Alice C I’ A Widdows is a Regatta Manager on the classic yacht circuit. A keen yachtswomen and self – confessed island hopping addict, preferably by boat. Meet our new Classic Yachting Columnist. alicewiddows.com
W H O A M I ?
I spent long lazy summers growing up in Mallorca surrounded by sea and boats. My father had a small classic teak launch that was Mothership to my sailing dinghies and windsurfers, which I sailed enthusiastically along the SW coastline and Dragonera. I competed in
races At The Club de Vela in Port D’Andratx in my steadfast Optimist Amigo, just for kicks and the camaraderie.
Catching the bug for classic yachts in 2009 I joined as crew and later to manage and market The W – Class Racing Yachts on a global race campaign. Later I organized a Rally for a fleet of Spirit Yachts in The Mediterranean regattas. In 2003 I went on to set up a Superyacht Marina in Valencia for The 2007 America’s Cup before I became Events Director for Boat International Media, overseeing 22 superyacht global events annually.
G O A S K A L I C E !
I now run Alice Widdows Regatta Management offering a tailor-made and discreet service for discerning yacht owners wishing to participate in Classic Yacht Racing in the Mediterranean. From Measurement & Ratings, Registration; Logistics & Shore Support; Berthing and Home Berths, Entertainment & Social Programs, a bespoke package is created for each yacht enabling the owner and crew to relax and focus on the important details of the competition and to fully enjoy each glamorous location.
With a little black book built up over nearly 20 years in the yachting industry it is a common request to “Go Ask Alice!” if an owner urgently requires a private jet to Geneva, the captain requires a berth in St Tropez, the deckhand a sail maker in imperia, the Stewardess needs a private dinner party organising in Porto Santo Stefano, the Navigator a tactician required in Cannes or the owner’s wife suddenly desperate for a descent blow dry in Monte Carlo. A quick discreet call, a solution always found, owners and crew left happy.
Covering The Mediterranean, The Balearics, Italy and the Côte d’Azur let Alice Widdows Regatta Management show you the best of the best in sailing destinations and introduce you to the Corinthian spirit and elegant world of classic yacht racing.
S P O T L I G H T O N T H E C A R I B B E A N
This month we are looking at races in which classic and modern classic yachts have recently competed. Just keep it beautiful I say!
R O R C C A R I B B E A N 6 0 0, Antigua 23 – 28 Feb 2016
The 8th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 started in spectacular style with a record 70 – yacht fleet gathering in outside English Harbour, Antigua. The fleet ranged from modern multihulls to classic yachts including The Blue Peter Alfred Milne (19.6 metres) (1930) and the modern classic Spanish schooner Adix (64.5 metres) (1984)
Competitors started the 600-mile race under the Pillars of Hercules to an enthusiastic audience of thousands of spectators lining the cliffs of Shirley Heights and Fort Charlotte.
The Blue Peter had a great start and in Saint Johns, Antigua was spotted ahead for a split second of the modern racing machine Comanche that took overall mono hull winner. However she reported in on the 23rd February “Minor spinnaker issues in the night, but all fixed now and charging on to make up lost time.” Sadly later on in the race they experienced serious damage to a spreader and were forced to retire to St Barths for the night. Owner Mathew Barker “We were going to win too! I was heartbroken, silly breakage when we were doing so well. I really wanted to show a wider audience what a classic can do.”
Adix completed the race in an elapsed time of 2 days 19 hours 33 minutes and 5 seconds, coming 1st in the spirit of tradition class, 2nd in super yacht. She is owned by the botin family who also had a Class40 competing in the race, finishing just 3 hours before.
Gonzalo Botin, owner of Class40, Tales II “On our family duel with Adix, I always thought it would be close in spite of the size and other differences”.
Adix, a three masted schooner was built in Palma in 1984 originally as Jessica by astilleros Palma de Mallorca, designed by Arthur Holgate and Dijkstra & Partners under the project management of Mallorca based Captain, John Bardon. Later she was owned by Alan Bond and named Castlemain XXXX before undergoing an extensive refining of her look and lines and extended to the length she is today by Gerard Dijkstra and Captain Paul Goss. She has since had extensive refits at Pendennis shipyard in the uk. Adix is mothership to The Lady Anne (1912) a 15 metre restored by fairlie restorations in 1999. The pair can be seen together on the classic yacht regatta circuit in the UK and when permitted by CIM (Comite International de la Mediteranee), in The Mediterranean.
George Sakellaris’ Maxi72, Proteus (USA) was declared overall winner of The RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy for the best corrected time under IRC Rating rule. To celebrate, Antigua yacht club hosted a memorable prize giving, everyone drank rum and danced to the early hours to the sounds of “itchy Feet”.
“They really were perfect conditions for us. Amazing race, incredible boats, we will be back next year for sure!” Mathew Barker, The Blue Peter.
L o r o P I a n a S u p e r y a c h t
R e g a t t a & R e n d e z v o u s ,
V i r g i n G o r d a B V I 9 -12 M a r c h 2 0 1 6
They raced, they partied, they instagrammed. It could only be The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous now in its 5th edition. A heady combination of fashion, super yachts and rock star sailors due to the collaboration between Yacht Club Costa Esmeralda (YCCS), Boat International Media, Oil Nut Bay and headline sponsor luxury fashion house Loro Piana. It is social paradise!
Pier Luigi Loro Piana is a keen sailor and the family brand now owned by the leading luxury group LVMH bring glamour and front row gravitas to the BVI’s. the unspoilt beauty of the location, Italian hospitality imported directly from YCCS Porto Cervo and the fantastic sailing conditions in the North Sound guaranteed another truly memorable week for all 21 competing sailing super yachts. Winds were strong with gusts up to 24 knots , racing was close and thrilling under the ORC rating rule and the parties were epic.
The fleet ranged from Donald Tofias 23 metre modern classic W-Class Racing Yacht “Wild Horses” designed by Joel White and Built by Brooklin Boat Yard to the magnificent Hetarios (66.7 metres with bowsprit) designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and built by Baltic Yachts. Other modern classic contenders were Wendy Schmidt’s Elfje (52.36 metres) by royal huisman with interior styling by Redman whitely Dixon and the beautiful Atalante (38.8 metres) launched by Claasaen last year.
Class A saw Marco Vogele’s Inoui and Nilaya battle it out over the three days. There was close competition in class B between P2, Hetarios, and Ganesha with P2 taking first prize for her new owner. Class C saw a mighty battle raging between Bella Ragazza and ultimate winner Seahawk. Donald MacPherson’s Swan 90 Freya was the undisputed champion of Class D.
It was dutch boat 34 metre Nilaya, designed by Mario Pedol and built by Baltic Yachts that won Class A and The Loro Piana Prize: Boat International Media Trophy for the top scouring superyacht overall. Bouwe Bekking, rockstar tactician onboard Nilaya was happy with the result “ One of the best races of this year in the Caribbean”
The event is open to both sailing and motoryachts. American boat builder Westport sponsor the Westport Rendezvous which counted eight boats. they followed the racing, cruised in company , enjoyed fine dining and even had a scavenger hunt around The North Sound.
I helped found this event during my time as Events Director at Boat International Media so am immensely proud of its growing notoriety both on and off the water!
“A great 3 day event! The Loro Piana Superyacht regatta & Rendezvous is one of the premier events of the Caribbean race season. Great competitors, incredible sailing, the turning marks are solid rock islands! Plenty of wind this year too. Exciting finishes. Yachting was definitely the winner in the british virgin islands!” Owner, Wild Horses, Donald Tofias,
RESTAURANTS T O G O B Y B O A T
Dock stern to at YCCS Marina and enjoy the homemade linguini (made fresh daily by their Italian chef) with Anegada lobster and peppers at The YCCS Club House and from the bar the Mango Bellini. Whilst a tender ride away at Oil Nut Bay guests can enjoy their specialty stone-baked pizzas and cocktails at the swim up bar.
W H A T T O F O L L O W
St Barths Bucket March 17 – 20
The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta – April 13 -19
Palma Vela – May 04 – 08
A complete Regatta calendar is available to download at alicewiddows.com
W H O T O W A T C H
Spotted! Tim Rutter, owner of the Herreshoff NY 40 Marilee (1926) sailing on board the Swan Freya at The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous.
P I E C E S T O P A C K
Bikinis are de rigueur in the Islands. This American Brand sauvage rosa d o’oro buckle bikini coral will ensure the ladies make a style statement on the dock and is perfect for a glamorous day in the sun. madlo&co.com Price €102, excluding shipping.
J O I N T H E C L U B
Race Ready and enjoying a recent price cut, the J – Class Endeavour (39.56 metres) is available for a steal at €17,500.000. Considered one of the finest racing yachts of all time she was originally commissioned by Sir T.O.M Sopwith to challenge for the America’s Cup in 1934. Rebuilt in 1989 by Royal Huisman for Elizabeth Meyer she is a modern masterpiece. In 2011/2012 she was completely refitted. Lying Palma. What’s not to love. September racing at “Les Voiles de St Tropez” anyone?
Edmiston.com
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