Les Voiles d'Antibes, the first regatta of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2012 in the Mediterranean, closed its doors yesterday evening after four days of regattas in the Baie des Anges. This 17th edition was not really lucky with the weather, mainly cloudy with a light wind… but it was a real pleasure to once again follow these stately ladies sailing in front of the old city of Antibes.
Divided into nine categories, the 54 classic sailing yachts of the fleet were composed of very large sailing yachts, the flagship being the 40m Fife designed yacht Cambria this year, but also some small ones like the beautiful Jour de Fête helmed by Bruno Troublé founder of the Louis Vuitton Cup, and some very old ones like Marigold built in 1892.
Moonbeam IV won the "Big Boats" category, Savannah the "Esprit de Tradition" category, Leonore the "Epoque Marconi" category (above 15m), Marigold the "Epoque Aurique" category (below 23m), Helen K33 the "Epoque Marconi" category (below 15m), Stella Polare the "Classic Marconi" category (above 15m), Arcadia the "Classic Marconi" category (below 15m) and Naif won the "Classic Racer" category.
With only two competitors this year, the '12m JI' category saw the victory of South Australia over Kookaburra III.
Les Voiles d'Antibes was again a successful event on the water and also on the piers, and the rendezvous is already scheduled for the 18th edition in 2013. The next regatta of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge will take place in Santo Stefano for the Argentario Sailing Week between the 14-17 June.