Classic Yacht Regatta - Sonny takes top classic prize
by Melissa Flaherty on 19 Sep 2014
35th Annual Classic Yacht Regatta Cory Silken
Sparkman & Stephens-designed 53’ Sloop Sonny, owned by Newport’s own Joe Dockery, once again took away the regatta’s top classic racing prize at the Museum of Yachting (MoY) 35th Annual Classic Yacht Regatta, presented by Officine Panerai.
The racing took place August 30-31 in the historically-nautical, charming city of Newport, RI. More than 50 classic sailing vessels participated in the final segment of the fifth annual Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge (PCYC) – North American Circuit. The North American Circuit of the PCYC is comprised of the Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta (held August 9-10, Marblehead, MA), the Opera House Cup (held August 17, Nantucket, MA), and culminated with the MoY Classic Yacht Regatta, held at historic Fort Adams State Park over Labor Day weekend. The MoY Classic Yacht Regatta celebrated its 35th year, and internationally Panerai is celebrating '10 Years of Passion' since first launching their global classic yachting regatta series in 2005. All of the MoY competing vessels hoisted white '10 Years of Passion' flags to salute the milestone.
This year’s MoY race will be most remembered by being the first Classic Yacht Regatta to have all four classic New York Yacht Club One Designs racing together, inclusive of competitors from the legendary S&S NY-32 class (designed in 1936) alongside Herreshoff NY-30 (1905), NY-40 (1916) and NY-50 (1914) class yachts.
On Sunday morning, many of the participating yachts took part in the Newport tradition of proudly hoisting their yacht club pennants and Panerai battle flags and circling Newport’s inner harbor for the Annual Classic Yacht Parade. Parade awards winners were Irene for 'Best Sail'; 'Best Power' was awarded to Corsair; and 'Best Costumes' was won by the crew on Wild Horses. The thrill of a 'photo finish' happened when two of Herreshoff’s famous 'Fighting Forties', NY-40 class yachts Rugosa and her sister- ship Marilee charged across the finish line side-by-side after a grueling day of competition.
