PANERAI CLASSIC YACHTS CHALLENGE 2017

OFFICINE PANERAI CONTINUES ITS EXTRAORDINARY COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING CLASSIC SAILING WITH THE 13TH EDITION OF THE LEADING INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT FOR THE GRANDES DAMES OF THE SEA. The Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge has long been acknowledged as the leading international circuit for classic and vintage sailing yachts. Celebrating its 13th outing in 2017, the circuit spans 10 of the world’s most fascinating and maritime tradition-rich regattas on a calendar that has become a reference point for lovers of the stunning beauty, glorious history and absolute uniqueness of all classic craft. “I can say with great pride that our commitment to safeguarding and fostering classic sailing is both unparalleled and unprecedented on an international level,” declared Officine Panerai CEO Angelo Bonati. “This is our 13th consecutive year to sponsor the circuit and throughout that long period, we have seen many extraordinary events flourish with us and witnessed the rebirth of some stunning vintage craft as a result of the commitment and passion of many enthusiasts”. As per tradition, the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge rounds in France (Antibes, Cannes), Italy (Argentario) and Spain (Mahon on the island of Minorca) comprise the Mediterranean Circuit. The yachts participating in each of the events on the Circuit build up points which go towards winning the overall Trophy. In previous years, the latter has been won by some of the most famous craft in sailing history, not least creations by the illustrious likes of William Fife III (Cambria built in 1928, Mariquita built in 1911, Moonbeam IV built in 1914) and Nathanael Greene Herreshoff (Chinook built 1
in 1916 and Leonore built in 1925) as well as Italian Naval vessels (Chaplin built in 1974 and Stella Polare built in 1965), past Olympic stars (Bona Fide built in 1899, gold medallist at the Paris Olympics in 1900) and those with history-making owners (Manitou built in 1937, once owned by President John Fitzgerald Kennedy). Also participating in the Mediterranean regattas will be Eilean, the Bermudan ketch designed in 1936 by William Fife III and acquired in 2009 by Officine Panerai which then restored and relaunched her. The Marblehead, Newport and Nantucket regattas allows participating boats to compete for the second Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Trophy, which is presented to the winner of the North American Circuit, staged each August and September in the waters of New England. For the last two years, the North American Trophy has been in the hands of Siren, a member of the NY-32 class designed in 1936 by Olin Stephens of the legendary Sparkman & Stephens. Aside from the two overall Mediterranean and North American Trophies, the winners of the individual events – including the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and the Panerai British Classic Week, which for geographical reasons are not included in either Circuit – will receive a Panerai watch as their prize. Since it designed and produced the first watch for the Italian Royal Navy’s specialist diving corps in 1936, Panerai has been creating precision instruments that combine striking Italian design with leading-edge Swiss watchmaking technology, making them ideal for sea-lovers. CALENDAR 2017 ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA 19th – 25th April 2017 LES VOILES D’ANTIBES 31st May – 4th June 2017 ARGENTARIO SAILING WEEK 15th – 18th June 2017 PANERAI BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK 8th – 15th July 2017 MARBLEHEAD CORINTHIAN CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA 11th – 13th August 2017 NANTUCKET REGATTA 18th – 19th August 2017 NANTUCKET OPERA HOUSE CUP 20th August 2017 MAHON, XIV COPA DEL REY DE BARCOS DE EPOCA 29th August – 2nd September 2017 NEWPORT CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA 1st – 3rd September 2017 CANNES, RÉGATES ROYALES 26th – 30th September 2017 2
OFFICINE PANERAI Founded in Florence in 1860 as a workshop, shop and school of watch-making, for many decades Officine Panerai supplied the Italian Navy in general, and its specialist diving corps in particular, with precision instruments. The designs developed by Panerai in that time, including the Luminor and Radiomir, were covered by the Military Secrets Act for many years and were launched on the international market only after the brand was acquired by the Richemont Group in 1997. Today Officine Panerai develops and crafts its movements and watches at its Neuchâtel manufacture. The latter are a seamless melding of Italian design flair and history with Swiss horological expertise. Panerai watches are sold across the world through an exclusive network of distributors and Panerai boutiques. www.panerai.com www.facebook.com/paneraiofficial www.instagram.com/panerai www.twitter.com/paneraiofficial PANERAI CLASSIC YACHTS CHALLENGE In honour of its historic links to the sea, Officine Panerai has promoted classic sailing culture for many years through its sponsorship of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the leading international circuit for these vintage craft. In 2007, the company also acquired and restored the Bermudan ketch Eilean. Built in 1936 by the legendary Fife yard at Fairlie in Scotland, she is now the brand’s ambassador at vintage and classic boat rallies and regattas. www.paneraiclassicyachtschallenge.com www.facebook.com/PaneraiClassicYachtsChallenge www.youtube.com/pcycofficial www.eilean.it The Panerai Guide to Classic Yachts is available for download at: www.paneraiclassicyachtschallenge.com/panerai-guide- to-classic-yachts/