As we near the close of the 2015 sailing season, we will be updating classic sailing highlights, of this sensational year, to this page in random order, accumulating by years end. A tribute to these magnificent vintage greyhounds; celebrating the stewardship of the owners of these fine crafts for making it all possible.
Caribbean Region
The 2015 Mount Gay Round Barbados Race (January 16-24)
Although not an exclusive classic yacht regatta, there were some notable exceptions, including the 55 metre ELENA OF LONDON, a 1910 Morton Plant commissioned yacht designed by Nathanael Herreshoff, and two sustainable energy cargo ships, RUTH (the Sailing Ambassador to the island of Barbados), and TRES Hombres (32 metre Fair Transport schooner)
The 2015 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (April 15-21)
The entire four-race series was blessed with spectacular conditions with 15-20 knots of easterly Trade Winds throughout the regatta.
For the second straight year Whitehawk was declared the winner of the Panerai Trophy, having won every race and line honours in four starts in Classics Class A.
Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Race 2
Mediterranean Region
The 2015 Les Voiles d’Antibes (June 3-7)
The opening regatta of the Panerai Mediterranean Circuit of the 2015 Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge welcomed 80 beautiful grandes dames of the sea, built between the end of the 19th century and the present, all congregated at Port Vauban in Antibes, for a series of celebrations of yachting history.
A new addition to the 2015 Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge season, was the Challenge of Challenge Race, inspired by the spirit of the gentleman races of the past. Two centenarians, EVA and LULU, from the same class raced without handicaps or protest against each other. EVA, built in France in 1897 to the design by Rabot, was the winner, taking home the gold medal provided by Officine Panerai.
Chinook (1916) in the Vintage category, Il Moro di Venezia (1976) in the Classic, Mariska (1908) in the Big Boats and Freya (2003) in the Spirit of Tradition all won the coveted Officine Panerai watch for placing first in their respective categories.
The 2015 16th Argentario Sailing Week (June 18-21)
Perfect weather conditions were found on the final day of sailing for the 16th Argentario Sailing Week, the Grandes Dames of the Sea sailed under crystal-clear skies with great visibility and the breathtaking scenario of the Tuscan archipelago.
The overall winners of the Regatta in their respective divisions who received a Officine Panerai timepiece:
Manitou (Vintage)
Sagittarius (Classic)
Mida (Spirit of Tradition).
Final results of the Argentario Sailing Week 2015
Vintage 150
1st – 62 – MANITOU – Jordan Phil – 1-2-2 = 5
2nd – NY48 – CHINOOK – Zannoni Paolo – 4-1-1 = 6
3rd – NY49 – ROWDY – Dyer Howard – 2-4-3 = 9
Vintage +150
1st – ITA2 – CHOLITA – Nettis Maria Linda – 2-1-1 = 4
2nd – 3446 – JALINA – Frattini Luciano – 1-2-2 = 5
3rd – ITA650 – ALEPH – Cantieri Navali Dilla Spezia SRLm – 5-3-3 = 11
Classic 145
1st – I7077 – IL MORO DI VENEZIA – Massimiliano – 1-2-1 = 4
2nd – ITA1643 – CORSARO II – 2-1-2 = 5
3rd – ITA4519 – STELLA POLARE – 3-3-5 = 11
Classic +145
1st – FRA6065 – SAGITTARIUS – Laffittethierry – 2-2-1 = 5
2nd – ITA5634 – NAIF – Gardini Ivan – 1-3-3 = 7
3rd – I4073 – CHIN BLU III – Caruso Giuseppe – 6-1-2 = 9
Spirit of Tradition
1st – ITA7668 – MIDA – Porcelloni Alessandro – 3-2-1= 6
2nd – 226 – WIND & WINE – Kovarich Francesco – 2-1-3 = 6
3rd – 218 – PYXIS – Perotto Pierpaolo – 1-5-DSQ-2 = 8
Mahon XII Copa del Rey de Barcos de Época (August 25-29)
The third of four Regattas that make up the Panerai Mediterranean Circuit, the XII “Copa del Rey- Panerai”, “Vela Clásica Menorca” will be held between August 25th and 29th, both included, in Mahon (Menorca) waters. The regatta is also part of the Spanish Vintage and Classic Boats Championship 2015 and the Classics Mare Nostrum Trophy.
Launched in 2003 by the Club Marítimo de Mahón (CMM) and the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona (RCNB), the Copa del Rey de Barcos de Época – Vela Clásica Menorca has, over its seven years, attracted hundreds of “Ladies of the Sea” with their owners and crews to the enchanting Balearic island, whose natural harbour has been one of the most strategic in the whole of the western Mediterranean since antiquity.
Big Boats
1st – MOONBEAM IV – LONGRIVER CORPORATE – CREACH MIKAEL – WILLIAM FIFE 1-1-1 = 3
2nd – HALLOWEEN – MICHAEL COTTER – INIGO STREZ – WILLIAM FIFE III 2-2-3 = 7
3rd – MOONBEAM III – WAECHTER LAURENCE – ERWAN NOBLET – WILLIAM FIFE III 3-3-2 = 8
Classic
1st – ARGOS – BARBARA TRILLING – HOLMAN – 1-1-2 = 4
2nd – CORSARO II – MARINA MILITARE ITALIANA – SPARKMAN & STEPHENS – 3-6-3 = 12
3rd – ENCOUNTER – NAVIMARINE INTERNATIONAL – GERMAN FRERS – 4-2-8 = 14
Vintage Gaff
1st – MARIGAN – TIM LIESENHOFF – CHARLES LIVINGSTON – 2-2-2 = 6
2nd – KELPIE OF FALMOUTH – ASGARD YACHTS LTD – FRANCIS SWEISGUTH – 1-3-3 = 7
3rd – CHINOOK – PAOLO ZANNONI – N.G.HERRESHOFF – 8-OCS-1-1 = 10
Vintage Marconi Rig
1st – ROWDY – HOWARD DYER – NATHANAEL G.HERRESHOFF – 1-2-3 = 6
2nd – LEONORE BABBINGTON PCC – JOHAN ANKER – 2-1-5 = 8
3rd – MANITOU PHILIP JORDAN – OLIN STEPHENS – 5-3-1 = 9
Cannes Regates Royales (September 22- 26)
Included in the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge calendar since 2005 as the closing leg of the season, the Régates Royales in Cannes represent one of the most prestigious fixtures in the entire international regatta season reserved for classic and vintage yachts. The large number and variety of boats present as well as its long history make this event an extraordinary festival devoted to the sea and its leading ladies.
The name Régates Royales, dating back to 1929, recalls the royalty who took part in the regattas with their boats right from the very first years of the event. Cannes, however, had already acted as host to the first regatta – for tall ships – organised by the then Société de Régates de Cannes in 1863.
The 37th edition of Les Régates Royales brought the successful Officine Panerai-sponsored Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge to a conclusion for the season.
Moonbeam IV (Big Boats category), Manitou (Vintage category) and Il Moro di Venezia I (Classic category) are the three prestige wood-built sailing yachts that have won the 2015 season trophies and, in doing so, added their names to the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Mediterranean Circuit roll of honour. The final stage on the circuit attracted a fleet of some 80 yachts of between 7 and 60 metres built between the late 1800s and the early years of this century.
This was a fitting end for the 11th edition of the leading international circuit for these Grandes Dames of the Sea after a long and exhilarating racing season featuring stages at Antibes (France), Porto Santo Stefano (Italy) and Mahon (Spain).
In the Challenge of Challenge, instigated by Officine Panerai this year and featuring a line-honours one-on-one race between two yachts, the 1903 Moonbeam III crossed the line ahead of the 1926 Hallowe’en. Overall victory in the 40-strong Dragon fleet went to M3 skippered by German Michaël Schmidt.
Cannes once again proved the most important and popular classic yacht regatta in the Mediterranean, with both sailors and owners already promising to return in 2016 for the next season of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge.
United Kingdom Region
The Falmouth Classics (June 12-14)
Falmouth Classics is a three day rally of classic sailing craft and other traditional vessels, including pilot gigs and motor boats.
Set in the finest sailing waters in the South of England it is three days of rallying, and racing with the added bonus of free access to the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, which takes place in the town at the same time.
The 2015 J-Class Regatta – Falmouth (June 23-27)
Needing to win the final race Lionheart stayed out of trouble to score the required, definitive race victory which clinched the J Class Falmouth Regatta title only one point ahead of Velsheda.
Final Results:
1 Lionheart 10pts, 1,(3),1,2,2,3,1
2 Velsheda 11pts (3), 1,3,1,1,2,3
3 Ranger 12pts 2,2,2(3),3,1,2
British Classic Week (July 18-25)
Every year, in late July, the old port of Cowes on the isle of Wight, and the legendary waters of the Solent – the strait separating the island from England, famous for its unique combination of winds and tides – play host to the most important event in the United Kingdom for classic yachts, part of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge since 2010.
David Sherriff’s ‘Jap’ is Top Yacht at Panerai British Classic Week 2015
After five days of exciting and challenging racing at Panerai British Classic Week 2015 the weather sadly let the fleet down on the final day, when strong winds and torrential rain forced the abandonment of the sixth and final race of the series just before the start.
Whilst disappointed not to race the fleet was in agreement with the decision and happily retired to the marina to relax and prepare for the Panerai British Classic Week Gala Prize Giving Dinner.
Griff Rhys Jones, actor, comedian and owner of the 1948 Olin Stephens 57’ Bermudan Yawl ‘Argyll’, had the gala dinner audience in stitches with anecdotes of classic yacht ownership. His analogy that “Sailing a classic boat is like taking a piece of Chippendale furniture and throwing it into the sea, and then steering other bits of Chippendale furniture within inches of it.” particularly appealed to them.
Amandine Rohmer of Panerai was then welcomed to the stage by British Classic Yacht Club (BCYC) founder Tim Blackman to present the overall victors with their trophies and unique Panerai Plates.
With straight wins in both Class 4 and the combined Fleet races, the 1897 William Fife III designed Cork Harbour One Design ‘Jap’, the oldest boat in the regatta and at just over 30’ one of the smallest, was named Panerai British Classic Week Champion 2015. The second time her name has been added to this illustrious trophy, the first being in 2012.
‘Jap’ was sailed this week by owner David Sherriff, Martin Payne, Toby Mumford, Lauren Fry, Mark Yeabsley, Olympic Rowing Gold Medallist Zach Purchase, and with Paralympic Gold Medallist Andy Cassell helming all the points series races, plus America’s Cup legend Harold Cudmore guest helming on Thursday. Martin Payne summed up the crew’s feelings saying, “It was a fantastic event and I’m really proud of the team. Andy helmed brilliantly, the foredeck crew (all four of them) sailed with both skill and fun, whilst Sheriff was on the main and I called the tactics. It’s wonderful when a crew really works together and that happened for us this week. The competition was tough too with so many beautiful boats that were seriously on the pace to race against.”
As well as a Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days Acciaio watch ‘Jap’ also received the British Classic Yacht Club Racing Trophy, the Cereste Trophy and Panerai Plate for Class Four. In his acceptance speech David Sherriff thanked his fellow competitors for their hospitality, Panerai for their incredible support of the classic yacht movement and the BCYC under whose flag ‘Jap’ had the honour of sailing this week.
The Flight Trophy for the yacht placed second overall in the regatta went to Giovanni Belgrano’s ‘Whooper’, which also won the Commodore’s Cup for Class 3 for the second successive year. A 39’ Laurent Giles sloop built by Woodnutts of Bembridge in 1939, she was intended to be a shallow-draft cruiser, but her natural reaching and downwind speed exceeded expectations. Anecdotes from Peter Bruce recall Channel crossings in the 1960’s at average speeds over 10 knots – exceptional for the era!
Third place overall, the EFG International Trophy and the Event Trophy for Class 5 went to Pascal Oddo’s 1930 Q Class ‘Jour de Fete’, designed to the Herreschoff Universal Rule and skippered by America’s Cup Legend Bruno Troublé,
The Event Trophy for Class 0 was won by John Caulcutt, Jamie Matheson and Stephen Hemsley’s ‘Mariquita’. Designed by Wiliam Fife III and launched in 1911 ‘Mariquita’ was one of four 19 Metres, that raced successfully until the start of the Great War. She spent more than forty years as a houseboat on the Orwell before being fully restored by Fairlee Restorations in 1991.
Regatta Chairman Sean McMillan’s ‘Flight of Ufford’ won the Lutine Trophy for Class 1’s Modern Classics. A Spirit 52, ‘Flight of Ufford’ was designed by her owner as a fast cruiser for himself and his wife Jenny. This is her tenth year at the regatta where she has achieved considerable success over the years.
BCYC Commodore David Murrin’s ‘Cetewayo’ claimed the Corinthian Cup for Class 2. Designed by Laurent Giles and built by Morris and Latimer in 1955, this 48’ fractional sloop has been the subject of an ongoing restoration and improvement programme that has included a complete rebuild of the transom rudder and steering allowing extra winches to be installed, facilitating the use of higher performance modern race sails.
The Universal 8 Cup for the first 8 Metre was awarded to Avia Willment’s 1926 Frank Morgan Giles designed ‘Siris’, which Classic Boat ranks as one of their Top 200 most beautiful yachts in the World.
There were also a number of fun presentations such as The Stiff Drink Trophy, which went to Jeremy John’s ‘Matambu’ for sheer determination in completing the Around The Island Race, finishing precisely 1 second before the time limit. The Lallow Cup for the best-presented new entrant was awarded to ‘Jour de Fete’, and the Seamanship Award presented by Classic Boat went to Murdoch McKillop’s 8 Metre ‘Saskia’ for their rapid rescue of bowman Mark “Gonz” Gonzolez who slipped overboard during an unexpectedly quick tack.
The regatta concludes tomorrow, Saturday 25 July, with a Parade of Sail past the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green at 11.00.
Report by Fiona Brown
North American Region
2015 Kettenburg and Classic Yacht Regatta (June 26 – 28)
The 2015 regatta was held at San Diego Yacht Club on June 26 through June 28. The KCY Regatta is an outgrowth of AMSS’ long-running Kettenburg Regatta, which was first held in 1994. The 2015 edition is the fifth anniversary of the expanded format launched in 2011 that invited participation by all classic wooden boats of all kinds.
Note – Video of the 2014 Regatta
The 2015 Transatlantic Yacht Race (June 21 – July 24)
One of the greatest stories of this Transatlantic Race 2015 was the participation of Dorade, the 53’ yacht that a young Olin Stephens, of S&S design house fame, campaigned in this same race 84 years ago. Although Dorade didn’t win this years race she finished in just under 14 days 23 hours to take more than a day off Olin Stephens’ 1931 time.
Designed by the legendary Nathanael Green Herreshoff and built by the world-renown Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., Mariette of 1915 entered the 2015 Transatlantic Race 2015 as a celebration of her 100th birthday. Charlie Wroe of Falmouth, GBR was skipper of the 140-foot-long, twin-masted schooner, Mariette. Mariette of 1915 started on June 28th and set a blistering pace finishing in 12 days, 7 hours and 21 minutes. She placed 3rd in IRC overall against the newest, most up to date yachts in the world. She was 1st in IRC Class 4 and 1st in the Classics Division, ahead of second place finisher Dorade.
The 2015 Eggemoggin Reach Regatta (August 1)
Steve White and Frank Hull, both of Brooklin Boatyard, started the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta in 1985, imagining the race itself to be just one part of an opportunity for the owners and crews of these gorgeous wooden yachts to get together. A large feast, awards ceremony, and dancing into the night, await the return of the over 700 people that participate in this race each year. The first fleet of just 13 boats soon grew to more than 100. making for exciting and beautiful starts as all the boats jockey for position. The race is now co-hosted by Brooklin Boatyard and Rockport Marine. This year’s race was held on August 1st, 2015, under beautiful skies and exhilarating breezes. Results can be found at www.erregatta.com.
The 2015 Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta (August 8-9)
The first regatta of the North American Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge was held at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, Massachusetts and participants saw a mixture of weather conditions, ranging from light on Saturday to brisk conditions on Sunday that left half of the fleet DNF for race 2.
The 1907 N.G. Herreshoff (NEITH) was the overall winner of the W. Starling Burgess Trophy, and was presented with the coveted PCYC prize – the Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days Acciaio – 47mm (PAM00514).
Vintage Class:
Grand Classic Winner: 1907 N.G. Herreshoff – NEITH
Corinthian Classic Winner: The 1938 Sparkman & Stephens – BLACK WATCH
Day Racer Winner: 1937 Fred Goeller Designed – ADAMANT
Grand Prix Class:
Grand Prix Yacht Division: – Taylor 54 – GLORY
Grand Prix Day Racer – 1936 C. Raymond Hunt – DAGGER
The 2015 Opera House Cup (August 16)
The 72′ German Frers designed FOGGY, with her towering 104′ red carbon fiber mast, carbon fiber black sails, 19,000 lbs carbon foil keel drawing 12.5′, was first to finish, and was fast enough to win, on corrected time, the coveted Opera House Cup trophy…the regattas 43rd edition.
The magnificent, last remaining Herreshoff New York 50, SPARTAN took second place honors, with the A. Sidney D. Herreshoff 2002 recreation GALAVANT taking third place honors.
The following NY40 Marilee video, from Camille Conover, captured the essence of this years race.
NY40 MARILEE-Opera House Cup from Camille Conover on Vimeo.
The 2015 Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta (August 21-23)
Saturday Results
(CRF – A) 1. THE BLUE PETER – 2. MARILEE – 3. FALCON
(CRF – B) 1. RUWEIDA V – 2. AMORITA – 3. CARA MIA
(CRF – C) 1. ADAMANT – 2. EMMALINA – 3. ISHI
(H-12 Class) 1. QUETENIS – 2. CUPCAKE – 3. RHODE ISLAND RED
(S-Class) 1. SWALLOW – 2. OSPREY – 3. SQUAW
(Spirit of Tradition) 1. WILD HORSES – 2. IOLANTHE – 3. ISHI
Sunday Results (Race To Newport)
(CRF – A) 1. MARILEE (Corrected Time 1:45:26) – 2. THE BLUE PETER (Corrected Time 2:0:51) – 3. RUGOSA (Corrected Time 2:8:18)
(CRF – B) 1. BELLE (Corrected Time 1:51:1) – 2. RUWEIDA V (Corrected Time 1:52:57) – 3. CHEROKEE (Corrected Time 2:4:48)
(S-Class) 1. OSPREY – 2. SWALLOW – 3. MISCHIEF
The 2015 Museum Of Yachting Classic Yacht Regatta (September 5-6)
Founded in 1980 by a group of enthusiasts who wanted to promote the culture of classic yachting, the Museum of Yachting Classic Yacht Regatta brings dozens of boats built by some of the greatest American masters (Herreshoff, Sparkman & Stephens) from all over the region each year to vie for the final stage of the North American Circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, which takes place in the waters of Narragansett Bay.
Newport (Rhode Island, USA) famous for its Mansions and particularly its long history of sailing – for many years host city to the America’s Cup – is one of the leading locations in New England and certainly one of the nation’s cultural centres for classic yachting.
Saturday Corrected Time Cumulative Race Results (Long Coarse Race 1)
Conditions: Light 2-13 mph
1. RUWEIDA
2. MINK
3. ROGUE
1st – USA R/3 – RUWEIDA V – R Class (Starling Burgess) Joseph Huber – CRF 30.7 – 05/Sep/15 – 16:25:13 – Elapsed Time: 0:01:05:13 – Corrected Time: 0:00:51:58
2nd – D 3 – MINK – Buzzards Bay 25 (Herreshoff) Brad Baker – CRF – 23.1 – 05/Sep/15 – 16:34:34 – Elapsed Time: 0:01:14:34 – Corrected Time: 0:00:56:06
3rd – 206 – ROGUE – Newport 29 Ctm (Herreshoff) Seville Simonds – CRF – 29.0 – 05/Sep/15 – 16:21:28 – Elapsed Time: 0:01:11:28 – Corrected Time: 0:00:57:15
Saturday Corrected Time Cumulative Race Results (Short Coarse Race 2)
1. LUCIE
2. BELLE
3. CHEROKEE
1st – USA 55 – LUCIE – 6 Meter – Jens Lange – CRF 31.8 – 05/Sep/15 – 15:33:03 Elapsed Time: 0:01:13:03 – Corrected Time: 0:01:00:25
2nd – L2 – BELLE (Spin) – Luders 24 – Joe Loughborough CRF 33.5 – 05/Sep/15 – 15:33:41 Elapsed Time: 0:01:13:41 Corrected Time: 0:01:01:56
3rd – USA 53 – CHEROKEE – 6 Meter – Jerry Goldlust – CRF 32.0 – 05/Sep/15 – 15:39:08 – Elapsed Time: 0:01:19:08 – Corrected Time: 0:01:06:35
Sunday Corrected Time Cumulative Race Results (Long Coarse Race 2)
Conditions: Gusting SSW 13-18 mph
1. NASHUA
2. VALIANT
3. WEATHERLY
1st – W.46 US-4 – NASHUA – W-Class. W.46 – Wendy Schmidt – CRF 35.4 – 06/Sep/15 – 15:54:19 Elapsed Time: 0:03:04:19 – Corrected Time: 0:02:25:34
2nd – USA 24 – VALIANT – 12 Metre – Gary Gregory – CRF 58.7 – 06/Sep/15 – 15:30:02 – Elapsed Time: 0:02:40:02 – Corrected Time: 0:02:26:48
3rd – US 17 – WEATHERLY – 12 Metre – Jay Schachne CRF 55.8 – 06/Sep/15 – 15:43:16 – Elapsed Time: 0:02:43:16 – Corrected Time: 0:02:27:50
Sunday Corrected Time Cumulative Race Results (Short Coarse Race 2)
1. LUCIE
2. LEAF
3. BELLE
1st – USA 55 – LUCIE – 6 Meter – Jens Lange – CRF 31.8 – 06/Sep/15 – 13:24:53 – Elapsed Time: 0:01:14:53 – Corrected Time: 0:00:59:52
2nd – L24 7 – LEAF – Luders 24 – Chris Bouzaid – CRF 32.0 – 06/Sep/15 – 13:25:45 – Elapsed Time: 0:01:15:45 – Corrected Time: 0:01:00:50
3rd – L2 – BELLE (Spin) – Luders 24 – Joe Loughborough – CRF 33.5 – 06/Sep/15 – 13:26:19 – Elapsed Time: 0:01:16:19 – Corrected Time: 0:01:02:21
Full Race Results (Race 1)
Full Race Results (Race 2)
Full Race Results (Race 3)
