Adela Wins the Gosnell Trophy at the Antigua Superyacht Challenge | Yacht Racing News

visit the official results portal to verify Adela's Gosnell Trophy victory and read the evening briefing from the committee. everyone on the quay watched as hundreds joined the crowds for the start, and rounding became a focal point for the fleet. given the wind range and the size of the boats, the notes help readers follow the action from any vantage.

When the start gun fired, Adela's crew executed clean handling and kept the boat on a steady course. The rounding at the first mark tested the helm, as three different wind shifts forced quick sail changes. mike supervised the trim and kept the mainsail and jib in harmony, while the crew on deck went to work with calm communication and loud calls to coordinate shifts. The whole team went through the leg changes and pressed toward the next mark with confidence.

The hetairos approach across the Adela crew proved crucial: captain, navigator, and support roles fused into a single, focused unit. The whole team adjusted to the gusts by shifting weight and sail area, keeping the mainsheet steady and the skipper informed about every tactic. When the wind swung, the tactician shifted gear and the foredeck kept trimming, while the bow crew fed the next move with precise, crisp communication.

In addition to the performance, the addition of the post-race briefing highlighted practical lessons: handling, sail selection, and crew coordination. The committee summarized the day’s work, noting why Adela kept ahead under pressure. Hundreds of fans, plus guests, joined the celebration, and the loud cheers rang across the harbor as the Gosnell Trophy changed hands on stage.

If you plan to visit Antigua for next year’s race, start by booking a spot near the marina and signing up for official updates. When you arrive, visit the launch area early to observe the start and the rounding practices, then stay for the evening prize ceremony and the three-minute interviews that follow. This approach works well for everyone who wants to learn sail trim, crew work, and decision making, with practical takeaways you can apply to your own project.

Adela Wins the Gosnell Trophy – Antigua Superyacht Challenge Coverage

Read the official results: Adela earned the Gosnell Trophy after a tight inshore series sailed along antiguas waters. The 90ft vessel, designed by hjalmar namuun, delivered a steady nautical performance, kept momentum in light airs, and stayed afloat through rapid shifts. Onboard, arthur served as navigator and carl handled sail trim, and the crew worked through shifts to maintain speed and kept a true course.

With variable winds, the crew worked through a demanding schedule. The antiguas committee and organisers compiled the official tally, noting Adela's strong times on the south course and through the inshore legs. The global fleet watched as the score settled, given the blend of Namuun's design and the crew's discipline; this really shows how careful navigation and efficient sail handling pay off.

Dockside lights flickered as a coal-fired generator powered the briefing tent. The family of the crew celebrated ashore, and articles from the yachting press highlighted Namuun's design and the team's discipline. The service team prepared for debriefing, sharing practical notes on sail trim and vessel maintenance.

Adela's victory signals momentum for Antigua's yachting calendar. The global audience will follow upcoming articles detailing the vessel, the crew, and the local organisers.

Adela Wins the Gosnell Trophy at the Antigua Superyacht Challenge – There is no way around Pendennis

Recommendation: Align Adela's next phase with Pendennis' refit program to sustain speed and reliability across race days. The Gosnell Trophy win on the Antigua course confirms Pendennis' ability to convert line, sail, and deck discipline into results when the wind turns testing and the rounds tighten near buccaneer shoals.

To capitalize on this momentum, focus on these concrete steps now:

• Hull and deck discipline: keep the hull clean and the deck dressed for easier sail handling; every drag-reducing improvement translates to faster passages between marks.
• Sails and rig: refresh sails bought last season, choose cloth optimized for the trade-winds, and tune halyards and mast rake to suit the running angles in march conditions.
• Crew and flow: adelas crew should practice line handling in gusty beats; calls from the helm must be clear so the team can respond immediately while surrounded by spectators.
• Spare parts and service: namuun logistics maintains a focused sale of critical items; having a deep stock keeps running repairs minimal and protects performance.
• Strategy and conditions: looking south for wind shifts, use a grand plan for mark roundings, and include a contingency if the breeze backs or fronts stiffen on the lee shore.

On the water, the crew maneuvered around oyster beds and shallow shoals with discipline, a local detail that Pendennis studies to fine-tune trim and speed in the channel near land.

1. Schedule a march maintenance window with Pendennis that covers hull, rig, and systems improvements, allowing the boat to be race-ready on the first regatta of the season.
2. Invest in a dedicated sail inventory, with sails bought from trusted sources and a formal sale process for older cloth; this keeps performance consistent and prevents unexpected deltas in speed.
3. Document run data after each race; track line speed, sail trim, and angle of attack to guide future tuning.
4. Maintain a global standard for onboard service and safety checks, ensuring all crew are trained and confident with the gear.
5. Keep the lanyard and lines in good order; a quick check before each leg helps the boat stay fast and responsive.

When looking to repeat the success, Adela will likely be seen dressed to win again; the Pendennis advantage, supported by adelas crew, Namuun supply, and a disciplined routine, should keep the hull protected and the spearhead pointed south toward the next prize.

Course conditions and how they favored Adela

Take the lead on trimming and line choice: keep the boat in clean water at 13-20 knots, riding gusts instead of chasing them. Set a steady upwind plan, and protect the crew by avoiding risky gybes on the long legs. Owners voted early to prioritize a balanced sail plan, with voting on sail choices, and with the jib and mains tuned to hold speed through puffs; this approach kept Adela safe while the fleet strained on the margins.

Conditions on the course favored Adela in several ways. The breeze held from 13-20 knots with a SE arc, producing a moderate chop that favored a clean entry to the first gybe and a smooth transition at the swan buoy. Throughout the day, the current aligned with the long reaches, and the crew timed shifts around the stronger puffs in the late afternoon and evening, giving Adela the chance to extend lead on the long legs.

The combination of experience and quick decision-making sealed the advantage. Arthur and dykstrareichel joined the watch, providing precise calls as wind shifts moved the boat along a safe path. The ballast stayed low in the cellar area to improve roll stability, while the crew kept watch for nights when the breeze livened and the sea grew choppy. Согласно источник briefing notes, the team capitalized on the best line before each lift, taking time to reset after each mark and ensuring the crew could look ahead rather than react. The overall result: Adela took the best position on the last long leg and closed out the race with confidence.

Decisive maneuvers and leg-by-leg sequence

Lock in leg-by-leg sequencing now: Leg 1 starts cleanly with a tight line off the coastal mark; leverage pendennis expertise and venue knowledge to gain early advantage. Contact management and the committee to confirm gate timing and safety signals; coordinate attendance and allies for the opening leg to make the best start.

Leg 2 shifts target the favored wind side; trim crisply on shifts, maintain a compact line, and be ready to spin for the next uplift. With wind at 13-20 knots and a swell of 1-2 m, the duel along the line tests crew handling and helmsmanship, so keep the mainsheet taut and the crew audible.

arthur said the best move is to press the shift early and protect the leeward side while keeping the allies covered; this approach buys space for the fleet and sets up the next phase of the tour around the buoy.

Leg 3 climbs upwind with controlled pressure; keep contact with the fleet, call changes swiftly, and rely on coastal knowledge to anticipate wind shifts; the youngest helmsman can gain on a subtle adjustment if the line holds.

Leg 4 and the final sprint demand a fearless downwind strategy: align with the swell, hold the line, and execute a fabulous launch to the finish; ensure the contact with the committee for finish gate timing and to report the result.

After the legs, officials compile times; источник confirms a strong performance from the team. Attendance surged, and the venue buzzed as allies supported the best ride. The result reflects pendennis-based preparation and management focus on decisive calls.

Pendennis' contributions: design, build, and outfitting milestones

Choose Pendennis for a seamless, end-to-end path from concept to fit-out, with milestones clearly defined across design, build, and outfitting.

Design milestones start with a precise brief blending performance targets with a clean aesthetic. Pendennis's technical team models hull form, weight budgets, and rig options, keeping the history of the yard visible in the lines. Hundreds of hours of CFD, FEA, and scale testing shape stability and motion, while the themed interiors align with the coast vistas and venue vibe for the tour program. The brand elements include a shirt for on-deck presence and a cohesive deck kit. Crews ranging 13-20 collaborate with Pearson, Perkins, Greg, and the broker to validate layouts during workshops, ensuring alignment with safety, commercial objectives, and owner preferences. Although the timeline was tight, Pendennis kept the look clean and coherent, and the team always prioritized balance. Another constraint arose from transport of long hull sections, but the team lent capacity from allied workshops to keep momentum.

Build milestones translate design into structure: keel lay, hull and superstructure assembly, and systems installation. The hoist sequence handles heavy components with precise choreography, keeping operations afloat and the schedule intact. Hundreds of craftsmen and technicians work in sync, drawing on allied suppliers and the broker network to manage quality. They have been focused on keeping the coast-based work clean and efficient while adapting to site constraints, and the venue schedule guided staging with minimal disruption to sea trials and media days. They stayed afloat through tightening constraints and ensured the vision remained faithful to the initial concept, reinforcing the history while delivering a robust platform for the next regatta.

Outfitting milestones cover interior fit-out, electrical and mechanical systems, and finishing touches that define the vibe. The team installs advanced electronics, climate control, and bespoke joinery, then tests comfort metrics and safety increments. The themed spaces reflect the yacht's role as a podium boat at the Antigua events, with vistas and lighting calibrated for evening tours. They kept the kids' gear storage and crew cabins practical, while the broker and allies coordinated sourcing of high-grade materials and artful upholstery. Perkins, Pearson, and Greg sign-off on final checks, ensuring the boat is ready to showcase at the next regatta and depart afloat with confidence.

Crew tactics and on-board comms that sustained peak performance

Implement a 60-second pre-start routine with a fixed line of calls and a 15-second warning to ensure every crew member has their space and their task clearly defined, cutting late-start errors during weeks of regatta action. This approach already works because it enables their watch to maintain cadence under pressure and keeps the race on track.

• Cadence and calls: establish a compact, three-part cadence (one short, two short, one long) and use action words only–HARD, EASE, LINE, TACK, GIVE–to keep the board clean and avoid misreads in busy moments.
• Roles and watch structure: designate a three-person watch for helms, trim, and bow, with a dedicated navigator who reads wind shifts (tradewinds) and communicates metres of sail trim adjustments. This fanatic attention to each part of the boat reduces errors when the pressure rises.
• On-board board and space management: maintain a shared board for strategy and a clear space protocol in the cockpit. When the line tightens, every crew member knows where to stand and what to do, which gives the boat a measurable edge on the next tack.
• Communication channels: run a two-channel approach–VHF for tactical updates and an intercom for in-boat chatter. Keep voices calm and heard, so the company behind the helm stays aligned and the crew doesn’t get overwhelmed by noise.
• Priority calls: prioritize tactical moves, sail trim, then safety. A call like "TACK, prepare to line, easy sheet" reduces reaction time and prevents last-second scrambles, which can cost metres on the race track.
• Consistency under pressure: limit the length of each command and favor direct, imperative terms. This easy-to-follow structure helps in battling gusts and shifts, so the crew can respond in seconds rather than minutes.
• Training through nights and weeks: run drills across variable conditions to build automaticity. The hill of wind shifts can push the team to the limit, but repeated practice ensures they react instinctively and stay on plan.
• Post-race debriefs and knowledge share: articles include notes on what worked, what didn’t, and how to apply it in the next leg. Store insights in the cellar or a shared drive, alongside weather briefs from the broker and performance data–they already form a reliable reference for continuous improvement.
• Safety and marina routines: end each session with a safe marina stop protocol, locking in lines and securing gear before movement or rest. This discipline keeps the crew fresh for the next leg and minimizes risk between nights of racing.
• Performance mindset and teamwork: cultivate a shared love of racing and a commitment to giving the best effort every metre of the course. The score is earned by backing each decision with data, discipline, and clear, heard commands that the whole team can trust.

By integrating concise on-board comms with disciplined tactics, the crew sustains peak performance across a race that spans weeks, nights, and constant pressure. They stay aligned, their talking points stay relevant, and their focus remains on the point where momentum meets precision–giving the boat the edge to climb ahead in every battling leg of the race.

Gear choices and wind tuning: sails and rigging under Antigua winds

Recommendation: start with a two-reef mainsail and a 110–120% jib as the baseline for Antigua’s 18–25 knot trades, plus a Code 0 for light-to-mid reaching and a gennaker for mid-range downwind. For a 90ft yacht competing in the regatta, this setup keeps drive consistent through swell and gusts, enabling you to sail through metres of sea state with controlled angles and clean boat speed.

Rigging and trim: keep Cunningham responsive to wind shifts and set the halyards so the luff remains taught without overdriving the sail. Increase backstay tension as wind spikes to flatten the main and hold the mast in a favorable bend, then ease slightly as gusts pass. Use the vang to control headstay angle and the jib leads to keep the luff clean across the point of sail. This complex tuning relies on real-time boat-to-boat feedback and technical notes from the sailmaker company, with Arthur from the technical team guiding rope work and rig checks. The strategy is based on data from tests already run in similar swell conditions and adjusted through observations offshore.

Downwind tuning: in 16–22 knot intervals, deploy a Code 0 or gennaker on a broad reach, then shift to a flatter gennaker when gusts sharpen the angle. Keep the sheets balanced, use dedicated downwind blocks, and maintain a steady trim rhythm to minimize pitch changes–your crew calls should stay crisp and quick through the gusts. For a 90ft boat, keeping leads near the centerline reduces handling effort and helps maintain speed as you sail through the wave trains and keep the boat stable on the hill-side of a swell. Some teams rely on a mathematical model to predict sails set for each metre of wind shift, while others read the actual water and wind signals to drive the plan.

Crew and data discipline: the youngest crewmember often contributes sharp calls on wind shifts, while the employees at the sailyard and the main line crew keep the hardware in top condition. Read the wind report and the news from the hill to anticipate changes in direction and strength, then adjust the paces of sheet movements accordingly. On a 90ft, the point of sail changes quickly, so practice a quick sail-handling routine and confirm the sail changes with a single, clear call. In battles for the lead, the team must stay focused on the rig, the sails, and the wind state–this is how winners stay ahead when competing against some of the best teams in the fleet. Through disciplined maintenance and precise tuning, you’ll enjoy a smoother ride, better boat speed, and more confident maneuvers across every metre of Caribbean sea.