The 48-year old Apsara looking like new, ready for the 2005 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.

It all started last January in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela. Kaj (pronounced Kai) Huld and his wife Marla, who lived aboard their very traditional 1957 Danish ketch Apsara, asked my wife and I if we would be in Antigua in mid April for the Antigua Yacht Club Classic Yacht Regatta, and would we be interested in skippering their boat. Although they had spent years restoring the beautiful 38-foot wooden ketch and had sailed her all the way from the East coast and through the eastern Caribbean, they had little hands-on racing experience. Our plan was to have our own boat Viva in Antigua at that time, and with over 40 years racing experience, I was eager to finally sail in this well-renowned regatta. In previous years, I had crewed during Antigua Race Week but had participated in the Classic Yacht Regatta solely as a spectator.

This is without a doubt one of the most impressive in-the-water boat shows you will ever attend as these classic, traditional yachts arrive from all over the world to participate. In the past, we have strolled the docks at Antigua Yacht Club where all the boats are berthed, and then watched the races by dinghy or from the hills above Falmouth Harbor, overlooking the racecourse. However, no matter how close you get, it just isn't the same as being on one of the boats.

The Regatta Committee has some very definite ideas on what constitutes a classic yacht and if you will be allowed to enter. All entries should have a full keel, be moderate to heavy displacement, built of wood or steel and have a traditional rig and appearance--you can even enter your ferro-cement cruiser as long as it’s gaff or schooner rigged. There is also a division for modern classics, built on the lines of a classic but built and rigged using modern materials and techniques. Your request to enter also includes underwater and rig drawings as well as photographs of the vessel and the Committee makes the final decision.

In addition to three days of racing, the regatta includes a single-handed race, a Concours dâ Elegance, gig racing and of course multiple happy-hours and social events spread throughout the English Harbor/Falmouth Harbor area.

Kaj and Marla arrived on Apsara a few days before the regatta. In a burst of enthusiasm Kaj had entered the single-handed race, the Concours, and the gig race, in addition to the three-day regatta. We planned to spend a couple of hours out on the course beforehand to get the feel of the boat and soon learned that Apsara was easily handled by the four of us. With the full-keeled ketch rig, jib and staysail, Kaj and Marla have been able to sail Apsara for hundreds of miles without ever touching the helm. The little ketch is traditional in every sense, from bowsprit, pushpit, bronze fittings, hand-spliced standing rigging and four little single-action ratchet winches. The boat was gleaming as it arrived in English Harbor with a fresh paint job and sparkling bright work--obviously a labor of love.

As the race draws closer, all competitors are given free berthing at the Antigua Yacht Club marina, which makes for a spectators delight as the public is allowed to stroll the docks and gawk at this glittering array of beautifully restored yachts. As the Concours dâ Elegance judging approached on Friday morning, there is a lot of excitement on the docks amid a flurry of last minute scrubbing, varnishing, polishing and nail-biting. Apsara was awarded a fourth place in her class of self-maintained yachts and an honorable mention for her dinghy. When finished, these gorgeous yachts should really be placed in glass bottles, on display, never to be disturbed.

The action from on board the 135-foot J-Class yacht Ranger. Note the bow signaling to the helmsman--absent in the collision to come.

Saturday morning finally arrived with over 60 of these beauties heading for the starting line off Falmouth Harbor. The fleet this year included the two 135-foot J-Class yachts Velsheda and Ranger and the beautiful 150-foot ketch Windrose at the upper end, with a spectacular array of sloops, schooners, ketches, yawls both Marconi and gaff-rigged. At the skipper's briefing on Thursday, the participants have been reminded that this is a "Gentleman's Regatta" and to avoid any aggressive tactics that would endanger these expensively restored yachts, both on the starting line and at mark rounding. The regatta courses included multiple reaches with short windward legs, placing the emphasis on sailing rather than racing, without the tight quarters of other events. This of course makes for dramatic spectator viewing, but relieves many stresses on these hard-to-handle vintage yachts. Apsara was entered with eight boats in Classic Class D, and at 38 feet (31 feet on deck) was definitely one of the smallest boats, but our start included a larger class with vessels over 100 feet LOA. The Race Committee starts the smaller classes first, which not only relieves congestion in the starting area but also allows the boats to finish close together. The only drawback is that you are immediately overtaken by larger vessels and really have to keep an eye over your shoulder.

On the first two days, we had two clean starts at the weather end of the line and after a little sorting out finished 4th and 3rd. We knew that the weather legs were not our forte with the larger sloop-rigged boats in our class, and looked forward to the reaching legs where we could hold our own.

Going into the last reaching race on Monday, we only needed a third place to trophy, but definitely had a chance at winning if we finished first. We shot off the line again at the weather end for the best start of our regatta. With clear air, we were first in our class at the weather mark with lots of traffic approaching, but plenty of room for the jibe rounding.

In a split second, our race came to an abrupt end as we rounded the mark in 15-20 knots of wind and 6-to-8 foot seas asvwewere struck from behind by an overtaking 50 foot. schooner at 8.5 knots...Crrrrrunch! The force of the collision split the mizzenmast, which went overboard, cracked the bowsprit and mainmast and caused considerable damage to the cap rails, bulkheads and other structural damage. We had been so busy staying clear of yachts ahead and jibing around the mark that we didn't even see the schooner coming until the last second. Our first clue was a bowsprit slicing through our cockpit--it all happened so fast, there would not have been time or room to avoid him in any case.

Once the initial shock wore off and realized there were no injuries and that we were not sinking, it was time to clean up the debris. With a radio call to the committee boat, the Antigua Coast Guard and ABSAR rescue boat were on the scene in minutes. We soon had someone on board to help cut away the mizzen, which was retrieved by the Coast Guard and we were then able to motor the three miles back to the marina. Any skipper who has ever been involved in this type of collision knows the sickening punch-in-the-gut feeling of having his boat severely damaged, but for an owner, it has to be doubly traumatic after all the painstaking hours of planning, rebuilding and restoration of a traditional wooden boat.

Luckily, no one was hurt during the collision, but even a "Gentleman’s Race" has its risks.

Upon our return to the dock, things began to get a little ugly. The racing rules dictated that with this type of collision, a protest must be filed. Kaj and Marla were still in a state of shock and I realized that I would have to initiate and oversee the Protest since I was the skipper.

The owner of the overtaking yacht (who I will now refer to as the "weasel") went into a complete state denial and it was obvious he was not going admit guilt, attend a Protest Meeting or cooperate in any manner. He admitted to having insurance and claimed that he would supply a copy of his report to them, when it was filed. He refused to inspect our damage and felt that we were equally to blame because this was supposed to be a "Gentleman's Regatta" and that we were too "aggressive" by jibing in front of him after rounding the mark. Therefore, he would take care of his damage (a couple of small scratches on the hull) and we could take care of ours (approx. $75,000.00). Repairing Apsara was not going to be some quick resin, glass cloth and gel coat job; but instead a time-consuming woodworking project, including a trip to the States in search of proper seasoned wood. Thank you very much!

The basis for our Protest was International Sailing Federation Rule 18.2 (c) which specifies that "an overtaking yacht in the process of rounding a mark, must allow room for a yacht clear ahead to complete their jibe." After hearing our testimony and three witnesses, the weasel was held responsible for the collision and quickly disqualified.

After I notified him the following morning of the results, he really went ballistic, and behind everyone's back, petitioned the Yacht Club to rehear the Protest. He cited some small discrepancy in the procedures and the Regatta Committee in all fairness, agreed to his request. Of course, by this time our witnesses had departed but luckily, their written testimony was on file. This time around, there were four international judges and the weasel gave his own version of the mishap. During his testimony and that of his crewmember, it was ascertained that: 1) He was traveling at 8.5 knots, 2) He had no lookout on the bow approaching the mark and 3) He completely lost sight of Apsara for 15 seconds during his approach and rounding and 4) He did not have a clue in regard to the racing rules regarding mark roundings. Our contention had always been that we were full ahead on our way to the next mark with no obligation or cause to stay clear when we were struck. After politely listening to his testimony, the Protest Committee upheld the original protest and once again, the weasel was DSQ'd.

Her crew waylaid in Antigua for hurricane season, Apsara now awaits masts, bowsprit, cap rails and sampson post.

At this point, we discovered that his boat had been chartered for the regatta and that he had not even been at the helm during the collision. After a phone call to his insurance company in London, it was then learned that he had not filed a report or for that matter, even notified his company of the damages. By now, we were worried that the weasel might skip out and it was recommended that we contact a good maritime lawyer. Several prominent Antigua YC members supplied a name and the following morning we headed off to St. Johns. After hearing our testimony and reviewing the Protest decision, our attorney immediately filed an affidavit in court. That afternoon a Bailiff from the Customs Office "arrested" the weasel's boat until the matter could be "sorted out."

By that time, the wheels of justice started to accelerate. Since the weasel had another charter group arriving, it was imperative to get his boat released and he now decided to cooperate. After a copy of the protest, witness testimony and photos was sent to his insurance company, a surveyor and appraiser were dispatched, a settlement was reached and finally, a "check in the mail."

When the smoke all cleared, it was fortunate that the incident happened in Antigua under the auspices of a world-class yacht club event and protest committee; and the added bonus of good legal representation by an attorney who understood maritime law and yacht racing procedures. Kaj will oversee and handle much of the repair work himself and fortunately, Antigua has several good shipwrights and woodworking facilities, which should speed up the fabrication and repairs to this beautiful traditional yacht. They were obviously relieved at the outcome but it is easy to understand the anguish they experienced. After all, this was not only their home, but they were now stuck in Antigua for the next four to five months during hurricane season to complete the repair work. All in all, a pretty unpleasant introduction to the world of yacht racing! The trauma will remain for some time but Apsara is on the mend.