Press Releases of The British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta 2010

The majority of the fleet for the British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta 2010 has assembled in Cowes Yacht Haven ahead of the scheduled start of racing on Monday 19th July.

This unique event, which is now in its ninth year, brings together some of the most beautiful vintage sailing craft for a full week of racing and socialising in Cowes, the spiritual home of classic yachting. This year the regatta has been boosted by its inclusion in 2010 Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Series. Sponsored by Italian watch manufacturer Panerai since 2005, this high profile series features many of the world’s leading classic yacht regattas, including the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and the Regates Royale, Cannes.

The strong winds which have prevailed in the UK for the last several days resulted in difficult delivery trips for many of the competing boats and the marina this afternoon was buzzing with tails of derring-do from several crews who seemed pleased to have made it to Cowes in more or less one piece. As many as ten of the fifty-five registered entries are still yet to arrive, but classic yacht owners are made of stern stuff and the regatta organisers are very hopeful of all the boats arriving in time to compete on day one.

As ever, the regatta includes a full programme of racing and social functions throughout the week. Racing will take place under the IRC handicap system and the fleet has been sub-divided into four racing classes. In addition, those owners and crews not inclined towards competition will have the opportunity to observe the racing and also engage in some more sedate cruising activity as part of the Rally Fleet.

The regatta kicks off on Monday 19th July with racing inside the confines of the Solent. Tuesday 20th July will see the fleet compete in a long distance race, which if weather permits will see them circumnavigate the Isle of Wight. Wednesday 21st July has been designated Challenge Day and offers competing owners the chance to challenge any other yacht bigger than their own to a boat-on-boat match race. Interest in this new initiative appears to be strong and owners could be seen prowling the docks this afternoon eyeing up potential adversaries. Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd July will see the competitors return to fleet racing to complete the overall series. On Saturday 24th July all yachts are invited to take part in a Parade of Sail to mark the of! ficial close of the regatta.

Media Information:
Daily results and press releases will be posted on the official regatta website at: www.britishclassicyachtclub.org/regatta

Daily press releases along with editorial free low-resolution images will be issued by email each evening.

High-resolution editorial free images via the official regatta photographer Mark Lloyd’s website: http://lloydimagesgallery.photoshelter.com/gallery/British-Classic-Yacht-Club-Panerai-Cowes-Regatta-2010

Daily VNR’s will be available on request. Please contact the Regatta Press Officer Justin Chisholm.

In addition, daily video roundups will be posted on www.sail.tv each evening.

Other media enquiries should be directed to:
Justin Chisholm
Regatta Press Officer
justin@justinchisholmsolutions.com

Martha Williamson
Sidhu & Simon Communications (For Panerai)
martha@sidhuandsimon.com
0207 491 9934

ABOUT THE BRITISH CLASSIC YACHT CLUB

The British Classic Yacht Club was formed in 2001 to provide a congenial environment for owners and other classic yacht enthusiasts to share experiences and enjoy each other's company. Affiliated to the RYA, the BCYC strives to represent the interests of classic yacht owners and has developed good relationships with many leading yacht clubs in the UK and abroad. The officers of the BCYC are actively involved in both national and international discussions about the future development of classic yachting.

The membership of the BCYC now consists of more than eighty boats. In addition to the Club’s flagship annual regatta held in Cowes each July, the Club also organises a full programme of other racing, cruising and social activities in the Solent and on the East Coast, including the popular East Coast Classic Regatta in early June. BCYC yachts also participate in many important sailing events, including classic regattas in the Channel, Mediterranean and West Indies.

ABOUT OFFICINE PANERAI
Founded in Florence in 1860, Officine Panerai was for many years the official supplier of precision instruments for the Italian Navy. Purchased by the Richemont Group in 1997 and subsequently launched on the international market, Officine Panerai is now Italy’s only fine watch making company. Developing and producing its own movements and watches, Officine Panerai uniquely blends Italian history and design with renowned Swiss craftsmanship.

ABOUT THE PANERAI CLASSIC YACHTS CHALLENGE
2010 sees the first inclusion of the British Classic Yacht Club Cowes Regatta in the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Series. Sponsored by Panerai since 2005, this high profile series features some of the world’s leading classic yacht regattas, including the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and the Regates Royale, Cannes.