Corinthian Yacht Club Hosts Panerai Classic Regatta

Vintage and classic yachts raced out from Marblehead Harbor this weekend, as the Corinthian Yacht Club played host to the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge.

The race continues Sunday afternoon before wrapping up Sunday evening.

The Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta is the first race of a New England circuit that includes the Opera House Cup next weekend in Nantucket, followed by the Museum of Yachting Classic Yacht Regatta in Newport, R.I., September 3-5.

This is the first year for the Corinthian in the Panerai challenge, and the sponsor welcomed club members and skippers into the circuit Saturday evening at a dinner buffet in the 125-year-old yacht club's dining room. 

As is traditional at the yacht club, the evening cannons fired after dinner from the club's harbor-side deck, when all stood at attention for the lowering of the club's colors and the American flag.

Commodore Martin Ray came back from a stay in Maine to welcome the guests, which included Sail 4 Cancer trustee Richard Groome from London, England.

Sail 4 Cancer is coming across the Atlantic from the UK for the first time this year as a partner in the Panerai. The nonprofit offers sailing experiences for cancer survivors and their families and raises funds for cancer research.

Clark Poston, a director at the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, sought recruits among local skippers for the Newport regatta next month.

"We've got 80 boats signed up," Poston said. "It's a little different (in Newport) if your boat's here in Marblehead."

CYC Rear Commodore Kenneth Adam greeted the guests, saying, "We've got some pretty good company for this regatta."

Officine Panerai, the event sponsor and an Italian watch maker, established the classic yacht challenge in 2005. Other stops on the global circuit include the Isle of Wight in the UK; Cannes, France; and Antigua in the Caribbean.

Racing for the final day of the Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta begins Sunday at 12 p.m. from Marblehead Neck.