Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2007

Officine Panerai have announced the sponsorship and official dates of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2007.

In its third edition of the circuit, the Challenge takes place at historic locations in the Mediterranean including Antibes, Argentario, Mahon, Porto Rotondo and Cannes. The Challenge has been increasingly successful since its inception in 2005, demonstrated by the growing list of competitors, with 300 yachts participating this year.

Each year the Challenge draws yachting enthusiasts from around the globe and the most magnificent sailing craft. Historic characters and new faces, ships barely restored and vessels already legendary, will once again be the overall stars of the circuit. The holders of the Challenge 2006, Giuseppe Giordano's Bona Fide (in the Vintage class) and Vittorio Cavazzana's Emeraude (Classic) will participate again this year.

The Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2007 Circuit is organized by AIVE (Associazione Italiana Vele d'Epoca / Italian Association of Vintage Yachts) and CIM (Comite International de la Mediterranee/International Mediterranean Committee), together with Officine Panerai. Five races are planned, as well as three transfers from one leg to another, making a total of eight events in which the participants are allotted points counting towards the final classification. The circuit begins at Antibes (FRA) for the "Voiles de Antibes", from May 30 to June 3; then the classic Argentario Sailing Week at Porto Santo Stefano from June 13 to 17; to Port Mahon in the Balearics (Spain), for the V "Copa del Rey de Barcos de Epoca", from August 28 to 31; then to Porto Rotondo in Sardinia from September 6 to 9; and finally the conclusion at Cannes (FRA), with the Regates Royales, from September 24 to 30. The first transfer will be the La Spezia-Porto Santo Stefano deep-sea race (8- 10 June), followed by Mahon-Porto Rotondo (September 1) and ending with Porto Rotondo-Cannes (September 17).

With the many parallels between the sport of classic yachting and the making of Panerai timepieces, skilled yachtsman and classic yachting enthusiasts hold a devotion to this brand that is unmatched in the industry. The world of traditional sailing, with its wooden vessels and timeless designs supported by the passion of yachting enthusiasts, is united with the values of haute horlogerie, well embodied in Officine Panerai, the leader and symbol of love for the traditions of the sea.