It's another May Day in the Port of Antibes. Saturday May 4th, and 22 home built novelty rafts battle it out loaded with smoke bombs and other harmless weapons. The Raft Race has entered yachting folklore since the first event took place in Antibes' Port Vauban in 1981.

Every two years, with the minimum of rules and regulations, havoc breaks loose as crews abandon their luxury yachts for weird and wonderful creations with doubtful sea-worthiness. After a break of several years, this legendary event was resurrected this year, with proceeds from entry fees, sponsors and the evening party going to charity.

The Radio Caroline South raft 'Rust Revenge' was crewed by Andrea, Lee and Karine. After instinctively heading out for international waters, the raft hit a sandbank and had to be towed back on course.

The Caroline South team put in a respectable race,
managing to come in amongst the stragglers, but not last!

The winners of the 2002 Antibes raft race was 'The Flintstones' manned by the crew of the luxury yacht 'Calixa'.

In a close finish with 'Hawaiian Boozy Rocket 1' the crew of 'The Flintsones' managed to win first place after the captain of the craft managed to run up the quay with the obligatory football and got his ball in the net before the Hawaiians who arrived quay side first.

Crew member Claudia of runner-up raft 'Hawaiian Boozy Rocket 1' tries to curry favour with the judges pre-race by offering Pina Colada cocktails.

To rub sea salt in their wounds after losing out on first place, the team were awarded the Biggest Cheats Award at the evening pirates party in Golfe Juan.

The crew of 'Wet Dreams' demonstrates the yachting equivalent of sleep-walking. When not sailing or drinking, yachting legend has it that yachties love their bed or bunk.

This enterprising crew managed to combine all three of these favourite yachting activities in one ingenious raft. No sleeping on the job here, and any puffing and panting we are assured was down to rowing their boat ashore.

After the race was over, the festivities continued Saturday evening at the Pirate's Party in Rio's Banana Cafe Golfe Juan, where hundreds of party-goers were entertained by live music and a disco supplied by Radio Caroline South DJ Mark Dezzani.

Live music during the Pirate's Party was supplied by the legendary Yachtbreakers (pictured left), ID90 and Saddalien.

For more about the 2002 Raft Race, visit their website: www.raftrace.com

A 45 min video of the days events and the evening party is available on VHS-PAL for 20 euro (or 13 pounds sterling) inc. postage and packing.

Please make cheques payable to: Europa Productions and send them to:
Via della Zecca 10, 18012 Seborga (IM), Italy.

All profits will go to the charities supported by the Raft Race Organisation.