On the 27th of April, 2006 the IKRA II crew of 19 once more descended upon English Harbour for their annual pilgrimage to Antigua Sailing Week, intent on bringing home at least one piece of silverware. With a few new faces to bolster the foredeck team, our larger-than-life Captain "Richard Stubbs" was quietly confident of improving on last years 10th Position.

A couple of days of intense training ironed out some rustiness and the team were in a bullish mood going into the first race.   All crewmembers had a curfew of twelve and the majority obeyed the captain's wishes. For the first and last time of the week, everyone was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the opening race of the week.   The course took us round from English Harbour up to Dickinson Bay, where we would be greeted by a huge mile-long beach party. Our reconnaissance had shown that the biggest dangers in our class would be 'Southern Dream' and 'Spirit of the North'.   After a very satisfactory start, we finally came in third behind the two of them. Celebrating being third over the line, we descended upon Dickinson Bay "en force" and enjoyed a memorable evening that was based on plenty of Rum Punch, Wadadli, Burgers and dancing.

There were certainly less bright eyes and no bushy tails the next morning, but this did not stop the crew producing their performance of the week.   After what can only be described as 'the perfect start', team IKRA scooted off to a resounding victory and finished a full five minutes in front of the rest of the fleet.   However, due to the handicapping system, we were demoted to third place.   This did not dampen team spirits and a thoroughly enjoyable evening at Jolly Harbour ensued with a few members losing more than they bargained for at the casino.

The next day's sailing did not quite go according to plan; this could be put down to either the wind or the fact that the majority of the crew were gearing up for the most important day of the week, Lay Day.   It was all immaterial in the end as the race was cancelled due to several yachts protesting the Committee Boat who they considered had not properly posted the course amendments. The decision was overturned again on the last after a protest by the yachts which had sailed the right course.

As soon as docking had been successfully negotiated in Nelson's Dockyard, everyone made their way to Pigeon Beach for the infamous Mount Gay Rum Party.   On arrival at the venue, the only sight to be seen was a sea of Red Caps and Rum Punches being guzzled by the thousands.   We all readily joined in the activity and it was inevitable that several hours and various games later, everyone was rather worse for wear.   With the knowledge that we had the next day to recover, the majority of the crew crawled their way to Abracadabra where fools were made of all.   There were very few early risers the following morning but, being gluttons for punishment, everyone set off back to Pigeon Beach for more games including a Tug of War, Beach Cricket and the Wet Tee shirt Competition.

Never one to miss an opportunity to win a prize, our revered Captain entered two crewmembers for the Wet Tee Shirt Competition... including his own daughter!   The outcome was a very respectable second and third, just losing out on first place to a rather buxom Antiguan.

With the rest day under their belts, the crew were ready the next morning to show the opposition a clean pair of heels in the South Coast race. With Captain Richard at the helm, assisted by John Mcmonigall up wind helm, John Saunders navigating and the imposing four Toms on the grinders, Ikra II got off to yet another flying start and once more were the first to cross the finishing line, mainly thanks to having Janies local sea knowledge. Dinner that evening was served at the scrumptious Red Lobster Café and Johnny Mac introduced us to the very catchy IRKA BLUES which swiftly became the Boat's Anthem.

The next day was to be the last race of the week. However, the wind was close to non-existent and the fastest yacht seen all day was actually going backwards.   Such conditions were certainly not in our favour and after three and a half hours of sailing (or floating), the skipper decided to pack in and take an early shower... a decision that   cost us third place in our class.   Despite this, a piece of silverware still made its way back to The Barn House thanks to IKRA II winning the the best performance in fleet for a yacht over 20 years old!!

Most importantly everyone had a very enjoyable and memorable week and many thanks must be made to Richard & Julia Stubbs for making it all possible.