ONDECK

Global sailing, training and events company Ondeck are currently making plans for a bigger and better Antigua Sailing Week for 2011. As Gold Sponsor and the preferred yacht charter provider for the event, Ondeck has just entered ten yachts from 37 to 65 feet with the intention of adding more as bookings continue to come in.

Ondeck offers sailors and non-sailors the opportunity of racing on a broad range of user-friendly and more technical racing yachts. From the popular Beneteau 40.7, the more lively Farr 40 and the mighty Farr 65, Ondeck offers something for everyone, either with or without professional a skipper and crew. Unlike many charter companies, Ondeck has individual places available at all the major Caribbean regattas to underline the company ethos of making the sport accessible to as many people as possible.

Simon Hedley, Ondeck’s business development manager based in Cowes, England commented:  “After Cowes Week, Antigua Sailing Week is our biggest event each year and we are pleased to have seen continual growth in charter sales at this hugely popular event year on year for the past four years. This regatta gets a huge focus from us given our large presence and passion for the event. The 2011 running will be my fifth attendance and I can’t wait to get back out there to see the improvements that will be implemented based on competitor and visitor feedback.”

Chairman of Ondeck, Pete Anthony went on to say:  “Having our base in Antigua all year round means that Ondeck is able to look after each and every charter guest to the highest possible standards. We work closely with the organisers and other supporting sponsors to help make the best of the week for all involved. We are looking forward to welcoming our friends from Chivas Regal aboard to race and entertain again this year and will be flying the flag for Virgin Atlantic Airways, Ondeck’s airline sponsor during the event.”

As well as being the preferred charter provider, Ondeck is also the official merchandiser for Antigua Sailing Week and will be supplying an extensive and exciting range of leisure and technical sailing gear as well as souvenirs and professional event photography care of internationally-renowned marine photographer Paul Wyeth of www.pwpictures.com. Whilst Ondeck will be retailing from its hospitality tent in Nelson’s Dockyard during the week, individual items and a full range of team branded kit can be pre-ordered by visiting www.ondeckoceanracing.com/gear.

For those really wanting to do a serious amount of varied sailing, Ondeck’s fleet of Farr 65 ocean racing yachts will leave just after Sailing Week for a 1,200 mile cruise up to its base in South Carolina before embarking on the Charleston to Bermuda Race. Immediately after this race, the yachts will make their way across the Atlantic to Portsmouth (England), stopping off at the Azores on the way where the yachts spend the summer months. Within a few weeks you could race in a world famous Caribbean regatta, cruise, take part in a major offshore race and then go on to sail across the Atlantic!

Article written by Simon Hedley.
Photos © Paul Wyeth.