Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2013 | Page 45

ON THE WATER Panerai British CLASSIC WEEK Scores of beautiful yachts heading to Cowes for the popular annual regatta Entries are now open for this year’s Panerai British Classic Week, which will take place from Saturday July 6 to Saturday July 13 in Cowes. Between 60 and 70 classic yachts are expected to compete, including a handful of the beautiful yachts built in the legendary Fife shipyard in Scotland. The Cowes regatta is unique within the worldwide Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge series for the extraordinary diversity of yachts it attracts. After an exceptional summer of sailing in the UK last year, the Panerai British Classic Week organisers are promising another exciting week of racing in the Solent, including the famous and highly challenging ‘Around the Island Race’. A varied social programme for competing skippers and their crews will include the popular ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ competition, live music, a themed crew party and a prize giving gala dinner, rounded off by the impressive Parade of Sail past the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green on the last day. Following with tradition, competing classic yachts, when docked, will yield a Cowes Yacht Haven, offering visitors to the Island spectacular views of the classic boats upon arrival in Cowes. The Panerai British Classic Week offers the owners and crews the opportunity to exchange ideas and tips with fellow enthusiasts in addition to showing off their boats’ racing skills. The general public are also able to engage with crew members and learn about the history behind each spectacular vessel. Owning and maintaining a classic yacht is a labour of love and those involved feel a great sense of responsibility to ensure that these unique and beautiful vessels are treasured for many generations to come. Now in its 12th year, the British Classic Yacht Club’s annual regatta for classic and vintage yachts has formed part of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Series (PCYC) for the past three years. Throughout the years, the regatta has become a highlight in the UK sailing calendar, making it a perfect fit for the PCYC Series, which runs from April to September each year and attracts some of the world’s most iconic classic sailing yachts. For further information about Panerai British Classic Week visit www.britishclassicyachtclub.org/ regatta/ www.visitislandlife.com 45