With just over a week to go, excitement is building in advance of the 2011 edition of the Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes. This year’s regatta runs from the 17th – 23rd of July and forms 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. With entries of all sizes still coming in thick and fast, this year’s Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes looks set to see another bumper turnout of classic yachts to race in and around the waters off the Isle of Wight.
Excitement builds ahead of the 2011 Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes
This year’s entry list is made up of an encouraging mixture of large and small boats – some a familiar sight at this regatta, others gracing the event with their presence for the first time. One such newcomer is the 1894 G.L. Watson designed 36’ Gaff Cutter ‘Peggy Bawn’, which will arrive in Cowes fresh from competing at classic regattas in Brittany. In recent years the subject of a painstaking two-year restoration, ‘Peggy Bawn’ was originally commissioned by Belfast flax miller Alfred Lepper and built by his local yacht builder John Hilditch of Carrickfergus, County Antrim. Under subsequent owners she became a star performer in the Dublin Bay racing fleet over several decades.
One yacht which should feel at home in the Solent is the 1974 Sparkman & Stephens 41’ Bermudan Sloop ‘Golden Fleece of Mersea’. Built originally in South Africa, she was brought to Cowes the following year to compete in the 1975 Admiral’s Cup. After being found in 1999 by her current owner in some disrepair, she was sailed to the UK where she underwent a five-year restoration at the Elephant Boatyard in Southampton.
Another beautiful classic scheduled to compete at this year’s regatta is the 1929 International 30 Square Metre Class sloop ‘Gluckauf’. Designed by Henry Rasmussen and built at the German Abeking & Rasmussen yard, at 38’ overall length and with a beam of 6’ 5”, she is regarded as one of the less extreme 30 Square Metre designs, but nevertheless over the years she picked up the nickname ‘Flying Toothpick’ at local regattas.
Despite the legendary Gipsy Moth IV having suffered significant rig damage whilst participating in the recent J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, the indomitable yacht will be repaired in time to compete at this year’s regatta.
Following on from the luxurious and highly popular hospitality facilities provided last year by title sponsor Panerai, competitors at the 2011 Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes will be able to take advantage of a brand new Panerai Lounge. Designed to reflect the overall style and comfort of a classic yacht interior, the 300 square metre wooden structure boasts its own multilingual classic yachting book collection, a large touch screen TV showing up to date results and video from the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge and the Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes, as well as a display of watches from the Panerai collection. The new Panerai Lounge will form the centrepiece of the regatta’s marina based social activities, with competitors able to enjoy a pre race breakfast each morning and post race cocktails each evening.
For the first time the event will be open to the public with the addition of the Panerai Event Village in Cowes Yacht Haven. Open from 3pm Monday-Friday there will be stalls from companies including world renowned photographer Beken of Cowes, Minghella’s Ice Cream, Slam Clothing, Classic Boat magazine, DeLonghi coffee and the Wight Vodka bar by Pusser’s Rum. Entry to the event village is free and there will be live music on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 5pm.
On Thursday morning more than 60 classic cars from the Historic Rally Endurance Organisation (HERO) will be assembled in the Yacht Haven to begin their summer reliability trial and the public is invited to come and view this rare spectacle. Racing at the 2011 Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes begins on Sunday 17 July and runs through to Friday 22 July. On the morning of Saturday 23 July all participating yachts in the regatta are cordially invited to take place in a Parade of Sail.
