MARIELLA WINS IN ANTIGUA

Monday 22 April 2013 Final Report from the Inaugural The Inn Challenge Trophy, Louay Habib     The first name to be engraved on the fine Italian silver Inn Challenge Trophy is Carlo Falcone's Mariella. The legendary 79ft ketch successfully defended the Mariella Challenge in the match race with Robert Fabre's 42ft Ketch, Vagabundo II. At nearly twice the length ofVagabundo II, Mariella was given a handicap of over 10 minutes an hour to her smaller rival. Victory for Mariella. Susanna and Enzo Addari, owners of The Inn at English Harbour present young Rocco Falcone with The Inn Challenge Trophy and Carlo Falcone holds the exquisite Lalique Victoire figurehead keepsake for winning the first edition of the regatta in Antigua Credit: The Inn Challenge Trophy © 2013 - J Rainey / tropicalstudios.com The final race of The Mariella Challenge for The Inn Challenge Trophy started in Rendezvous Bay with 15 knots of easterly breeze on Thursday 18th April. Vagabundo II judged the start to perfection and headed inshore to seek an advantage, but was soon overhauled byMariella. The first beat up to English Harbour went well for Vagabundo II, but the smaller ketch could not keep up with Mariella and at English Harbour mark, Vagabundo II was eight minutes behind Mariella. However, Vagabundo II, looking splendid after her refit at Antigua Slipway, managed to hoist a spinnaker for the first reaching leg and also the second to keep the team in with a chance of beating Mariella on corrected time. The Vagabundo II crew should be applauded for excellent boat handling. As the match race was coming to a conclusion, a squall darkened the horizon, just as Mariella was approaching the finish, the blustery shower caused Mariella to double tack, adding precious minutes to their finish time. Vagabundo II had benefited from using a squall in the Challenger Race, the previous day, but as Vagabundo II came onto the wind for the last leg, the squall had passed and behind it there was little wind. Mariella made her time and won by just a few minutes after time correction. Carlo Falcone's Mariella - Credit: The Inn Challenge Trophy © 2013 - J Rainey / tropicalstudios.com After racing, a Prize Giving was held on The Terrace at The Inn at English Harbour and guest of honour, Hon. John Maginley, Minister of Tourism for Antigua & Barbuda opened the proceedings: "Yachting is a very important to Antigua and I am delighted that The Inn and my good friend Carlo Falcone have come together to organise this new event and we hope that the success of this first event will establish itself as one of the many yachting events in Antigua & Barbuda,"commented the Hon. John Maginley. Mr & Mrs Addari, owners of The Inn at English Harbour presented Carlo Falcone with The Inn Challenge Trophy and a keepsake for the first edition of the regatta, the exquisite Lalique Victoire figurehead. As runner up in the final, Vagabundo II received a barrel of English Harbour Antigua Rum, courtesy of Premier Beverages, presented by Mauro Pellaschier, the skipper of the 1983 America's Cup boat Azzurra and also the prize for winning the Challenge Race: a weekend stay at The Inn at English Harbour. Carlo Falcone accepted the winner's prize accompanied by his youngest son, Rocco who will be representing Antigua in the Optimist World Championship later this year in Lake Garda, Italy: "Rocco is the future of sailing in Antigua and I thought it right that he accepts the Trophy for this new event. I hope that next year many more classic yachts will take the Mariella Challenge. Mariella is an Antiguan yacht and it is right that the first defender was from here," explained Carlo Falcone who then invited all of the competing skippers to join him on the podium. Fabio Giorgi, The Inn at English Harbour's General Manager was delighted with the achievement of The Inn Challenge Trophy: "The race was tough with the challenging weather conditions for this inaugural event. Due to its success we are eager to begin preparations for next year's Challenge and to make this an important date in the Caribbean sailing calendar. The prize giving ceremony at our Terrace restaurant ensured it was a memorable, elegant and stylish occasion." Gianluca 'Lillo' Mazzetti, Marketing Manager at The Inn at English Harbour was quick to praise the supporters of the new classic sailing event: "I would like to thank all of the people who made this event so successful, especially Carlo Falcone for agreeing to The Mariella Challenge, Antigua Yacht Club Marina for excellent race management, Kenny Coombs, Chairman of Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, the International Jury Pat Bailey and Antigua Slipway. Without their support the event could not have happened. Congratulations to the crew of Mariella and also well done to Vagabundo II for sailing so well in the final. Also to The Blue Peter and Dione for their support and best of luck to them next year! We hope that the next edition will have more classic yachts to take up the Mariella Challenge and enjoy the hospitality of The Inn at English Harbour." Elizabeth Jordan, Commodore of Antigua Yacht Club was also delighted that Antigua has another notable event to add to its yachting calendar and looks forward to welcoming sailors to the Inn Challenge Trophy in 2014.    Racing continues in Antigua with the 26th edition of Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and The Inn at English Harbour would like to wish everybody involved fair sailing and great fun ashore. For more information about The Inn at English Harbour: www.theinn.ag Our thanks also to J Rainey/Tropical Studios http://tropicalstudios.com, Premier Beverages http://www.premierbev.biz and Antigua Slipway www.antiguaslipway.com for helping make the event such a success. ENDS/...  Left to right: Susanna and Enzos Addari, owners of The Inn at English Harbour, Rocco Falcone (son of Carlo) holds The Inn Challenge Trophy, Mauro Pellaschier, skipper of the '83 America's Cup boat Azzurra, Carlo Falcone holds the the exquisite Lalique Victoire figurehead, a keepsake for the first edition of the regatta, Mat Barker owner of The Blue Peter, Gianluca 'Lillo' Mazzetti, Robbie Fabre owner of Vagabundo II with the barrel of English Harbour Antigua Rum, courtesy of Premier Beverages - Credit: The Inn Challenge Trophy © 2013 - J Rainey / tropicalstudios.com Mariella powering through the waves - Credit: The Inn Challenge Trophy © 2013 - J Rainey / tropicalstudios.com Start of the final race for The Inn Challenge Trophy, Mariella vs Vagabundo II - Credit: The Inn Challenge Trophy © 2013 - J Rainey / tropicalstudios.com Vagabundo II and Mariella - Credit: The Inn Challenge Trophy © 2013 - J Rainey / tropicalstudios.com The Skipper's Briefing - Credit: The Inn Challenge Trophy © 2013 - J Rainey / tropicalstudios.com Vagabundo II owned by Robbie Fabre - Credit: The Inn Challenge Trophy © 2013 - J Rainey / tropicalstudios.com Mariella - Credit: The Inn Challenge Trophy © 2013 - J Rainey / tropicalstudios.com Mariella - Credit: The Inn Challenge Trophy © 2013 - J Rainey / tropicalstudios.com Mariella and Vagabundo II - Credit: The Inn Challenge Trophy © 2013 - J Rainey / tropicalstudios.com

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The Challenger is decided

 The Inn at English Harbour/Louay Habib

The Inn Challenge Trophy started today with a race to decide who will take up the Mariella Challenge, a match race against Carlo Falcone’stunning 79ft ocean going classic

Yacht racing is never straight forward, maybe that is the one of the really great attractions of the sport; you never really know what is going to happen. Antigua is blessed with a superb sailing climate, warm Trade Winds and beautiful ocean but when it rains in the tropics it can be torrential. However, even under difficult conditions, the race management team from Antigua Yacht Club Marina produced a first class racecourse for the windward leeward race, outside English Harbour with the finish line in full view of The Inn, one of Antigua’s most exclusive resorts. However, the luxury afforded to guests of The Inn was not evident on today’s racecourse.

Turning the sky pewter grey and the water black as ink, two viscous squalls had a major impact on the winner of the race. Three beautiful classic yachts braved strong winds and torrential rain. The crews were soaked to the skin and trying to maintain control on slippery wooden decks, hauling huge sails by hand, was backbreaking work.

Mathew Barker’s 1930’s British classic, The Blue Peter, helmed by Italian Mauro Pellaschier, helmsman for Azzurra in the historic 1983 America’s Cup, got away well to lead on the water, however having the highest handicap of the fleet, The Blue Peter needed to win the race by a considerable margin. The Blue Peter extended on the fleet on the first upwind leg and even more so, after turning downwind outside English Harbour. By the time the leading yacht had reached the Windward mark off Curtain Bluff, she was in a commanding position.

The beautiful German owned Fife, Dione designed and built in 1912 was the oldest yacht in the race and had sailed over 5000 miles from Buenos Aires to take part in Antigua Classic Regatta next week. Shortly after the start, Dione tried to change her headsail to a Jibtop and it all went wrong, when gear failure took away the option. Under reduced sail, Dione was severely handicapped.

Vagabundo II, the 1945 British owned ketch designed by German Frers Snr. was looking slow inshore but the beautiful yacht was unable to tack out because Dione was covering her. However as Dione slowed down with their difficulties, Vagabundo II seized the opportunity to sail past their opponents. Dione fought back, catching up with Vagabundo II on the water, but was well behind on handicap.

The last leg of the Challenge Race was to prove decisive, Vagabundo II knew they had to make up time on The Blue Peter and they were not going to do that by just following the leader. Before another almighty squall fresh filled in from the east, Antiguan tactician, Karl James sailing on board Vagabundo II called the move, tacking further offshore to get to the right of the bitter weather.

The Blue Peter continued on and just before the brutal squall hit The Blue Peter was becalmed. Then a massive shift in wind direction affected their progress to the finish.

 The Inn at English Harbour/Louay Habib

The squall was the savior for Vagabundo II, as the violent breeze filled in, the yacht was lifted towards the finish, making up considerable time on their opponents and after time correction Vagabundo II was declared the winner by just over 2 minutes, winning a complimentary weekend stay at The Inn at English Harbour.

Vagabundo II was lovingly restored by its owner, in England and had a major refit and The Antigua Slipway, in preparation for the Caribbean season.

On Thursday, 18^th April Vagabundo II will race Mariella for The Inn Challenge Trophy in a winner-takes-all final. Antigua Yacht Club Marina will once again expertly manage the racecourse.

The winner of The Mariella Challenge will keep the magnificent Rene Lalique crystal Victoire and will also have the honour of being the first name to be engraved on The Inn Challenge Trophy.

For more information about The Inn at English Harbour

www.theinn.ag

A CLASSICAL DREAM COMES TO LIFE

PREVIEW: THE INN CHALLENGE TROPHY  by Louay Habib   1st EDITION - 16-18 April 2013, Antigua  16 April 2013   A CLASSICAL DREAM COMES TO LIFE The glorious Lalique Crystal, Inn Challenge Trophy 2013 The Inn at English Harbour, is one of the finest and most exclusive boutique resorts in the Caribbean and its owner Enzo Addari has a dream which is about to become a reality. The Inn Challenge Trophy Race will take place for the first time on Thursday 18th May 2013. "Enzo's dream was to have an America's Cup style race with Classic yachts and I have developed this idea, which has finally evolved into this event," explained Lillo Mazzetti. "For the America's Cup style we needed a defender and Carlo Falcone's beautiful Mariella is perfect for this. The 79ft William Fife was built in 1936 and is one of the most famous yachts in the world, having competed in Classic Yacht Racing on both sides of the Atlantic over the last 75 years and we have had a fantastic response from classic yachts that want to take up the challenge." Magnificent yachts have answered the call to become the Challenger to Mariella including; The Blue Peter (1929), Vagabundo II (1944) and Dione (1912). Juno (2001) and Mary Rose (1925) are expected to take up the challenge, once they have arrived in Antigua. The Challenger for The Inn Trophy will be selected from a race to take place on Wednesday 17th April 2013. The winner of the challenge race will be given a complimentary weekend stay at The Inn at English Harbour. The match race for The Inn Trophy will take place between the Defender, Mariella and the winner of The Challenge Race on Thursday 18th April 2013. The race will start in Rendezvous Bay, upwind to a mark off Fort Charlotte, then a downwind leg to Curtain Bluff and a beat to finish, just outside English Harbour. Carlo Falcone's Mariella, the 79ft William Fife defender was built in 1936 The Inn Challenge Trophy made from Italian silver will be unveiled at The Skipper's Briefing on Tuesday 16th April. This trophy will be engraved with the winner's name and be kept on permanent display at The Inn at English Harbour. However, the winner of the match will receive a glorious Lalique Crystal winner's trophy to keep and the runner up a barrel of English Harbour Rum. "I am an passionate collector of works of art by Rene Lalique and the Victoire Trophy comes from Monte Carlo. It has been chosen to typify the event; the flowing hair of the female form personifies the beauty and grace of the classic yacht and is a fitting memento of this wonderful occasion. We hope The Inn Challenge will flourish and become an important classic yacht race in the Caribbean," said Enzo Addari. The inaugural Inn Challenge Trophy will be presented on the terrace at The Inn at English Harbour at an exclusive cocktail party on 18th April. For more information about The Inn at English Harbour: www.theinn.ag Timetable of Events Skippers' Briefing at The Inn - 1800 16th April Challenger Race start - 1200 17th April The Inn Challenge Trophy Race - 1400 18th April Prize Giving at The Inn - 1800 18th April