2012 Panerai British Classic Week dates announced

By Martha Williamson on 27 Jan7-14 July 2012

The British Classic Yacht Club (BCYC), in conjunction with their event sponsor Officine Panerai, are delighted to announce the dates for the eleventh edition of the Club's annual Cowes regatta for classic and vintage yachts of all sizes.

Panerai British Classic Week will take place from Saturday 7th July to Saturday 14th July. As in previous years, competing yachts will be berthed at Cowes Yacht Haven on the Isle of Wight.

As one of the highlight events during an exceptional summer of sailing regattas in the UK, the 2012 regatta commences two weeks before the beginning of the London Olympics. More than 70 of the world's most iconic classic and vintage yachts are expected to compete in the largest event of its type in Britain. For the first time, invitations are also being sent to the J Class yachts which will arrive in the UK for their own regatta in Falmouth at the end of June.

Another highlight will be the addition of Eilean, the 1936 built Fife yacht that, following her recent restoration by Officine Panerai, will make her UK regatta debut in Cowes following a programme of events in London in June.

Not since 2001 has such a large and historically significant collection of classic yachts gathered in UK waters. BCYC Commodore David Murrin said "There is a real sense of anticipation around this year's regatta. We're in close contact with all of our members and the skippers and owners of the J Class yachts who we would like to welcome for the first time at our regatta this year. The addition of our event village in Cowes Yacht Haven also means that we are now able to welcome the public to participate in the event shore-side and have the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful spectacle."

Panerai British Classic Week forms part of the 2012 Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Series, which runs from April to September each year and includes some of the world's leading classic yacht regattas such as Antigua Classic Week and the Régates Royales in Cannes.

The Panerai British Classic Week organisers again promise a full schedule of racing and exciting social events for competing skippers and their crews. The 2012 racing programme will include a number of long and short course day races around the environs of the Solent.

Expressions of interest are now being taken and entries for the eleventh edition of the Panerai British Classic Week will open early April. More details on the event, including the official Notice of Race, will be posted on the BCYC website www.britishclassicyachtclub.org/regatta in due course, further information about the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge can also be found on www.paneraiclassicyachtschallenge.com