Luxury Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille’s spectacular photo gallery of its inaugural classic superyacht regatta last summer celebrates the return of the prestigious Cup event starting in Falmouth, Cornwall, on June 2 and ending in Le Havre, France, on June 15.
Falmouth Harbour will again showcase the first events of the two-week competition featuring schooners and cutters, some of which are well over a century old, joining from around the world for races and social events hosted by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club.
As the impressive pictures from last summer illustrate, after three days the fleet will race to Dartmouth in Devon, then Cowes, Isle of Wight and on to the finish at Le Havre with each leg hosted by home yacht clubs the Royal Dart, the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Société des Régates du Havre in France.
The regatta will gather a fleet of around 12 of the finest classic superyachts afloat, competing for the prestigious Richard Mille Cup itself. This meter high trophy was specially commissioned for last year’s inaugural event and designed by Garrard, jewellers to the British Royal Family and designers of the America’s Cup around 170 years ago.
Richard Mille says, “This is the ideal environment to admire the magnificence and beauty of these classic yachts from the pre-war era and the involvement of the Yacht Clubs allows owners and admirers alike to come together in the true spirit of the event.”
The launch events will bring around 500 competitors and their guests to Falmouth as well as hundreds of spectators, crowds of whom last year took to the water or lined the coast around Falmouth Harbour and Bay, St Mawes and St Anthony Headland to watch the majestic vessels’ fierce competition.
OrganiSer and classic yacht expert Dr William Collier says, “The combination of day and passage races with the opportunity to sail and visit iconic locations is unique to the Richard Mille Cup and has proven very popular with owners of some of the finest yachts in the world. We are looking forward to welcoming them back and hosting this unique sporting event.”
The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club has been a feature of Falmouth’s harbourfront since 1871 and as a vibrant club today hosts many national and international events. During last year’s Richard Mille Cup the RCYC Sailing Trust took eighty local young people out on the water to watch the racing aboard the pleasure boat Princessa and proved such a focus that Richard Mille will be supporting a similar outing this year.
Event Co-ordinator at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club Sarah Hancock says, “In welcoming back the Richard Mille Regatta, we have fingers tightly crossed that the wind conditions will be kind, allowing our experienced and skilled race management team to provide courses that will test the competitors and provide spectacular viewing for those watching.
“It’s important to us that the wider community feels included, with the opportunity to enjoy what is a very rare sight in this country. Like last year our young people will have a memorable day out aboard the Princessa, feeling very much part of the event and even sporting the same branded Richard Mille regatta hats and wristbands worn by the race team and crews.
“We hope that we can contribute to the promotion of our local area, hosting the owners and crews for an opening reception at Trelissick House with its stunning views over the Carrick Roads and for prizegiving at the National Maritime Museum.”
Some of the competing Richard Mille yachts have been restored or refitted on many occasions over the years by Falmouth’s own superyacht specialists Pendennis Shipyard – in between their voyaging and competing across the world.
Falmouth Harbour CEO Miles Carden says, “Falmouth is an incredibly hospitable Harbour town – added to which it’s the third deepest natural harbour in the world with a history steeped in boatbuilding and global voyages.
“Mooring and berthing in the heart of our inner harbour accentuates the spectatorship of the Richard Mille Cup for the community and for crews and guests – an opportunity to step straight off these beautiful boats into our vibrant town.
“Last year’s event was an incredible highlight and although hosting vessels of these sizes and prestige is not without its complexities it was all do-able thanks to a brilliant Harbour team and great spectator fleet. We are delighted and excited to again be hosting the start of this incredible race.”
The Richard Mille contenders are invited owners and charterers of yachts built before 1939 or faithful replicas of such yachts, with vessels competing in the Schooner and Cutter categories.
The second edition Richard Mille Cup will take place from June 2 to June 15 with further details of the events, races and competing vessels announced and updated at www.richardmillecup.com
