Acadia Yacht News & Events

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Acadia in Palm Beach 

Acadia

The 2018 edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua drew to a close yesterday. Race 5, the last encounter at the regatta, started in a light breeze which built during the day. In the 23 mile race for the Corsairs, Elfje took the win, followed by Spiip, Rebecca and Danneskjold. Spiip's second place was good enough to win the class by a single point. Rebecca and&nbsp;Elfje were level on points, with Elfje taking second for the regatta on countback, and Rebecca&nbsp;third.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/24449/image/large-b9974b38bce82827618fd9e7f85102f5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/24449">In the 18 mile race for the Buccaneers, Acadia completed their perfect scoreline for the regatta, taking the class win. Zig Zag went for a bold start, but fouled the pin end, resulting in a penalty with Marama joining Zig Zag in third. “At the start of the race, there was little wind and we thought it was going to be a very long day. However, the breeze built and we got into the pressure before Rebecca.” Commented Elfje's skipper Fergus Ross. “We started to reel Rebecca in and then pass her. We had a clock on Spiip up ahead, and we were gaining on them. By the finish, we were delighted with the race win. Elfje started the regatta with a win and we finished with one, so that has really consolidated what has been a really good week.”<img src="/uploads/store/photo/24455/image/large-8723d96760a741df0bd3d0fec3640427.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/24455" style="background-color: initial; font-size: 0.85rem;"> <img src="/uploads/store/photo/24454/image/large-800085a10a9bba21249171bfde1ccf11.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/24454"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/24453/image/large-d457c9b2ffab6ea31f58a9e439d87c61.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/24453"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/24452/image/large-c412b748e911fd28186904a4b5541514.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/24452"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/24451/image/large-9787608d94b8add13642626483a1f26b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/24451"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/24450/image/large-499162e4b1c491d297d091702040ca50.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/24450"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/24448/image/large-3fdea2d246cfa450b967fcf45e09c43d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/24448">“The Zig Zag crew have worked hard all week with a smile, and we have thoroughly enjoyed the regatta,” commented Philip Howard Smith, skipper of Oyster 82 Zig Zag. “We came close to beating Acadia yesterday, so despite the fact that the class was decided, we put our all into the last race. Zig Zag's owner, John McMonigall, is 75 years old and drives Zig Zag. John absolutely loves to come to this regatta, and we will be back in 2020 with the new Oyster 885, which is in-build at Oyster Yachts.”The Superyacht Challenge Antigua uses the ORCsy Rule to decide race winners. “Just look at how close the results are and you can see that this rule is working.” commented the regatta organiser Stan Pearson, who has been at the helm of Rebecca for the Superyacht Challenge Antigua. “The Corsairs Class was decided on the last race, and the top three positions all changed, right at the end. I only wish we had stuck to a three-day regatta because we would have won!” Laughed Stan Pearson.“ORCsy uses the same core of the ORC Rule, the same VPP, but it has some special features for superyachts.” Explained Paolo Massarini, ORCsy Manager. “The superyacht VPP includes some particular characteristics such as windage from freeboard, furled sails, antenna domes, and superstructures. It also includes variables such as the number of masts, type of rigs, and appendages. The Superyacht Challenge Antigua is very useful for ORCsy as it comes at the start of the season, and the regatta gives us data on a variety of boats.”Photos by Claire Matches&nbsp;

In Pictures: Superyacht Challenge Antigua comes to a close