A legendary yacht for a legendary race

'Altair' by William Fife & Son 1931 © Panerai Transat Classique

With 1931 gaff schooner Altair taking the starting line on 7 January 2015 off Lanzarote, this is confirmation - if confirmation were needed - of the Panerai Transat Classique's burgeoning reputation in the lively world of classic yachting. And lively it is too when you consider fellow entrant Faiaoahe, after crossing the finishing line in Martinique, will be heading for the Pacific!

But back to Altair. The legendary schooner's entrance into the Panerai Transat Classique 2015 is sure to ratchet up the excitement among classic sailing fans. Designed by William Fife III, an architectural genius when it came to elegance and harmony of form, this stunning sailing vessel symbolizes for many the rebirth of traditional yachting during the 1980s. Back then survivors from the golden age of yachting were few and far between. And those that were lucky enough to avoid ending their days in the silt and sludge of some anonymous creek, suffered from poor maintenance or unfortunate modifications. Such was not the case for Altair. After thirty years in the hands of a careful Spanish yachtsman, her new British owner booked her into the famous shipyard Southampton Yacht Services for a thorough restoration in 1985. Since then Altair has regained her appearance of yore thanks to a strict adherence to authenticity not only in her fittings and fixtures but also her lines and layout. Being faithful to the past is now a popular philosophy among owners and shipyards, and for that we must be grateful because it allows us to enjoy, eighty long years after her launch, the magnificent silhouette of Altair.

Safety and performance

But as her skipper for the last nine years Stephane Benfield points out, entering the 130-foot Altair for the Panerai Transat Classique 2015 is a real challenge. "We're not here just to take part. Our objective is to get the best out of a boat that was designed for this kind of event." And indeed she was. In a letter dated 1929 Mr MacCaw, the man who commissioned the building of Altair, specified in no uncertain terms to William Fife III that what he wanted was "a sound, safe cruiser, safe to go to the south seas islands in with no anxiety". That circumnavigation may never have happened–perhaps one day–but Stephane believes in the abilities of his charge when it comes to long-distance cruising. "I have already made two return trips across the Atlantic with Altair. she was built for that, with a short mast and a heavy keel. She's at home in the open sea and a fresh stern wind, much more so than racing around three buoys." To ensure the success of his crossing Stephane is calling on a large crew: in addition to the usual crew of seven, the complement will include the current owner's two daughters and six other hands who are familiar with handling a gaffer. "I want to be able to fly the spinnaker and the gollywobbler [square sail set between the main mast and the foremast of a schooner] so we need an experienced crew. A big crew is good for safety—which is my priority—and it will allow us to fetch Martinique safe and sound."

And then... the Pacific!

Once in the West Indies, Altair will be enjoying a full sailing programme under Stephane's steady guidance: "We intend taking part in the various events in the Caribbean, including the Caribbean 600 [a 600 mile race between Saint Martin in the north and Les Saintes in the south], the Saint Barth's Bucket Regatta and the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta." And for the return trip? "We might carry on westward, through the Panama Canal, to discover another ocean. And then complete the circumnavigation that Altair was built for eighty years ago..." A fabulous project which resonates with the plans of another yacht in the Panerai Transat Classique fleet, Faiaoahe. Rémy Gérin's big sloop, which took second in real time in the first Transat Classique back in 2008, won't be heading back to Europe next spring but likewise will carry on into the Pacific Ocean. "In early April we will motor through the Panama Canal and then head for the Galapagos Islands. Then in June we'll set off on the big trip to Polynesia where we'll spend the summer with family." But Rémy doesn't intend to stop there.

Moitessier, Cape Horn and the Whale

With Faiaoahe, his pretty Spirit of Tradition designed by Guy Ribadeau-Dumas in 2006, Rémy Gérin wants to fulfil a dream: "In the autumn we'll head south towards Ushuaia where, in January, we'll take part in one of the events organized by Lionel Péan as part of the Drake & Horn Regatta 2016. Next we'll call in at Rio de Janeiro before heading home to France, via the Azores, in the summer of 2016." Totalling more than 15,000 nautical miles, Faiaoahe will be undertaking a voyage worthy of Bernard Moitessier and his faithful Joshua. Who says classic yachts don't sail! In the meantime Rémy has already delivered his boat to the Canaries, a pleasant run: "The highpoint of the trip had to be the swim off Casablanca in a flat calm, in the company of... a whale. Magic!" For the Panerai Transat Classique 2015 Faiaoahe will have a complement of ten: "There'll be women, men, young, not so young... a happy mix dedicating themselves to food, music and sailing. The size of the crew means we'll always have three people on deck, even at night, and I won't be taking a watch, so we'll be able to get the best out of her. The competition is going to be formidable." So, while she's waiting to set off for Martinique next 7 January in the company of the rest of the fleet of the Panerai Transat Classique 2015, Faiaoahe is champing at the bit in Lanzarote Marina and dreaming of the "mare incognita" to come.

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