Caribbean Canter Rally 2010
Event Dates
From 19 Apr 2010 until 03 May 2010
Antigua Sailing Week is incorporated into the more relaxed rally format of the Caribbean Canter. Antigua Sailing week is now the largest regatta of its type in the world with more than 200 yachts competing, with 1,500 participants and 5,000 spectators. It is certain to be a spectacle on the water - and the parties ashore are not for the faint hearted either!
The rally will sail one way from Point-a-Pitre on the French Island of Guadeloupe to St Martin. There are many flight itineraries with several airlines available, which means there are some great stopover opportunities en route to and from the Caribbean, so you can extend your holiday for as long as you like!
Monday April 19
Transfer to the marina for embarkation and then spend the night on board in the marina after the welcome function.
Tuesday April 20
Cruise to Iles Des Saintes off the south coast of Guadeloupe, once a French prison colony but today a very relaxed mainly Gallic community as when the penal status of the island ended the inmates all decided to stay - definitely worth a visit then! The main town of Bourg Des Saintes offers an opportunity to sample a unique cuisine, while there are several very isolated beaches on the three islands that make up the group.
Wednesday April 21
Lay day in Des Saintes or cruise up the west coast of Guadeloupe to Deshaies at your own pace.
Thursday April 22 - Lay Day Cruise to Deshaies
Pronounced Day-Hay, Deshaies is a picturesque fishing village near the north east corner of Guadeloupe. If the weather is calm we suggest a lunch stop on the way at the underwater park named after the famous French marine explorer Jacques Cousteau. Deshaies is set in a deep, well protected bay surrounded by hills and mountains.
Friday April 23 - Race 1 - Deshaies to Antigua
The start time for the race will be determined by the strength of the breeze and if it is light we`ll shorten the course and have a rolling start. After arrival at English Harbour we`ll have our own evening presentation, dinner and \"Jump Up\" at Shirley Heights. Shirley Heights has an amazing view overlookingNelson\'s Dockyard and Falmouth Harbour, and the Caribbean steel drum band is sure to keep the party going well into the night.
Saturday April 24 - Lay Day in Antigua
Wander through Nelson`s Dockyard in English Harbour before moving around to Falmouth Harbouryou may anchor off Pigeon Beach in and prepare for the infamous Mt. Gay Rum party.
Sunday April 25 - Race 2 - Dickenson Bay Race
Last year the end point for the race was Fort James but the program for Antigua Race Week 2010 has not yet been released. Wherever the race finishes there will be a party on the shore featuring the food stalls, live music and revelry which accompanies all the Antigua Race Week parties.
Monday April 26 - Race 3 - To St Kitts
Abbreviated from St Christopher (Columbus), St Kitts is a green and pleasant island mostly covered in rainforest. Our function will be held in Basseterre, the capital and the site of the original French settlement in St Kitts. It is a charming old town, built along the waterfront with architecture that varies from solid British to fancy French.
Tuesday April 27 - Lay Day in St Kitts
Wednesday April 28 - Lay Day Cruise to Nevis
Nevis is just a few miles from St Kitts so we will take a leisurely cruise to this once busy sugar producing island. Some of the grand old manor houses of the plantation owners still exist and are now restaurants. Famous for its cloud capped mountain, which reminded Columbus of snow as he passed by in 1492, Nevis is today an independent nation together with St Kitts.
Thursday April 29 - Lay Day Cruise up to St. Eustatia
Eustatia is a small Dutch protectorate just north of St. Kitts where they still use the Old Dutch Florin as currency. It`s a tiny settlement and very shut off from the outside world so that all visitors to the community you attract immediate attention.
Friday April 30 - Race 4 - St. Eustatia to St Barts
Properly named St Barthelemy the island is still a \"Department\" of France but the capital named Gustavia suggests a more Northern European influence at some time in history. In fact in 1784 it was sold to Sweden in exchange for some Northern European port access! These days St. Barts is the favoured spot for the well to do \"in crowd\" from France, seasoned with a sprinkling of acting, singing and sports stars.
Saturday May 1 - Lay Day - St Barts
With excellent beaches and a host of very chic restaurants St Barts can be an \"up-market\" experience but the highlight might still be watching the planes land on the tiny airport runway, which skims the main road and runs straight down a hill to the sea. Shop, hire a car, or watch the frigate birds fishing along the cliffs of the north coast, but above all relax, you`re on holiday!
Sunday May 2 - Race 5 - St Barts to St Martin
St Martin or St Martaan has been successfully shared by the French and the Dutch for 350 years although there are distinct cultural differences between the two sides of the island. The island has wholeheartedly embraced tourism and is awash with casinos, condominiums, hotels, nightclubs and bars. We`ll have our final night gig at Captain Oliver`s on the water front for an unforgettable last party!
Monday May 3
Disembark in St Martin and transfer to the airport for your departure flight or to the hotel if you are extending your stay on the unique island paradise of St Martin.
Check out our charter yachts in the Caribbean and we can tailor make your very own perfect Caribbean cruise!
More information about chartering a yacht in a ral
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London:
+44 (0)20 7193 5450
Cannes:
+33 (0)9 70 46 39 79
Athens:
+30 21 11 981 792
+44 (0)20 7193 5450
Cannes:
+33 (0)9 70 46 39 79
Athens:
+30 21 11 981 792
