The British Classic Yacht Club, in conjunction with their event sponsor Panerai, are pleased to announce the dates for the tenth edition of the Club’s annual Cowes regatta for classic yachts of all sizes.
The 2010 British Panerai Regatta - © Lloyd Images
Renamed for 2011 as ‘Panerai British Classic Week’ next year’s regatta in Cowes will run from Sunday 17th July to Saturday 23rd July. As in previous years, competing yachts will be berthed at Cowes Yacht Haven.
For the second year the regatta will form a part of the 2011 Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Series, which also includes some of the world’s leading classic yacht regattas, such as the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and the Régates Royales in Cannes.
The Panerai British Classic Week organisers once again promise a full programme of racing and social functions for competing skippers and their crews. The 2011 racing schedule will comprise a number of long and short course day races around the environs of the Solent, but in a break from the traditional format, the regatta will begin on Sunday 17th July with a standalone race clockwise around the Isle of Wight. In another departure from previous years, this race, to be known as the ‘Panerai Classic Round the Island Race’, will also be thrown open to entries from classic yachts not competing in the main regatta.
The 2011 edition of the regatta sees the welcome return of the Rally Division. This element was successfully introduced at last year’s event to offer those owners and crews, not inclined towards racing, the chance to be a part of the regatta and to spend a congenial week with like minded classic yacht enthusiasts.
As ever, next year’s regatta programme will also include the unique and popular ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ competition, which over the course of the regatta gives owners and crews a chance to meet fellow competitors aboard their classic yachts and ultimately vote for the individual entry which they believe truly has ‘that very special something.’
As in previous years, all competing yachts are cordially invited to take part in a spectacular regatta finale on Saturday 23rd July, in the form of a Parade of Sail in front of the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green.
Entries for the tenth edition of the Panerai British Classic Week will open in April 2011 and more details on the event, including the official Notice of Race, will be posted on the BCYC website www.britishclassicyachtclub.org/regatta in due course.
ABOUT THE BRITISH CLASSIC YACHT CLUB:
The British Classic Yacht Club was formed in 2001 to provide a congenial environment for owners and other classic yacht enthusiasts to share experiences and enjoy each other’s company. Affiliated to the RYA, the BCYC strives to represent the interests of classic yacht owners and has developed good relationships with many leading yacht clubs in the UK and abroad. The officers of the BCYC are actively involved in both national and international discussions about the future development of classic yachting.
The membership of the BCYC now consists of more than eighty boats. In addition to the Club’s flagship annual regatta held in Cowes each July, the Club also organises a full programme of other racing, cruising and social activities in the Solent and on the East Coast, including the popular East Coast Classic Regatta in early June. BCYC yachts also participate in many important sailing events, including classic regattas in the Channel, Mediterranean and West Indies.
ABOUT OFFICINE PANERAI:
Founded in Florence in 1860, Officine Panerai was for many years the official supplier of precision instruments for the Italian Navy. Purchased by the Richemont Group in 1997 and subsequently launched on the international market, Officine Panerai is now Italy’s only fine watch making company. Developing and producing its own movements and watches, Officine Panerai uniquely blends Italian history and design with renowned Swiss craftsmanship. Panerai watches are sold exclusively through an international network of authorized retailers and in Panerai boutiques around the world.
ABOUT THE PANERAI CLASSIC YACHTS CHALLENGE:
Sponsored by Panerai since 2005, this high profile series features some of the world’s leading classic yacht regattas, including the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and the Régates Royales, Cannes. Running from April until September, nine regattas will form the Panerai circuit in 2011, with races in the USA, Caribbean and Europe.
