Classics in Cowes

British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta sets sail this week

The majority of the fleet for the British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta 2010 has assembled in Cowes Yacht Haven ahead of the scheduled start of racing on Monday 19 July.

This unique event, which is now in its ninth year, brings together some of the most beautiful vintage sailing craft for a full week of racing and socialising in Cowes, the spiritual home of classic yachting. This year the regatta has been boosted by its inclusion in 2010 Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Series. Sponsored by Italian watch manufacturer Panerai since 2005, this high profile series features many of the world’s leading classic yacht regattas, including the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and the Regates Royale, Cannes.

The strong winds which have prevailed in the UK for the last several days resulted in difficult delivery trips for many of the competing boats and the marina this afternoon was buzzing with tails of derring-do from several crews who seemed pleased to have made it to Cowes in more or less one piece. As many as ten of the fifty-five registered entries are still yet to arrive, but classic yacht owners are made of stern stuff and the regatta organisers are very hopeful of all the boats arriving in time to compete on day one.

As ever, the regatta includes a full programme of racing and social functions throughout the week. Racing will take place under the IRC handicap system and the fleet has been sub-divided into four racing classes. In addition, those owners and crews not inclined towards competition will have the opportunity to observe the racing and also engage in some more sedate cruising activity as part of the Rally Fleet.

The regatta kicks off on Monday 19 July with racing inside the confines of the Solent. Tuesday 20 July will see the fleet compete in a long distance race, which if weather permits will see them circumnavigate the Isle of Wight. Wednesday 21st July has been designated Challenge Day and offers competing owners the chance to challenge any other yacht bigger than their own to a boat-on-boat match race. Interest in this new initiative appears to be strong and owners could be seen prowling the docks this afternoon eyeing up potential adversaries.

Thursday 22 and Friday 23 July will see the competitors return to fleet racing to complete the overall series. On Saturday 24 July all yachts are invited to take part in a Parade of Sail to mark the official close of the regatta.

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