The sailing community of Antigua is abuzz with anticipation for the upcoming Antigua Sailing Week, with a compelling narrative unfolding between a young record-holder and a seasoned racing veteran. Carrack Jones, a 17-year-old local sailor, is preparing to captain a youth crew in the newly formatted event, drawing on experience far beyond his years. His remarkable journey began at age 14 when he set a world record by solo sailing an Optimist dinghy 100 nautical miles across open ocean from Antigua to St. Maarten in a grueling 31-hour voyage—a feat that profoundly shaped his seamanship and self-assurance.
Jones now transitions from small boats to competitive racing, having already notched three Antigua Sailing Week appearances and a recent victory in the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club Valentine’s Regatta’s racer cruiser division. This year, he will helm the family boat, Blue Peter, with a crew of 8-10 sailors all under 18, including his brother Tyson. The team is enthusiastically supported by sponsorship from Absolute Properties and is prepared to take time off school for the event, a regular sacrifice in Jones’s dedicated sailing career.
His mentor and occasional teammate, Bernie Evan-Wong, represents the enduring spirit of Caribbean sailing. A participant since 1982 who has missed only five Antigua Sailing Weeks, Evan-Wong is a stalwart of the regional circuit. His current vessel, High Tension, is a testament to his passion; he spent six months rebuilding the Mumm 36 after it was derelict from hurricane damage. The restoration proved successful, with the boat immediately achieving third-place finishes in the Valentine’s Regatta, Nelson’s Cup, Antigua 360, and the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.
Both sailors express excitement for the new ‘racing and cruising’ format, which will involve daily journeys to different coastal locations and living aboard. Jones, with intimate knowledge of Antigua’s waters, anticipates challenges primarily from wind and currents around Cade’s Bay, Green Island, and Half Moon Bay. Evan-Wong, weighing whether to sail High Tension or a more comfortable boat like his Cal 40 Huey, praised the event’s superior on-water management and shoreside organization compared to other regattas.
Beyond competition, the story highlights a cherished mentor-protégé relationship. Evan-Wong, who has known Jones since infancy, actively fosters youth sailing talent, recognizing the sport’s need for new generations. Their dynamic blends fierce on-water rivalry with deep camaraderie ashore—a hallmark of their sport. For both, the ultimate goal remains the same: a profound love for sailing and the unparalleled joy of competing in their home waters.