Boats and teams from across the globe are preparing to converge on Cowes for the Panerai British Classic Week, UK’s biggest and most prestigious annual classic regatta, included in the calendar of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge series. Based at Cowes Yacht Haven and running from 16th to 22nd July 2016, the event will feature around 60 stunning classic yachts. Teams will travel from across the UK and Europe, and from as far afield as New Zealand and Australia to compete.
The 2016 entry list features a host of old favourites and some exciting new additions. Amongst the old friends are British Classic Yacht Club Commodore David Murrin’s beautifully restored 1955 sloop Cetewayo; 2014 Panerai British Classic Week overall winner Whooper and the infamous Saskia. The oldest boat entered this year is Peggy Bawn, built in 1894, followed by the 105-year-old Cormorant which was designed and built in 1911.
Joining the regatta for the first time will be two crews from The Classic Yacht Association of Australia and one crew from the Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand, racing three identical yachts chartered from Classic Sail Pegasus, Gryphis and Leopard. All three yachts were part of a matched set of seven identical yachts commissioned by the Royal Navy for officer cadet and midshipman training.
The regatta will open on Sunday, 17th July with the spectacular Concours d’Elegance parade of the yachts past the Royal Yacht Squadron, followed by the first race starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron start-line. Other highlights of the week include the Around The Island Race, the traditional Open Yachts Pontoon Party and Wednesday’s Ladies Race. The winning yacht in each class will be awarded a Panerai watch, courtesy of the Florentine luxury sports watchmaker which is sponsoring the international Classic Yachts Challenge since 2005.
As always, the Panerai Lounge at Cowes Yacht Haven will be welcoming competitors throughout the week, offering much-needed refreshments and “Aperitivo” to relax after a hard day of sailing. Once the Panerai British Classic Week finishes, the next Mediterranean regatta will be Le Veled’Epoca di Imperia from 7th – 11th September, which is held every second year and draws dozens of historic yachts to compete off the Ligurian coast. The season then finishes with the renowned Les RégatesRoyales at Cannes, taking place from 20th – 24th September 2016.
