FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA LAUNCHES HIGH-ENERGY RACING SPIN-OFF: THE ANTIGUA  RACING CUP, WHILE ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK HERALDS AN EXCITING RETURN TO  DESTINATION SAILING 

(St. John’s Antigua; July 21, 2025) – The Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism, Civil  Aviation, Transportation and Investment is pleased to announce that a new vision for  yachting in Antigua and Barbuda is beginning to take shape, building on the long established brand of Antigua Sailing Week and the twin-island’s proud maritime traditions.  

“The Ministry of Tourism in consultation with all the relevant stakeholders is pleased to  announce the launch of The Antigua Racing Cup, a bold new addition to Antigua’s  yachting calendar that will take place from April 9 – 12, 2026 kicking off a month of exciting  sailing events”. 

The Antigua Racing Cup is an event for racing purists – those who prefer high-energy,  coastal racing with a fast-paced schedule and a focus on spirited competition. The event  will feature 4 days of exhilarating races in conditions envied by most – balmy  temperatures, trade winds, big seas at very short distances from shore. Strategically  placed in the calendar to allow teams to compete and then head off to their summer  events, racers can expect finely tuned variations of the exhilarating courses they would  usually associate with sailing conditions along Antigua’s spectacular southern coast, and  spectators will still enjoy the breathtaking views from land, sea, or air. 

Onshore, English Harbour will continue to buzz with energy, and the social calendar will  certainly remain packed. Local vendors and artisans will be there to excite every appetite 

not to mention the bars, restaurants, and beach venues in & around English Harbor. All  enthused to host nightly events, including live music, themed parties, and cultural  celebrations that highlight the best of Antiguan hospitality 

In contrast, Antigua Sailing Week, which will take place from April 22 to 26, 2026, makes  a return to its traditional point-to-point courses, as each day’s sailing will conclude at a  different scenic destination. Sailors will enjoy vibrant after-race socials infused with local  culture. ASW will entertain a mix of boat types and crews, and is tailored to cruisers, rally 

style participants and bareboat charter groups. Courses will be point to point for ralliers,  and for those who want to compete, additional marks will be dropped, tacking duels  commence and courses timed as the competitors enjoy a different coastal course each  day. 

“The Antigua Racing Cup is for those on tight schedules who want a fast, focused, and  fiercely fun regatta, while Antigua Sailing Week returns to its cruising roots. Having two  separate events, each with a narrower focus, will allow us to deliver a more immersive  and enriching yachting experience to a wider audience,” said Race Manager Jaime  Torres.  

On the repositioning of Antigua Sailing Week and the creation of the new Antigua Racing  Cup, Minister of Tourism, Charles “Max” Fernandez says, “This exciting new and strategic  direction comes after consulting with all our stakeholders, both at the community level  and those directly involved in the yachting sector. We anticipate a period of sailing in  Antigua that better serves everyone, dedicated racers and social cruisers, while  celebrating everything we love about sailing in Antigua and Barbuda”.  

April 2026 will be a glorious month of sailing in Antigua and Barbuda. In addition to  Antigua Sailing Week and the new Antigua Racing Cup, the sailing calendar will also  feature the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta with the introduction of a Model Boat Race  which will be an exciting draw for the entire family showcasing boats built by the local  yachting community. Encompassing an entire month of great sailing and parties where  all can celebrate our rich maritime traditions where the various events and cultural activities showcase the true spirit of our islands. 

Key highlights of The Antigua Racing Cup: 

• A new platform for high-performance sailing in the Caribbean 

• Convenient 4-day race schedule  

• Ideal calendar position for campaigning boats, race charters, one-design racing &  professional sailors as well as Corinthian crews on our core racer-cruisers and  race charter boats. 

Key highlights of Antigua Sailing Week:

• A return to destination sailing, point to point around Antigua 

• A new, shorter format to better fit into people’s vacation schedules • An option to cruise point to point or race! 

• A focus on fun, fun, and more fun in the sun! 

Antigua Sailing Week and The Antigua Racing Cup, together, reflect our commitment to  attending to the needs of a growing and diverse sailing audience, offering world-class  options for both competitive racers and laid-back cruisers alike. Antigua & Barbuda is  proud to lead the way in shaping the future of Caribbean sailing. 

Further details, including registration and full schedules for both events, will be available  at www.sailingweek.com & www.antiguaracingcup.com in the coming weeks. 

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ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA 

Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the  Caribbean Sea. The twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal  temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning  resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches – one for every  day of the year. The largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108- 

square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular  sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a  listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua’s tourism  events calendar includes the Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month, Run in Paradise, prestigious  Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week,  Antigua and Barbuda Art Week and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s  Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity  hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away.  Barbuda is known for its untouched 11-mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the  largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere.  

Find information on Antigua & Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com 

http://twitter.com/antiguabarbuda 

www.facebook.com/antiguabarbuda 

www.instagram.com/AntiguaandBarbuda  

Antigua and Barbuda Images: aandbtourism.fotoseeker.com