The key regatta on the UK classic yacht calendar gets underway on July 8 at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The Panerai British Classic Week is unique of its kind thanks to its magical setting in the town of Cowes, home of both the legendary America’s Cup and the Royal Yacht Squadron, founded in 1815, one of the world’s longest-established and most exclusive yacht clubs.
Organised by the British Classic Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron Racing, the Panerai British Classic Week is renowned both for the beauty and elegance of the boats it attracts and the number of events packed into a busy week of competition at Cowes, the cradle of sailing.
The racing commences on Sunday, July 9, after the traditional Concoursd’ Elegance, a parade of the classic boats staged as a tribute to the many visitors crowding the shore. This will be followed by the racing week proper during which the fleet will do battle in the waters off Cowes.
Attending the Panerai British Classic Week at Cowes is a singularly thrilling experience for any sailor or sailing enthusiast. Even the start procedures are unique with pristinely-uniformed race officers on the Royal Yacht Squadron battlements relaying instructions to the boats at sea and giving the countdowns before the traditional cannon shot signals the off.
The 50 or yachts entered will compete on a variety of different courses: from the shortest in the Solent strait off Cowes to longer, more challenging ones, such as the Round The Island Race, a circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight.
