The Antigua Yacht club invites you to compete in its inaugural RS ELITE Cup in Falmouth Harbour over the weekend of Jan /17 – Jan /18 2026 The Organising Authority will be the Antigua Yacht Club located at the AYC premises in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua.
Abbreviations - RSC – RS Elite Cup CSA – Caribbean Sailing Association RRS – Racing Rules of Sailing NOR – Notice of Race OA – Organising Authority SI’s – Sailing Instructions AYC – Antigua Yacht Club RO - Race Officer
1.0 Rules 1.1 The event will be governed by the current rules as defined in RRS 1.2 The event will be open to all RS Elite yachts complying to class rules of the RS class association and will race as one-design on same rating. The event will be sailed NON SPINNAKER. Whisker pole will be allowed. 1.3 If any other small one design wishes to participate the OA will consider including them in the regatta if they can muster a minimum of three (3) entrants. 1.4 The RS Elite class will comply with the rules of the RS Elite class association. Note – The OA can amend this rule at their discretion if they think it is in the interests of the event. Any other non RS Elite boats taking part will comply with the current CSA rules including rating All boats will have a minimum crew of two (2) persons on board during racing. 1.5 Safety – all boats will carry safety gear as stated in addendum below. Lifejackets must be on board and may be required to be worn at the RO’s discretion.
2.0 Schedule – Racing will take place at a venue in the Falmouth Harbour / Harbour mouth environs on Saturday 17/Jan and Sunday 18/Jan. A schedule of 7 races will be planned for the event. Day 1 – the first start will be at 2.00 pm Lunch at 12 noon Day 2 – the first start will be at 10.30 am Lunch at 12 noon See full Programme in SI document Races will run consecutively on a rolling start basis. There will be a shore break for lunch each day. Starting Procedure will be in accordance with the SI’s still to be published. Registration may be done in advance by contact (in person, telephone, or email) with the AYC office or in person at the Skipper’s Briefing. AYC Office 460 1799
3.0 Skipper’s Briefing – there will be a skipper’s briefing at the upper deck AYC on Friday 16/Jan at 6 pm. and also published on line by email to entrants unable to attend.
4.0 Sailing Instructions – will be available at the Skipper’s Briefing and on line at AYC website a minimum of 24 hours prior to the first start and on skipper email addresses.
5.0 Fees – Entry Fees for the event will be $EC 250 per boat. Payment in full will be required prior to taking part in the event.
6.0 Advertising – Other than any logo representing the Official Sponsors no other advertising will be permitted without advance approval of the OA, which, on request, may or may not be given. 7.0 Courses – Will be around existing harbor buoys and / or laid marks as specified in SI’s. and as displayed prior to start. Windward / Leeward and Olympic Triangle types will be used Races of 30 – 45 mins. are envisaged
8.0 Penalty System – will be in accordance with RRS . The two turn penalty will be replaced by a one turn penalty. The OA may also award any penalty they see fit for any breach of the rules or of etiquette and fair sailing, or for any other reason as allowed in RRS.
9.0 Protests – Will be in accordance with RRS and will be heard by a local Antigua Jury as soon as possible at the end of each day’s racing. Protests must be submitted in writing within 30 mins. of the RO arriving on shore. A locally selected Jury will hear protests. The Jury decision will be final.
10.0 Scoring –Will be in accordance with RRS Appendix A low point system. Amended as follows - Discards will be allowed as follows – 0- 4 races – all races to count 5 pus races – one discard Appendix rule A 5.3will apply
11.0 Media Rights –By participating in this event, competitors grant to the OA and the event sponsors the right, in perpetuity, to make use and show, at their discretion, any photography, audio, and video recordings, and other production of them and/or their boat made at the venue or on the water from time of their arrival until final departure, without compensation.
12.0 Risk Statement – Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See RRS 3, Decision to Race. The OA will not accept any liability for material damage or personal, injury, or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the event
13.0 Insurance – Each participating boat shall make her own insurance arrangements. Any yacht found guilty for damage to persons or to another yacht shall be responsible for any costs arising.
14.0 Prizes – Will be awarded according to the number of entrants in each class. Championship trophy points (double points) will be awarded to the boats of the RS elite class which will count towards the national champion RS Elite for 2026. Other qualifying regattas will be – JHYC Club Regatta /November - (no participants) AYC Hightide Regatta/ December - (no participants) JHYC Valentines regatta / February
The Prizegiving will Sunday 18/Jan at the upper deck of the AYC
15.0 Social - A social programme will be announced in due course --------------------------------------
Safety Addendum – All yachts must have on board – Lifejacket for each crew Member – to be worn when red flag is flying from Committee Boat Towing line min. 30’ x 10mm. dia Small bucket or bailer
