Overall victory for Whitehawk in the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta

The breeze was still in but had moderated enough to allow shifts make a big impact on performance. Several classes were decided on the last day of racing. Overall victory as well as first place in the Classic Class went to the American clipper-bowed classic 105′ ketch Whitehawk which received an Officine Panerai watch. Other overall prizes went to Lily Maid (Vintage), Nazgull of Fordell (Spirit of Tradition), Genesis (Best Elapsed Time) and Desiderata (Classic GRP).

In Vintage Class A, Carlo Falcone’s Alfred Mylne-designed ketch Mariella won the last race of the regatta to take the class title by just one point from Scott Franz’s Herreshoff 72, Ticonderoga. Trygve Bratz’s Vinzenzo Baglietto 88 Sincerity suffered a torn mainsail, which put her out of the running for the class but she still gamely managed to finish third overall.

Gerald Rainer describes himself as the “caretaker” of the stunning 65? Herreshoff Mary Rose. The boat is lovingly maintained and manned by a merry crew. In fact, there was a lot of singing dockside as the latter celebrated winning the last race and Vintage Class B.

“We come here every year because of the friends and the singing. It is the best atmosphere in the world,” smiled Gerald Rainer. “People come from all over the world because this is a very special regatta. The racing this year has been exceptional. Take today, we raced for three hours and kept meeting with Ticonderoga and Juno at marks. We were cheering each other on all the way around the course and, at the finish, we were just a few seconds apart. The Classic is a truly amazing regatta.”

In Vintage Class C, Michael Jarrald’s British 66? cutter Lily Maid had an outstanding regatta, winning all four races and taking the overall Vintage class title. Robert Soros’ American Nat Benjamin 65 Juno also claimed a perfect set of results, as did Eleda, Ross Gannon’s family boat which was co-designed by Antonio Salguero. The duel between Stormvogel and Whitehawk was decided in the last race. Ralph Isham’s Bruce King 105? ketch Whitehawk took the gun and the prize in the last race.

Founded in Florence in 1860 as a workshop, shop and school of watch-making, for many decades Officine Panerai supplied the Italian Navy in general, and its specialist diving corps in particular, with precision instruments. The designs developed by Panerai in that time, including the Luminor and Radiomir, were covered by the Military Secrets Act for many years and were launched on the international market only after the brand was acquired by the Richemont Group in 1997. Today Officine Panerai develops and crafts its movements and watches at its Neuchâtel manufacture. The latter are a seamless melding of Italian design flair and history with Swiss horological expertise. Panerai watches are sold across the world through an exclusive network of distributors and Panerai boutiques. www.panerai.com

In honor of its historic links to the sea, Officine Panerai has promoted classic sailing culture for many years through its sponsorship of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the leading international circuit for these vintage craft. In 2007, the company also acquired and restored the Bermudan ketch Eilean. Built in 1936 by the legendary Fife yard at Fairlie in Scotland, she is now the brand’s ambassador at vintage and classic boat rallies and regattas.