After an August of exhilarating regattas along the American East Coast, the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the leading circuit for sailing craft of this kind, returns to Europe on August 29 for the penultimate round of the Mediterranean Circuit at Mahon on the island of Menorca.
The American racing was as spectacular and exhilarating as ever with over 200 yachts doing battle over the five events of the North American Circuit. The regattas are, of course, absolutely unique and enchanting, both in terms of the beauty of the yachts entered and the host venues. Marble head, Newport, Nantucket and Bristol – all magical places that have written many of the most glorious chapters in sailing and yachting history. The winners of the North American Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, were SONNY, a Bermudian Sloop designed by Sparkman & Stephens, in the Vintage Division and VALIANT, a 12 metre class yacht in the Grand Prix Division.
Back in the Mediterranean, the XIV Copa del Rey gets underway on August 29 at Mahon on the island of Menorca. This third round of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge is definitely one of the most spectacular on the circuit too. The city of Mahon overlooks a breathtaking natural fjord, and the prevailing local weather and sea conditions always deliver exceptionally technical racing.
The Spanish stage will be pivotal to the overall classification which will see the end-of-season Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Mediterranean Circuit Trophy presented to the overall winner of the Classic, Vintage and Big Boat categories. Right now, the battle is still wide open as all the top boats are clustered together with just a few points dividing them. After Mahon, however, the standings should be more clearly defined and the key event of the season will therefore be Les Régates Royales at Cannes, the concluding round of the Circuit.
