Cowes on the Isle of Wight is playing host this week to the 2014 edition of Panerai British Classic Week.
Last year we enjoyed a day of racing on the Solent as guests of Panerai and we feel sure that this years event will be every bit as spectacular as last.
Once again classic yachts from across the UK and Europe will come together to race and celebrate all that is best in classic yachting with some 50 yachts participating in this tenth anniversary edition of the regatta.
The fleet is always a spectacular sight and will once again feature a host of famous sailing yachts. This year the 1903 Charles Sibbick designed yawl Thalassa will be amongst those attending the event. Thalassa, owned by Nicholas Walker, is not only one of the oldest boats entered, but also has a fascinating history. She has been raced since her launch with considerable success including 3rd overall in the 1927 Fastnet.
The youngest boat attending will be the newly launched 74’ Spirit of Galatea, designed by Sean McMillan. Built by Spirit Yachts of Ipswich, she will join Panerai British Classic Week as a cruising entry, taking part in the Around The Island Race sponsored by EFG International on Monday 14 July.
Another fascinating yacht to look out for will be John Porter’s Overlord, a 58’ Bermudan sloop built in 1936 by Abeking and Rasmussen for the Luftwaffe. She was part of a fleet of yachts used for training Luftwaffe navigators.
In 1945 Overlord and many other yachts in the Luftwaffe fleet were taken as prizes of war at Kiel and later included in the reparations agreement. Overlord was handed over to the British Armed Forces.