Ranger and Velsheda had a battle royal at Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta last week end which ended in a collision in the final race

Racing got too close for comfort yesterday at the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta when the two J Class yachts Velsheda and Ranger collided in a port and starboard incident in the fourth and last race of the regatta.

According to a source in Falmouth Harbour John Williams’s Ranger was on starboard when the two Js clashed with minor damage to both hulls and rigs. Velsheda, owned and steered by Ronald de Waal immediately retired while Ranger recorded a RDG – redress given.

However, that wasn’t enough to bring her to the top of the table in a regatta in which Velsheda scored three 1sts and a 5th and Ranger four 2nds. Velsheda has a more advantageous rating than Ranger who was unable to overcome her handicap. She also lost a headsail during race one which ended her chances that day. On day two Ranger beat Velsheda on the water by 15 seconds but was beaten by more than three minutes on the water in race three.

Velsheda has clearly got to grips with her new Southern Spars carbon mast and carbon rigging and Ranger continues to benefit from the major weight reconfiguration she underwent more than a year ago.

It’s unlikely the two Js will come together again this summer as Velsheda is heading for northern Europe and the JP Morgan Round the Island Race on 20 June followed by a cruise in the Baltic.

Picture by Michele on s/y Irony