Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes - Day 1
by Panerai UK Press Office 18 Jul 2011 16:44 BST
17-23 July 2011
A windy start in Cowes
The opening day of the 2011 Panerai British Classic Week dawned wet and windy. So windy in fact that the informal Panerai Classic Around The Island Race, which was to have opened the regatta, had to be cancelled in the face of force seven winds and a big spring tide which combined to create very rough conditions.
A wander around the dock rapidly revealed that although disappointed not to race, the owners and crews of the 71 entrants were all in full agreement with Race Officer Tony Lovell's decision to cancel sailing. If that decision needed any vindication it certainly got it at lunchtime when a particularly vicious squall went through laying flat several modern race boats sailing upwind just off the Royal Yacht Squadron.
Andy King, owner of the 1929 Rasmussen designed International 30 Square Metre 'Gluckauf', and his crew were clearly very pleased to be staying ashore explaining that whilst the boat is fondly known in the classics community as the 'Flying Toothpick' because of her low freeboard and narrow beam, in strong winds her crew refer to her as the 'Submarine', since they spend as much time going through the waves as over them. Even before the official call came they had already made the decision not to race today as they did not want to risk damaging any gear before the official series begins tomorrow.
Classics sailors enjoy their racing, but they also love to spend time admiring each other's boats and exchanging tips and stories, so despite the lack of racing the dock is still a hive of activity. It's a stunning site to see all the boats lined up, many of them dressed overall and all flying their blue Panerai battle flags. The gleam of the varnish and their exquisite lines are attracting a steady stream of visitors keen to admire the yachts and find out more. Fortunately the sailors are always happy to talk about their boats.
Another thing to note about Classics sailors is that they are a very sociable bunch and the day has been one long series of cockpit coffee mornings, lunches and tea parties. Special thanks to Timmy Bailey and Peter Crockford for hosting the press team to a delicious Falmouth crab sandwich lunch aboard Richard Bond's 1938 Olin Stephens designed 49' Yawl 'Tomahawk', which arrived here yesterday from Falmouth. Peter too agreed that the decision not to race was the correct one explaining that they had only recently had a new mainmast fitted after breaking the old one twice during racing last year and were keen not to put it under too much pressure this early in the regatta.
Tomorrow one Solent race is scheduled with a committee boat start at noon. The forecast is for more strong winds and Tony Lovell is keeping a very close eye on the slow moving front that is causing the problem. With boats as old and precious as these - the oldest boat in the regatta is the 1888 'Wanhill' designed Gaff Cutter Thalia owned by David Aisher - decisions about when to cancel racing have to be taken with great care. It is hoped that by tomorrow the front may have moved northwest a little which will at least help to reduce the funnel effect down the Solent.
Tomorrow will also see the opening of the all-new Panerai Event Village in Cowes Yacht Haven. From 3pm Monday to Friday companies including photographer Beken of Cowes, Isle of Wight based Minghella's Ice Cream, and Classic Boat Magazine will welcome members of the public and competitors alike. The event village is free and there will be live music on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 5pm.
Centerpiece of the new Panerai Event Village will be the Panerai Lounge for competitors. Its design reflects the interior of a classic yacht and features a multi-lingual classic yachting book collection, a display of Panerai watches and a large touch screen TV showing the latest results and video from this week's regatta as well as from other events in the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge.
On Thursday morning more than 60 classic cars from the Historic Rallying Endurance Organisation (HERO) will also assemble at the Panerai Event Village to begin their summer reliability trials. To have such a large gathering of classic cars and classic yachts in one place is truly exceptional and members of the public are invited to visit the Panerai Event Village and enjoy the spectacle.
Racing at the 2011 Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes runs through until Friday 22 July. On the morning of Saturday 23 July all participating yachts in the regatta are cordially invited to participate in a Parade of Sail.
Full details on the 2011 Panerai Classic Week in Cowes can be found on the BCYC website.