LOG BOOK
213456The regatta attracts a hugely varied fl eet, from Dragons,
which have a strong base at Cannes, to the biggest classics
afl oat, this year including Elena of London (2003) and
Cambria (1928).
Turning heads were two immaculate P-Class yachts
from 1913, Olympian (Gardner) and Chips (Starling
Burgess), moored up side by side. Both were brought to
the Mediterranean by Bruno Troublé after major
restorations by John Anderson in Maine. We’ll be featuring
Chips in an issue of Classic Boat soon.
There was a healthy collection of small boats, among
them Dainty, well-known at Med and northern European
regattas as the fi rst Solent Sunbeam, built in 1923.
Part of the appeal of the Med classic regattas is their
accessibility and Cannes is no exception, with the old stone
quay packed with onlookers as the boats docked each
afternoon. Later, sail-stowing and hosing down gave way
to impromptu parties on board and dancing on the quay,
the fl eet’s fl oodlit wooden spars and
rigging as a marvellous backdrop.
Sponsor Panerai put on a sumptuous crew party on the
penultimate night, while a special birthday party was held
earlier in the week for all those yachts marking
anniversaries, among them S&S Skylark (CB351) and the
Tore Holm sloop Havsörnen, both built in 1937. Havsörnen
will feature in Classic Boat soon.
“We had very good racing, despite light wind
conditions, thanks to the work of the race committees,”
said Jacques Flori, Président of Yacht Club de Cannes.
Pascal Gard, chief operating offi cer of Régates Royales
Cannes, thanked his small army of volunteers, who helped
make the event happen, and promised “much more” for
the 40th anniversary event next year.