Written by 
OLD SCHOOL SAILING – The Scottish designer and builder would have liked the second day of the Régates Royales-Trophée Panerai 2012. William Fife has signed no less than twelve yachts that got a win in their respective class. Gusts and light air, sun and rain, it was all there.
Nan of Fife (1896), Pen Duick (1898), Iona (1899), Moonbeam of Fife 3 (1903), Mariska (1908), Mariquita (1911), Moonbeam 4 (1914), Hallowe’en (1926), Cambria (1928), Eilean (1936), Vanity V (1936) and the replica Sunshine (2003) are all boats signed by William Fife and successfully racing in Cannes.
The weather conditions were all but stable today, strong gusts alternating to light airs, transforming the Bay of La Napoule almost in a mountain lake. Finally the five classes started in a flimsy five knots south-easterly to cover a coastal rectangular course around 9 miles long. It was a short lived pleasure as the wind almost completely disappeared, leaving sails flapping, boats trailing in the residual waves.
The fleet was left scattered over the bay while a massive rainstorm, almost a flood, hit. Luckily enough and shortly afterward the sun and the wind made their reappearance allowing the race to be sailed, albeit on a reduced course. Only Milena, was not able to finish due to an unfortunate dismasting caused by a broken backstay: the mast fell down and broke in two pieces forcing the crew led by skipper Jacques Anderruthy to motor back to the marina to clear up the chaos on deck.
The first boat to cross the line was, once more, Shamrock V but on corrected time the win went to Jacques Fauroux’s Dilong Catleya in the Spirit of Tradition class. In the Vintage class Arcadia signs her first victory at the 34th Régates Royales de Cannes while one of the smallest boats racing, Dainty scored a first in the under 15 metres Marconi class, Leonore in the over 15 metre class. Thendara won in the Big Boats division and Bona Fide confirmed her leadership among the gaffers.
For more go to regatesroyales.com
Follow Us!