The Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge returns to Newport, RI, for the final leg of the American circuit with the Museum of Yachting (MoY) Classic Yacht Regatta on September 4th and 5th. The highly anticipated annual event, sponsored by Panerai and presented by Land Rover, brings enthusiastic vintage and classic yacht owners and skippers to Narragansett Bay for what promises to be one the most exciting classic yacht regattas ever held in the U.S. With the addition of the Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta in Marblehead, MA, this challenge completes the first-ever vintage and classic racing circuit for North America with Nantucket in mid-August and Newport as the final stop. To mark the 31st running of this classic Newport event, regatta organizers, Panerai and Land Rover have included events so Rhode Islanders, Newport visitors, and other classic-boat enthusiasts can enjoy the regatta’s festivities. On Friday night, September 3rd, Panerai will kick off the weekend with a festive opening night celebration at the MoY’s waterfront home at Fort Adams State Park.

For many – legendary racers to young dinghy sailors, summer beachgoers and wooden-yacht enthusiasts – the end of summer is marked by this collection of events which begins on Friday, September 3rd and culminates in the celebrated MoY Classic Yacht Regatta Awards Party on Sunday, September 5th.  Classic-boat enthusiasts are invited to join the international crowd of owners and crews who are traveling from ports throughout the United States and Europe to compete at the acclaimed regatta. Organizing Authority Sail Newport will run two days of racing, starting on Saturday and concluding Sunday afternoon, where the racing fleet will again mix restored classics with “spirit of tradition” yachts of contemporary build and classic styling.  Sunday morning brings a highlight of the event for both participating crews and the public when the regatta’s annual Classic Yacht Parade turns the waters off Newport into a panorama of majestic classics, historic one-designs, and classic powerboats.  The fleet will assemble and trace a parade course around the harbor before heading to the parade’s endpoint in the waters surrounding the MoY and Fort Adams State Park.  The regatta’s winning yacht captain will take home a limited edition 2010 edition of the Panerai Radiomir Regatta 1/8th Second Titanio – 47 mm watch, which is a split-second foudroyante chronograph, which also features a scale for calculating boat speed in knots.  This is a highly specialized model, and therefore a real sailor’s instrument, not just by name, but also due to its technical content.

For more than 25 years, the MoY has worked to preserve the culture and heritage of yachting.  Situated in one of New England’s most beautiful seaside locales, the Museum celebrates the traditions of yachting through the presentation of informative exhibits and educational programming.  In 2007, the Museum converged with the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS), located across Newport Harbor.  Together, these two organizations are creating a rich educational living-heritage experience by coordinating exhibits, events, and restoration projects.  Sail Newport, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1983 after the loss of the America’s Cup catalyzed the sailing community to attract more sailing events to Newport. Over 25 years later, Sail Newport is a thriving sailing center located in Fort Adams State Park.  Sail Newport has a wide variety of sailing programs including learn-to-sail programs, racing clinics, and advanced classes for youth and adults.

Panerai Cowes Regatta 2010 - Image credit to Mark Lloyd

This year, Officine Panerai celebrates its sixth year as sponsor of this prestigious Classic Yachts Challenge yachting circuit, a partnership that is certain to continue in the future, due to the profound values shared, the linkage with the sea, beauty, history, craftsmanship and age-old skill and tradition.  Other PCYC regattas include the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (April 15th – 20th), British Classic Yacht Club Cowes Regatta (July 17th – 24th) in Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK and the Mediterranean Circuit, encompassing: Les Voiles d’Antibes (June 2nd – 6th), in Antibes, France; Copa Del Ray in Minorca, Spain (August 25th – 29th), Vele d’epoca di Imperia in Italy (September 8th – 12th) and the Regates Royales in Cannes, France (September 22nd – 25th).

The high standards of quality and great reliability that have contributed so much to the Royal Italian Navy reflect Panerai’s dedication to research, innovation and tradition.  Similarly, every classic yacht is a symbol of the age-old art of sailing, handed down through generations. It is therefore an ideal counterpart to the world of high quality watch making, where the emphasis on tradition and quality are not the result of good fortune, but the outcome of persistence and longevity.

Cynthia Goss