By Abby Hacohen

The scenery was breathtaking and the action was heart-stopping at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta in April, where five Manhattan and Hermosa Beach residents and their teammates took on international competitors while racing in a 1939 restored schooner. The team, comprised of sailors ranging from novice to expert, ultimately took third place in their class.

The 30th anniversary of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta brought together classic, vintage and traditional yachts for a 4-day race out of the English Harbor port in Antigua.

The Beach Cities team competed on the 115-ft Eros, owned by Manhattan Beach local Cameron Riddell. Riddell's teammates included Rich Snyder, Gordon Cook, and Richie Tatum of Manhattan Beach; Scott Rosen of Hermosa Beach; Ron Perkins of Newport Beach; John Snyder of Portland, Oregon; and John Turner of Denver, Colorado.

The team raced hard by day, reaching speeds of 12 knots under ideal wind conditions, bonding through teamwork and the quick mastery of sailing skills. On board, each participant was given a job, with the crew guiding and filling in where needed. There were two staysail teams, a jib team, a mainsail team, a tactician, a captain, and a first mate.

The experience proved extraordinary and thrilling for all, with new acquaintances quickly morphing into old friends, bonded by the shared energy of jockeying Eros into position at top speed amid so many other classic yachts.

In the evenings, the camaraderie continued with nightlife ashore as regatta participants connected over beers, networking, and touring some of sailing’s finest yachts.

“While we didn't win the race, we all felt like winners having forged lasting friendships,” said team member Gordon Cook. 

Local Scott Rosen concurred: “My week on Eros during the Antigua regatta was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had.”

The Eros bears a fascinating history. It was built in England before WWII, and was rumored to have assisted in the auspicious evacuation at Dunkirk. It later became the private yacht of Greek shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos, and hosted the King and Queen of Spain on their honeymoon in 1962.

Now beautifully restored and modernized, the 115-ft Eros is available for vacation and regatta charters in the Caribbean & New England. For more information, visit www.sy-eros.com