Officine Panerai: The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta marks the start of the 12th edition Classic Yacht Challenge

The 12th Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge looks set for a flying start from the Caribbean island of Antigua. The traditional Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta takes place between April 13 and 19, and is the first of 10 rounds making up the international vintage and classic sailing circuit sponsored by the Florentine luxury sports watch brand. The Challenge runs until September and spans the Mediterranean, North America and the Isle of Wight in Great Britain.

Over 40 yachts have already signed up for the 29th edition of the Antigua Classic, which enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the truly unmissable events on the international calendar, attracting many of the world’s most beautiful classic craft each year. The fleet will be divided into Vintage, Classic, Traditional, Modern Classic, Spirit of Tradition and Tall Ships categories.

Four races – one per day – are scheduled between April 15 and 18. The racing will be preceded on April 14 by the 17th edition of the Single Handed Race, a competition in which the yachts are sailed solo by their skippers with just one other crew member aboard for safety reasons. On this occasion, the fleet will be split into two groups based on length: under 14 metres (approx.) and over 14 metres (approx.). April 17 brings the traditional Parade of Classics at Nelson’s Dockyard which also plays host to the prize-giving and crew party the following day.

The largest yacht taking part this year is Adix, a 65-metre three-masted gaff schooner built in Spain in 1984. In 1992, she won the transatlantic race from the Canary Islands to San Salvador that commemorated the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America. Adix also has two round the worlds to her credit (1991-1997 and 2003-2006).

In 2002, she beat the schooner Atlantic’s famous record, taking just 11 days, 16 hours and 36 minutes to sail across the Atlantic from New York to England.

Adix isn’t the only sailing giantess coming to Antigua, however. Also there will be the 43-metre Columbia, a replica of the gaff schooner Gloucester. The original yacht was launched in 1923 and using for fishing the Grand Banks. Before sinking in a hurricane off Nova Scotia in 1927, however, she also raced against the legendary Bluenose at the International Fishermen’s Cup Races. The new Columbia was built from steel in 2014 by the Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida, using the original plans.

Alexa of London, an elegant 36-metre gaff cutter built in 1992, will flank other Big Boats including the luxury ketch Chronos (2013) and the schooners Argo (2006) and Kairos (2007). Also present will be the 42-metre Rebecca, a 1999 aluminium ketch designed by Argentinean pen German Frers with the rakes and lines specific to the classic designs of the mid-20th century.

El Oro has a particularly interesting history. The two-master was built from mahogany and oak in 1974 for Baron Marcel Bich, who famously popularised the now-ubiquitous ballpoint pen in the post-War years. Launched in France, El Oro has a clipper bow similar to that of the sailing hero Eric Tabarly’s famous Pen Duick III. After a two-year restoration in Myanmar, she sailed first to Thailand, Indonesia, Borneo and Hong Kong. El Oro was later moved to the Baltic and then the Canaries from where she cast off for her voyage across to Antigua with an all-Australian crew that can’t wait compete in such a major regatta.

Yet again the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta has proved itself an event that effortlessly interweaves history, seafaring culture and a sense of fair-play amongst both owners and crews, be they amateur or professional. Values shared by OfficinePanerai, a proud international supporter of the principles of the sport of classic sailing.

After the success of the 11th edition, the eagerly-awaitedPanerai Classic Yachts Challenge returns in 2016. The leading international classic and veteran boat circuit will once again be promoted and sponsored by the Florentine luxury sports watch-makerOfficinePanerai in celebration of its inextricable links to the seafaring world.

Now a must for all enthusiasts, the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge brings together many of the world’s most spectacular regatta venues on two separate international circuits, spanning everything from the crystal-clear waters of the Antilles to the stunning sea and landscapes of the Mediterranean. The magnificent classic and veteran yachts it attracts, vie for, amongst other prizes, the exclusive Panerai watches presented to the winners of each stage, which last year numbered Moonbeam IV, Il Moro di Venezia I, Manitou and Siren.

The Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge calendar begins in April with the traditional Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (13 – 19 April), which has been closing the Caribbean sailing season each year since the 1960s with a dazzling gathering of boats at English Harbour.