Amidst a brief morning shower, Antigua’s Pigeon Point buzzed with anticipation as competitors at the Antigua Wingfoil Championships geared up for an exciting day of racing. The winds, steady and strong, provided ideal conditions for the anticipated downwinder, promising a thrilling experience for all.
Over the challenging 8-nautical-mile course, local talent Idani Edwards soared across the finish line in a staggering 29 minutes, shattering the previous record by over 10 minutes. A happy Idani exclaimed, “I was determined to break the record, and it looks like it paid off!” Eli Fuller, competing in the Wingfoil Pro Class, marvelled at Idani’s speed, remarking, “You were a blur out there!”
Not to be outdone, Mark Mains crossed the finish line just behind Idani in 36 minutes and 44 seconds, a remarkable improvement from his 2023 performance as he then finished in 1 hour 35 minutes. Organiser Sacha van der Wouden, fascinated by the competitors’ progress, commented, “The improvement in both skills and equipment never ceases to amaze me. Shaving off an entire hour from a personal record is truly remarkable.”
Despite the long course, the race saw fierce competition, with Frano Tregaskis edging out Tristan Lourens by a mere two seconds for third place.
After a well-deserved lunch break aboard the Sunsail Committee Boat, competitors were eager for more action. Taking advantage of the strong winds, an additional five course races were held, allowing for an extra discard. Arianna Casagrande, the sole female competitor in the event, expressed her love for racing, saying, “I’m loving every minute of it!”.
Technical discussions and shared experiences filled the air, showcasing the camaraderie within the fleet. With spirits high and fatigue forgotten, all eyes are now set on the final race day tomorrow.
Looking ahead, Sammy Martin, competing in the Wingfoil Pro Class, expressed optimism for another spectacular day, saying, “Let’s hope tomorrow brings us the same unexpected winds; I’m sure we’ll have an incredible day!”
- Results can be found here: https://caribbeanfoiling.com/antigua/awc-results/
- More details about the event here: https://caribbeanfoiling.com/antigua/awc-about
- For more information about Antigua Sailing Week, go to: https://sailingweek.com/
Pictures made by Roddy Grimes-Greame
The Antigua Wingfoil Championships will celebrate its second edition in 2024, taking place in the beginning of one of the world’s major sailing events; Antigua Sailing Week. This new, young and vibrant Class will offer three days of racing and with a professional as well as a leisure division the event is open to Wingfoilers of all levels. With trade winds, crystal clear waters and an everyday sunshine, this island paradise is the perfect setting for this one-of-a- kind event. Come and join the first Wingfoil Class of the Antigua Sailing Week: 25-26-27 April.