising guy said "Wow. Amazing. Now quick, someone send her up a screwdriver so she can fix the windvane." Another said "Send her up some LED's. Hey, do you think she will come to my boat and change the masthead light?" Still another said "Yeah, that's great and all but can she tie a bowline." That last one might have been a female cruiser. After the performance, one cruising gal said "Now I am all fired up to go up our mast tomorrow and fix...whatever." I added "In your sparkly leotard?" And her husband said "Oh Yeah!" Cruisers!

Classics Social

Sabrina with Anne s/v Receta and author of "Spice Necklace" and various other books and articles

Originally we were not going to stay in Antigua for Classics Week. However, more and more cruisers kept arriving in the anchorage and telling us "You HAVE to stay for classics. It's so much fun." And they were right.

Baxter, Molly, Sabrina, Tom, Diane, Ric

The best part was all the cruisers we met. Many we hear each moring on the SSB Coconut Telegraph but have never actually met in person until last week Classics. We also met many seasoned cruisers that have been at this for awhile and many who we will continue to see down island as we sail south. We even met fellow Caliber 40 owners Don and Heather on s/v Asseance. Heather is going to take care of us newbies and get us two of the coveted "Mount Gay Race Week" red hats since we didn't stay until the end of race week. Thanks Heather. See you in St Lucia or Trinidad.

Each night there were parties ashore. These were put on by the various sponsors meaning FREE food and drink. Now what have I told you all in the past about cruisers and free stuff? We LOVE free! There was music, a raffle and a few giveaways. Good times.

Classics Action

Day 1 racing action

Friday, April 18th we joined the crew of s/v Terrapin (Molly and Baxter) and hiked up to a point above Pigeon Beach to watch race one. Soon several others joined us. However, they weren't as forward thinking as us as none of them thought to bring lunch - roti's by Mama Roti and a crisp white to wash it all down. Classics style - oh yeah! The view was terrific and we got to see some good action.

Close crossing

Close for these type of yachts

J H2 boat and crowd favorite Rainbow with crew of like....18

More heading out to race

Pre-race maneuvers

Line honors and first in her class s/v Lilly Maid - yay!

Saturday, April 19th we again joined Molly and Baxter to watch the races. This time we hiked over to English Harbor and then up and out to a very remote point between English and Falmouth Harbors to watch the action. The wind was really blowing. Later, we learned there were gusts to 35 out on the race course. A couple of yachts retired due to breakages but everyone else hung tough and fought the good fight. We got to see some exciting action as we were right above mark three. There were a couple of close calls rounding this mark. Granted there usually are in yacht racing but these are not your average plastic fantastic sailboats. Tacking a schooner or gaff rigged yacht with multiple sails is no easy feat.