Welcome to Régates Royales de Cannes -- one of the largest vintage yacht races in the world.
Sail away —
Welcome to Régates Royales de Cannes -- one of the largest vintage yacht races in the world.
Courtesy Panerai
Cannes might be better known for its annual film festival and extravagant superyachts, but for one week each year the French seaside town becomes a haven of historic nautical design.
Classic Cannes —
Cannes might be better known for its annual film festival and extravagant superyachts, but for one week each year the French seaside town becomes a haven of historic nautical design.
Courtesy Panerai
Around 3,000 sailors and 40,000 visitors descend on the glamorous French Riviera for the annual regatta, this year kicking off on September 24.
Iconic race —
Around 3,000 sailors and 40,000 visitors descend on the glamorous French Riviera for the annual regatta, this year kicking off on September 24.
Courtesy Panerai
More than 100 yachts will take part, with the regatta split into three categories -- those built before 1950, those built before 1975, and those built after 1975 but using classic designs.
Dramatic design —
More than 100 yachts will take part, with the regatta split into three categories -- those built before 1950, those built before 1975, and those built after 1975 but using classic designs.
Courtesy Panerai
"The fleet attending our regattas represents over a century of yachting history, spanning the spectrum from the sport's earliest days -- from the end of the 19th century to the present day," said Angelo Bonati, chief executive of sponsors Panerai.
Rich history —
"The fleet attending our regattas represents over a century of yachting history, spanning the spectrum from the sport's earliest days -- from the end of the 19th century to the present day," said Angelo Bonati, chief executive of sponsors Panerai.
Courtesy Panerai
Cannes is the final stop in the prestigious Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, featuring five regattas held in the Mediterranean and five on the north east coast of America.
World class —
Cannes is the final stop in the prestigious Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, featuring five regattas held in the Mediterranean and five on the north east coast of America.
Courtesy Panerai
The historic race first began in 1929, but was put on hold during the two world wars. It wasn't until 1978 that the regatta was relaunched in the hope of creating a world class tourist attraction in Cannes.
Tourist attraction —
The historic race first began in 1929, but was put on hold during the two world wars. It wasn't until 1978 that the regatta was relaunched in the hope of creating a world class tourist attraction in Cannes.
Courtesy Panerai
"When you race, especially a vintage yacht, you need to be able to work together as a team. You need experience, agility, safety and boat handling. Classic boats are not only beautiful and elegant. They are very delicate and you must learn to respect them," said Bonati.
Special skill —
"When you race, especially a vintage yacht, you need to be able to work together as a team. You need experience, agility, safety and boat handling. Classic boats are not only beautiful and elegant. They are very delicate and you must learn to respect them," said Bonati.
Courtesy Panerai
Sadly, this year's race follows the death of Cannes Yacht Club president, Jean-Claude Montesinos. "He would not have liked sadness to be part of the Régates Royales. So let's sail on with passion and maybe even come up smiling as we remember Jean-Claude's words," said Société des Régates des Cannes general manager, Gérard Pascalini.
In memory —
Sadly, this year's race follows the death of Cannes Yacht Club president, Jean-Claude Montesinos. "He would not have liked sadness to be part of the Régates Royales. So let's sail on with passion and maybe even come up smiling as we remember Jean-Claude's words," said Société des Régates des Cannes general manager, Gérard Pascalini.
Courtesy Regates Royale Cannes