After more than five decades as a Caribbean sailing institution, Antigua Sailing Week is undergoing a transformative evolution that will redefine competitive sailing in the region. The legendary regatta, traditionally known for its intense round-the-buoys racing off Antigua’s southern coast, will debut a completely reimagined point-to-point format starting April 22-26, 2026.
The strategic shift represents a deliberate response to changing demographics, economic realities, and evolving sailor preferences rather than a departure from the event’s competitive heritage. According to Antigua Sailing Week President Alison Sly-Adams, the transformation emerged from years of consultation with competitors, charter companies, cruising sailors, and local stakeholders.
“Antigua Sailing Week has always reflected the way people sail now, not the way they sailed 20 or 30 years ago,” Sly-Adams explained. “This evolution allows us to stay true to our competitive DNA while opening the door to a broader cross-section of the sailing community.”
The new format addresses several contemporary challenges: rising participation costs, difficulty assembling full race crews, and sailors’ increasing desire to balance competitive ambitions with family time and richer experiential vacations. The solution replaces daily buoy racing with coastal passages that circumnavigate Antigua’s dramatic coastline, combining competitive elements with exploration and navigation.
Charter companies have welcomed the changes as long overdue. “This format finally reflects how our guests actually want to sail,” noted an Antigua-based charter representative. “They want to sail real miles, drop anchor somewhere beautiful, and still feel like they’ve accomplished something on the water.”
The redesign specifically targets skilled sailors who previously avoided regattas due to perceived intimidation factors. By lowering barriers to entry—both practical and psychological—the event now actively encourages participation from cruising yachts, charter boats, owner-operators, and mixed-experience crews.
Despite these changes, performance racing remains integral to the event. Rating systems and competitive divisions will continue, ensuring that serious racers still find challenging competition within the new framework.
The shoreside experience, long considered essential to Antigua Sailing Week’s character, will be enhanced rather than diminished. The point-to-point format will distribute economic benefits across multiple coastal communities while allowing participants to engage more deeply with Antigua’s diverse anchorages and hospitality offerings.
For participants like Charles Bayer and his 19-person crew from Michigan, the new format offers an ideal balance. “We’re curious to try the new Antigua Sailing Week format,” Bayer said. “It offers more of a laid-back race that focuses on tactics and boat speed without the intensity of buoy racing.”
This evolution mirrors broader trends in Caribbean sailing, where success is increasingly measured not just by who crosses the line first, but by how many feel welcome to participate. The changes position Antigua Sailing Week to remain relevant for future generations while honoring the essential spirit of Caribbean sailing: adaptability, resilience, and joy in the journey.