The 28th edition of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge which the Florentine luxury sports watch-maker is sponsoring for the 11th consecutive year, gets underway in April with the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, from the 15th to 21st.
Dozens of boats are expected in the English Harbour to celebrate the end of the Caribbean season as they have done since 1967.
The Mediterranean Circuit commences on the Cote d’Azur in June with Les Voiles d’Antibes (3 – 7 June) and also encompasses such evocative and historic events as the Argentario Sailing Week in Italy (18 – 21 June), the Copa del Rey de Barcos d’Epoca on the island of Minorca, Spain (25 – 29 August) and, finally, Les Régates Royales de Cannes (22 – 26 September), which closes the competition and includes the final prize-giving ceremony.
Also taking part in the Mediterranean Circuit will be Eilean, the 1936 Bermudan ketch that Officine Panerai rescued from a state of advanced disrepair and restored with extraordinary meticulousness, returning what is one of William Fife III’s final designs to her original splendour.
Just last year, Panerai unveiled a new wall clock inspired by Eilean, along with a Barometer, Hygrometer, and Thermometer — all instruments used in Eilean since its restoration in 2007. For the first time, these instruments were made available for purchase.
Right at the heart of the American summer will be the three regattas comprising the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge North American Circuit: the Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta at Marblehead (7 – 9 August), the Opera House Cup at Nantucket (12 – 16 August) and the Museum of Yachting Classic Yacht Regatta at Newport (4 – 6 September).
In the month of July, the waters of the Solent around the Isle of Wight (United Kingdom) play host to the only European round of Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge taking place outside the Mediterranean: the Panerai British Classic Week at Cowes (18 – 25 July).
For more information, go to //www.paneraiclassicyachtschallenge.com
