Race Venue 1 – 2017 Mediterranean Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge (May 31st – June 4th)

Since 1996, Les Voiles d’Antibes, organized every year around the first week of June, marks the opening of the Mediterranean circuit for the Yachts of Tradition, the Metric Classes as well as the first stage of the Mediterranean Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge

The beginning of the Med Race Circuit – Les Voiles d’Antibes – The race welcomes each year a selection of the most beautiful Yachts of the Classic Era built before before 1976, Spirit of Tradition and competitors of the America’s Cup from 1958 to 1987. All shaping the great history of International Yachting since the end of the 19th century.

For most participants, this prestigious gathering is the first major event of the Mediterranean season. Spring has returned, and the boats have joined their ports of call. Some have undergone renovation and modernization to optimize their performance, others have been sold or have changed crews. As a result, the participants renew themselves every year around a hard core of mythical boats such as Ikra, Sovereign, Thendara, Lelantina, Outlaw, Adria, Cambria, Mariska, Tuiga… which have long been present at all regattas. Each year, between five and fifteen new boats, appear on the circuit. They come out of recent restorations or renovations. Antibes being the first major gathering of the season, the sailors, owners and crews discover them and tell each other stories that contribute to the feast ashore.

Les Voiles d’Antibes / Panerai is also in the purest tradition of Yachting, 5 days of animations and conviviality of return to quay. The reception on shore is certainly one of the warmest of the circuit. Organized around a village designed on the theme of festivity and conviviality. Antibes, famous all over the world for its Jazz festival, which has associated music with sailing. Every day from 9 am to 10 pm, there are numerous exhibitions and animations on the themes of the Sea and the Environment, as well as cocktails, concerts, parades and many other surprises and challenges that every evening animate with joy and good mood the Village of the Sails and the Port Vauban.