The British Classic Yacht Club (BCYC), in collaboration with the event sponsor Officine Panerai, are delighted to announce that entries for the 2014 Panerai British Classic Week are now open. The event will take place in Cowes, Isle of Wight, running from Saturday 12th to Saturday 19th July 2014.
Panerai British Classic Week is one of the highlights of the UK’s sailing calendar and this year’s event promises to be another spectacular celebration of classic yachting. With teams travelling from across Europe the Solent and Cowes Yacht Haven will be awash with glistening varnish and sparkling brass work as the crews compete for racing glory and enjoy a fun filled après sailing social programme. The famous and highly challenging “Around the Island Race” will once again be a highlight of the event as will the popular “Je Ne Sais Quoi” competition where the sailors themselves vote for the boat they feel has that certain something.
This is the thirteenth edition of the BCYC’s annual regatta for classic and vintage yachts, and it is the fifth year that the event has formed part of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Series (PCYC), which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The regatta attracts an extraordinarily diverse entry ranging from the iconic classics including designs by Fife, Mylne, Nicholson, Giles, Illingworth, McGruer and Sparkman & Stephens, through to boats whose background stories are as important and fascinating as their design and racing pedigree.
An entry of more than 70 boats is expected this year and alongside the historic yachts, the oldest of which is more than 100 years old, there will once again be a strong field in the modern classics division. The newest boat taking part will be the brand new Spirit 74 yacht, which will be making her debut at the regatta having been commissioned only a few weeks before.
