Panerai British Classic Week came to a spectacular conclusion with one final round the cans race for all classes in glorious sunshine and a perfect Solent sea breeze. Royal Yacht Squadron Racing set courses that took the fleet west down Cowes Green and then brought them back together off Beaulieu for a thrilling massed reach into the finish.
Whooper Wins Classic Boat Long Inshore Race on Day 5 of Panerai British Classic Week 2016
The fifth day of Panerai British Classic Week produced some interesting weather, some challenging racing and confirmed of the overall winner in several classes. The 6 and 8 Metre Classes raced two further round the cans races, whilst Classes 1 to 4 took part in the Classic Boat Long Inshore Race.
Incomparable Sailing for Incomparable Yachts on Day 4 of Panerai British Classic Week 2016
Tim Blackman of the 1947 Philip Rhodes Bermudan Yawl Infanta summed up day four of Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes perfectly saying, “An incomparable day’s sailing in the Solent for incomparable yachts.” Two around the cans races were completed, the first with individual class starts and the second with Classes 1 to 4 starting together.
Glorious Conditions for EFG Around the Island Race at Panerai British Classic Week 2016
The EFG Around the Island Race on day three of Panerai British Classic Week was sailed in glorious hot sunshine and great breeze. The fleet started to the east on a favourable flood tide, which many underestimated resulting in a General Recall. They got away on the second attempt with eight boats individually recalled, only three of which returned.
Frustrating Conditions on Day Two of Panerai British Classic Week 2016
The second day of racing at Panerai British Classic Week brought glorious sunshine, but a frustrating lack of solid breeze. The Race Committee’s decision not to run the Around the Island Race today was vindicated, but despite their best efforts it was only possible to complete a significantly truncated race for the 6 Metre and 8 Metre Classes.
Spectacular Parade and a Great First Race Open Panerai British Classic Week 2016
The opening day of Panerai British Classic Week 2016 featured a spectacular Parade of Yachts in which Jonathan Perry, Rear Commodore Yachting of the Royal Yacht Squadron, took the salute as the yachts streamed past the Royal Yacht Squadron.
Antipodean Teams Set to join the fun at Panerai British Classic Week 2016
With less than a week to go until the start of Panerai British Classic Week, boats and teams from across the globe are preparing to converge on Cowes for the UK’s biggest and most prestigious annual classic regatta. Based at Cowes Yacht Haven and running from 16 to 22 July 2016, the event will feature some 60 stunning classic yachts. Teams will travel from across the UK and Europe and from as far afield as New Zealand and Australia to compete.
Good Entry for Regatta
© Chris Brown
With entries still coming in it looks like there will about 60 yachts for the 2016 Panerai British Classic Week regatta. There will be close competition within the Eight Metres with six entries, as well as a welcome return of the Solent Six Metre class. New for this year the fleet will have trackers fitted to each yacht to enable live updates on the racing as well as a record of the history of each boat’s progress around the race course.
The Classic Yacht associations of Australia and New Zealand have entered with three identical Morgan Giles cruiser races on charter especially for the Regatta and have stated that they are not just here to cruise. There will be an active programme for those who do not wish to race, which will include the iconic Mariquita who will be appearing for the week as a relaxed cruising entry.
Many familiar names will be in Cowes with over 40 BCYC members entered as well as a number of first time visitors from Holland and France.
Regatta News
© Chris Brown
The Notice of Race has been posted and applications are now open. Entries are coming in from as far afield as New Zealand and Australia, as well as Yorkshire! After lengthy deliberation the BCYC Committee has decided that the Around the Island race will be part of the Regatta and count for the overall prize. In the spirit of the founding ethos of the Club, it was felt that this would ensure that only yachts which are capable of passage making will be eligible to win the Regatta. The direction of the race will be determined by the weather forecast and the start will be timed to assist the successful transit of any tidal gate. As usual there will be an alternative course in the Solent for yachts which choose not to go around the Island but this will not count towards the overall points.
The racing format for the week will be the same as last year but the intention is for the starts to be less “exciting”. There will be an active cruising programme for those who wish to enjoy the week but do not intend to race. This will include Mariquita who has expressed their intention to spend a relaxed week cruising.
New this year, there will be trackers on every racing yacht to provide real time information on the progress of each race. This will also permit replays of races in the lounge as well as later to enliven cold winter evenings and to provide endless hours of entertainment for armchair tacticians.
We look forward to welcoming you to Cowes for a week of good fun afloat and good companionship ashore.
Rufus Gilday
BCYC Secretary
