Antigua Sailing Week Offers Performance 40 Series Winner Trip to 2028 Caribbean Regatta

A landmark collaborative agreement between the UK-based Performance 40 Class and Antigua Sailing Week, formally unveiled at the 2026 Performance 40 National Championships hosted at the prestigious Royal Yacht Squadron in October 2026, is set to redefine cross-Atlantic competitive sailing opportunities for British racing crews starting in 2027. Under the terms of the new deal, Antigua Sailing Week has been named the Official Series & Prize Partner for the 2027 Performance 40 Series, with a transformative grand prize reserved for the overall top-performing team of that year’s P40 championship. The all-inclusive award package covers six round-trip airfares departing from London to Antigua, a fully provisioned charter racing yacht, and complimentary full event entry to the 2028 edition of Antigua Sailing Week, clearing the path for the winning crew to transition their competitive sailing journey from the UK’s iconic Solent waterways to the sun-drenched, trade wind-fueled courses of the Caribbean. Beyond the headline prize, the partnership is strategically designed to draw more UK-based racing teams to Antigua’s newly expanded dual-event regatta calendar, which now delivers two uniquely tailored sailing experiences for different segments of the global yachting community. First, the newly launched Antigua Racing Cup, scheduled to run March 17 to 21, 2027, is purpose-built for high-performance competitive yachts, performance cruisers, and both professional and Corinthian (amateur) crews. Featuring rigorously challenging coastal race routes, the consistent, steady trade winds the Caribbean is renowned for, and a vibrant, community-focused shoreside social schedule, the event creates a seamless extension opportunity for teams already competing in the legendary RORC Caribbean 600 to prolong their Caribbean racing campaigns before they return to the European sailing season later that year. The second flagship offering, the 2027 iteration of Antigua Sailing Week, running April 21 to 25, has been revamped to return to its core founding ethos of destination-focused sailing. Its refreshed structure features scenic point-to-point race routes that circumnavigate Antigua and visit nearby island destinations, laid-back beachside celebration gatherings, and flexible participation options that allow crews to either compete formally in racing divisions or enjoy a more leisurely cruising-focused experience. The redesigned format masterfully blends the best of Caribbean adventure sailing, island exploration, and the region’s world-famous warm hospitality. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority is also a key supporting partner for the initiative, and has committed to supplying signature local rum for curated event gatherings, hosting exclusive drinks receptions for visiting crews, and providing additional spot prizes across the full 2027 Antigua regatta season to enhance the visitor experience. Leadership from all partnering organizations have hailed the agreement as a major milestone for transatlantic sailing ties. Michael Blair, representing the Performance 40 Class Committee, noted that the partnership adds an electrifying new layer of excitement to the 2027 P40 championship season, and that the expanded Antigua regatta lineup gives British sailors more compelling reasons than ever to make the journey to the Caribbean, while strengthening long-term competitive links between UK and Antiguan yachting circles. The Honourable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism for Antigua and Barbuda, emphasized that his nation’s central geographic position in the Caribbean makes it the natural epicenter of regional sailing competition, and that the partnership will help build enduring connections with the Performance 40 fleet while welcoming more British crews to a calendar that caters to every type of boat and sailing skill level. Alison Sly-Adams, President of Caribbean Sailing Events Inc — the organizing body behind both Antigua Sailing Week and the Antigua Racing Cup — explained that the dual-event structure creates two distinct value propositions: it lets competitive racing teams extend their Caribbean campaigns after the RORC Caribbean 600 via the Antigua Racing Cup, while offering sailing enthusiasts craving a laid-back, destination-focused experience the chance to wrap up their Caribbean sailing season on a high note at the redesigned Antigua Sailing Week. The Performance 40 Class will run its full 2027 season in collaboration with its longstanding Title Partner North Sails alongside its new Caribbean event partners, with additional details about the series and the Antigua regattas available on the official P40 Class website at /p40class.