Panerai is the Atlantic Yacht Club’s new partner in the Panerai Transat Classique 2012
By MyWatch
The classic sailing world is preparing for the most spectacular event of the season which this year also celebrates a first-time alliance of absolute excellence.Officine Panerai, the Italian sports haute horlogerie brand and long-time promoter of classic sailing through the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, is the Atlantic Yacht Club’s new partner in the Panerai Transat Classique 2012, a regatta that will see a fleet of dozens of stunning classic sailing yachts cast off on December 2nd to race their way across the Atlantic Ocean.
Hundreds of passionate owners, skippers and crew will be competing in a race that is much more than a mere celebration of the extraordinary elegance, beauty, craftsmanship and uniqueness of classic boats.The Panerai Transat Classique 2012 is also a challenge that pits human strength, courage and valour against the immense power of the sea. In fact, the participants will be sailing 4,000 miles of ocean on crafts that in certain cases are over a century old. They will be powered on their voyage not only by the winds and ocean currents but, more importantly, by the huge passion shared by all sea lovers.
The great ladies of the sea taking part in the Panerai Transat Classique 2012 cast off from Cascais, in Portugal, home to the prestigious Clube Naval de Cascais, bound for the Caribbean haven of Barbados, a real “treasure island” whose beauty alone will provide a first well-deserved reward for the competitors. The yachts may also accumulate points for the final standings in the course of two preliminary races, participation in which is optional. The latter start from Douarnenez in Brittany (July 22nd 2012) and Saint-Tropez (October 25th 2012), before the entire fleet gathers at Cascais to race its way across the Atlantic.
Almost 40 yachts have already entered the Panerai Transat Classique and amongst them are some of the most famous names in sailing history, including Pen Duick II, Moonbeam IV, Marianna and The Blue Peter. The winner will be presented with an Officine Panerai Special Edition watch (500 pieces) with the Panerai Transat Classique 2012 logo engraved on its case-back.
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.
In honour 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.
Atlantic Yacht Club has been established on very strong foundations consisting of a mixture of key ingredients: sailors and skippers having performed outstanding offshore races, passionate people willing to expand the boundaries of classic offshore challenges, and gentlemen wishing to maintain a strong spirit fair play in line with the finest tradition of seaman ship. After only few years of life, Atlantic Yacht Club has brought together an outstanding group of distinguished sailors who have together already sailed hundred thousands of miles of offshore races around the Globe. Atlantic Yacht Club makes all its efforts to make this Panerai Transat Classique 2012 a memorable event which will be second to none for all participants and lovers of classic yacht challenges.
Comet Organisation is an event based communication agency specialised in sailing races. Comet created and organised during the last few years, Transat Classique 2008, Brest Classic Week 2010 and Atlantic Trophy 2011. Comet organisation is in charge of the technical organisation of the Panerai Transat Classique 2012 and work closely with Fédération Française de Voile and ISAF on all of those international offshore races.
