Panerai British Classic Week 2018 - Preview

Panerai British Classic Week day 6 © Ingrid Abery / www.ingridabery.com

Every July the old port of Cowes on the Isle of Wight and the legendary Solent – the strait separating the island from the mainland, famous for its unique and challenging combination of winds and tides – plays host to Panerai British Classic Week, which perfectly represents the high-end sports watch brand's commitment to the sea world, bringing together sailing enthusiasts from the UK and abroad.

Spectacular classic yachts will gather in Cowes Yacht Haven, the beating heart of the Isle of Wight's sailing community, to take part in the various races and activities. Highlights include the spectacular Concours d'Elegance (15th July), which will see all competing classic yachts and classic motor boats parade past the Royal Yacht Squadron, as well as the popular Open Yachts Pontoon Party on Tuesday, 17th July. For the first time this year, the race committee are delighted to host the NAB Tower Race, a day race around the Nab Tower which lies to the East of the Solent.

Close to 50 classic yachts have currently signed up for this year's regatta, amongst them some familiar faces, such as Saskia (1931), Cetewayo, or Flight of Ufford. Other outstanding yachts joining the regatta include Kismet (1898) and Suvretta (1924).

This year will also mark the first ever Panerai Challenger Trophy, a three-year project created by Panerai and the Royal Yacht Association (RYA): a new award that recognises an outstanding young person between the age of 8 – 18 years who has embraced the power of sailing or windsurfing to achieve a triumph that inspires us all. Through the RYA's OnBoard programme, all OnBoard clubs and training centers were encouraged to nominate a young sailor to win the Panerai Challenger Trophy.

In total, 40 applications from OnBoard sailing clubs were submitted, of which four young finalists were selected; each of them has overcome physical, economic or social challenges to achieve a significant milestone within sailing or windsurfing.

The trophy has been created by acclaimed design Duo Pinch Design, whose work is known to celebrate simplicity of form, the purity of a good shape and our emotional connection with the elements around us. Suitably to the occasion, the trophy will be made from wood, inspired by the craft of classic boat building. In addition, Panerai will also provide funding to the winner's and the winner's sailing club, as part of their ongoing support towards sailing and yachting for the next generation.

The runners-up and their respective sailing club will receive funding, too.

The trophy will be handed to the winning sailor during a dinner at the Royal Yacht Squadron on the 17th July; the four finalists will be attending the Awards dinner, as well as the team behind Pinch Design (Oona and Russell Pinch) and Ian Walker, two-time Olympic medallist.

After the Panerai British Classic Week, the next Mediterranean regatta in the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge will be Vele d'Epoca di Imperia, in North Western Italy, 5 – 9 September.

Find out more at www.britishclassicyachtclub.org/regatta