After rounds at Antibes (FR), PortoSanto Stefano (ITA) and Mahon (ESP), the Panerai ClassicYachts Challenge, the leading international classic sailingcircuit, reaches its official conclusion at Cannes betweenSeptember 26 and 30.
The 39th edition of Les RégatesRoyales de Cannes willculminate in the presentation of the end-of- season PaneraiTrophies in the Vintage Yachts, Classic Yachts and BigBoats categories. The winners' names will be added tothe circuit's Roll of Honour at the end of a very successfulseason: more than 250 historic craft, manned by around2,000 crew, competed in the various stages of this year'sChallenge.
In all, just under 90 yachts from more than 10 differentnations will be converging on Cannes where they will besplit into different categories according to their sailing rigsand year of construction. This is one of the world's largestand most diverse historic boat fleets built between the endof the 19th century and the 20th century to designs by thegreat international yacht designers and yards, not least Fifein Scotland, Herreshoff and Sparkman & Stephens in theUS, and Camper &Nicholsons in England. Also attending will be a fleet of at least 40 Dragons. The world's largestone-design keelboat class, the Dragon was designed in1929 by Norwegian architect Johan Anker and this yearcelebrates its 30th year at the French regatta.
The most spectacular category at Cannes will be theaptly-named Big Boats, genuine giantesses of the sea stretching in the case of Elena of London, a replica of a1911 schooner, to a massive 55 metres. Also there will bethe 40-metre Cambria (1928) and Moonbeam IV (1914),formerly owned by Prince Rainier and Princess Grace ofMonaco, both names already inscribed on the PaneraiTrophy roll of honour. Hallowe'en (1926) is one of thestrongest contenders for the season title in her class alongwith Moonbeam of Fife (1903). They will be joined on thewater by the equally-competitive Tuiga (1909), the flagshipof the Yacht Club de Monaco and often helmed by PierreCasiraghi.
The Vintage category will see a slew of prestige contendersfor the title pulling out all the stops to the final mark, notleast Linnet, a 1905 New York Yacht Club 30, Spartan(1913), Enterprise and two New York 40s, Rowdy andChinook, both launched at the Herreshoff yard in New Yorkin 1916 but with rigs. Also in this group is Tilly XV (1912),holder of an important personal record: she is the firstand only yacht to have competed in Panerai's Caribbeanregattas at Antigua, on the North American circuit and at
Les Regatés Royales de Cannes in a single season!
Vying for the Classic title this year will be, amongst others,Ardi (1968), representing the Club Nautico Versilia inViareggio, Encounter (1976) and the historically-importantIl Moro di Venezia I, chasing her third win after 2013 and2015. Lulu (1897) will be celebrating 120 years since herlaunch - she boasts a long and glorious career that includescompeting in the Paris Olympics of 1900. The two-masterVeronique is also marking 110 years since she splashed inEngland in far-off 1907. The "younger" wood-built yachtsexpected include Cholita, Ellad, France, Havsornen(Sweden), Manitou (US) aboard which J.F. Kennedy usedsail, and Skylark of 1937, all celebrating the passing of amere eight decades since their launch.
This will also be the last regatta of the season for Eilean(Vintage category), the 1936 ketch restored by OfficinePanerai. Since her relaunch, this wood-built two-masterhas represented Panerai at a long list of official occasionsand classic boat regattas and rallies.Throughout the regatta there will also be plenty of entertainment on the dockside for both competitors andthe visiting public. Events will span everything from tug-ofwarcompetitions to parties for boats celebrating milestoneanniversaries, a concoursd'elegance, live music andstands featuring the work of local artists and craftspeople.
The official programme commences with the openingceremony on Monday, September 25. Then, starting onTuesday, September 26, the classic and vintage yachts willcompete in five races, one per day, in the stretch of seaoverlooking the Gulf of Napoule and Ìles de Lérins. Aftereach race, the Panerai Lounge will provide a welcomerefuge for crews to relax and discuss the day's results.The prize-giving ceremony takes place on the afternoonof Saturday, September 30, in the Vieux Port, where theboats will be moored throughout the event.
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