On Saturday, October 18th, Channel Sailing took part in the iconic Antwerp Race: a regatta that draws over 120 yachts racing toward the Antwerp roadstead. This time, we sailed not with a semi-professional crew, but with Channel Sailing skippers, most of whom had never raced before. And yet… what a day!
🛥️ Cyclone: a charter yacht with racing spirit
Our boat for the race was Cyclone, a Dufour 44 Performance from our charter fleet. Not a pure racer, but a cruiser with a performance edge. We wanted to show that charter yachts and their skippers can compete seriously, and not just trail behind.
🏁 Starting in Terneuzen, finish nearly in reach
Our start was scheduled for 9:15 AM in Terneuzen. Forecasts predicted a light southeast breeze, meaning lots of upwind legs and tactical sailing. After a short spinnaker run toward Breskens, we rounded the first buoy and began the 40-mile stretch to Antwerp.
More than 40 tacks later, with eyes constantly scanning for wind, current, and clean air, we held our own in the CR1 class, the largest of the race with 33 boats.
⏱️ Finish missed, but proud nonetheless
After over five and a half hours of intense sailing, we reached the finish buoy… just a bit too late. The line closed at 3 PM sharp, and like 22 of the 33 boats in our class, we didn’t make it in time.
Still, we proved that Channel Sailing has the boats and the know-how to compete. Virtually, we were still in the top half of our class, a strong result with a charter boat and a rookie crew.
🌟 Want to race with us?
Our Antwerp Race entry is an open invitation: come sail with us in future races. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sailor, Channel Sailing offers the chance to learn, grow, and experience the thrill of competition.
📅 Save the date: Saturday, September 26th, 2026 — time for a rematch!
(c) Pictures Pit De Jonge
