Trade Winds and Tactical Nerve Hand Leopard 3 the IMA Maxi Crown in Antigua
Two final coastal races — one of 20 nautical miles, the second 10 — were set against the dramatic backdrop of Fort Charlotte, perched high above the leeward end of the starting line. From there, race officer Nigel Biggs and his team oversaw a start sequence that has quickly become one of the most distinctive in international maxi racing: sheer cliffs, narrow tactical margins, and 100-foot yachts tacking within metres of each other.
By the end of the day, it was Leopard 3 that stood tallest — claiming a hard-fought, come-from-behind victory in the IMA Maxi division.
Race One: Margins Measured in Seconds
The first race of the day began with Karel Komárek’s 100-footer V winning the pin, Chris Flowers’ Galateia pressing above her, and Joost Schuijff’s Leopard 3 positioned one boat down from the top end.
The start mattered. On this course, control of the “cliff end” often dictates the opening phase of the beat. Captain Jack Bouttell aboard V described it clearly:
“If you win the cliff end, you can basically call water on the fleet. You’re in a land-favoured beat and can control the return to shore.”
V converted that advantage into her first race win of the series — but only just. Under IRC corrected time, she edged Leopard 3 by a mere 19 seconds. Balthasar recovered strongly after previous day boom issues to claim third.
The result compressed the leaderboard dramatically. Overall leader Deep Blue posted a fifth, leaving just one point separating Deep Blue, Leopard 3 and V heading into the final race.
The Nelson’s Cup was suddenly wide open.
Race Two: Pressure, Squalls and Precision
Before the start of the second race, a rain squall loomed south of the course — a reminder of the chaos earlier in the week when sudden shifts and torrential downpours had reshuffled positions in minutes. But this time the weather held its nerve. The squall line passed clear, leaving steady breeze building to 18–19 knots.
At the line, Galateia won the pin with Leopard 3 positioned above and V squeezed between.
Leopard 3 tactician Chris Nicholson explained the split-second decision that shaped the race:
“We wanted the left, but so did V. It became too congested. Galateia were ripping in on starboard, so we changed plan, hitched up windward and timed it right. They called water — we simu-tacked with them — and slowly ground out from underneath.”
Three 100-footers tacking within three boat lengths is not theatre. It is high-end execution under load.
Leopard 3 found her rhythm and controlled the race from there, stretching out to win by more than two and a half minutes under IRC corrected time. Galateia finished second, Balthasar third.
That 2–1 scoreline on the final day was enough to overturn the standings and hand Leopard 3 the overall IMA Maxi victory by two points from Deep Blue, with Galateia third.
Training, Youth and Momentum
For owner Joost Schuijff, the win was both tactical and cultural.
“It was very tight going into the last race. I told the crew we’ve done this before — winning the last race — and not making mistakes. The training paid off.”
He emphasised the steady progression of the programme:
“We’re still improving different things. We’re getting better and better. We’re constantly close with the other 100s now.”
Laura Schuijff highlighted another dynamic shaping Leopard 3’s resurgence:
“The young guys are really stepping up. We’ve got excellent young sailors — including an Antiguan on board — who are owning their roles.”
Nicholson was equally candid:
“Today was our best day — a 2–1. The margins are tiny. On board it feels intense. We’re still finding our feet against Galateia and V. They push harder in manoeuvres. We’re learning.”
That honesty perhaps explains the result more than anything else. Leopard 3 did not dominate the series. She refined, adjusted, and delivered under maximum pressure.
What It Means
The IMA Maxi Class at the RORC Nelson’s Cup has evolved into one of the most competitive high-performance arenas in the Caribbean. The fleet is technically sophisticated. The owners are deeply engaged. The conditions are uncompromising.
Antigua does not reward reputation.
It rewards execution.
On the final afternoon, with the breeze in the high teens and the cliff face watching over the line, Leopard 3 executed when it mattered most.
Salt in the air. Loads on the rig. Margins in seconds.