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The Corsica Classic Sailing Regatta Returns to the Mediterranean in Grand Fashion

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The Corsica Classic is a highly exclusive sport and lifestyle event, part of a renowned tradition of stunning Mediterranean regattas for classic yachts.

Known as the Island of Beauty by the French, Corsica has a coastline filled with spectacular warm, transparent bays ringed with golden-white sandy beaches; stunning mountain ranges and lush verdant hillsides scented with herbs. Corsica is a truly enchanting Mediterranean island and the perfect location for one of the world’s grand sporting events.

The race is part of the official circuit organised by the CIM and French Association of Classic Yachts (AFYT). Over the past five years the Corsica Classic has become a not-to-be-missed event on the Mediterranean sport and lifestyle calendar and remains the only regatta to sail a week-long circuit along the Corsican coastline.

The regatta has been accepted under the patronage of the Yacht Club of France last year, a mark of great prestige. The YCF will be giving a very special Prize at the closing ceremony to the most Fairplay Sailing Yacht. Created in 1867 by Napoleon III, the highest sailing institution in France has had very prestigious members, such as the polar explorer Charcot, Jules Verne and Eric Tabarly.

The race covers some of the most spectacular coastline in the Med including Ajaccio, the Sanguinaire Islands, Cala d’Orzo, Porto-Pollo, the Gulf of Valinco, Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio, Santa Giulia and the Lavezzi Islands. All iconic landmarks dotted along the route of this eight-day race. Each day, the yachts will follow a coastal route of around 20 miles, a distance that will take at least 2 ½ hours to navigate on the shortest days, and up to 7 hours on the longest.

35 of the most stunning classic boats on earth will participate in the regatta this year (vs 23 last year), with competitors from Monaco, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, England, Argentina and the USA. 2013’s triumphant victor Tara Getty returns with his Skylark, the flagship yacht of the Los Angeles Yacht Club. Among the new participants are SY Namib, SY Willow Wren, SY Morwenna and SY Rose Juan plus most of the yachts that competed last year, including the magnificent SY Olympian, refit in Maine. Palynodie II (classified as a historic monument) and Palynodie VI will also participate, they both belonged to famous French politician Gaston Defferre. SY Namib won the Panerai trophy in 2014 and is one of the favorites for this years regatta. White Wings previously belonged to actor Olivier Martinez and welcomed singer Kylie Minogue aboard as a sailor many times. SY Serenade, belongs to the famous art dealer Alain Moatti, he brought it back from Mystic River to the Mediterranean Sea and will race for the first time this year at the Corsica Classic. Serenade has for years entertained an illustrious guest list including Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall and later belonged to Zsa Zsa Gabor and finally to Jacques Cousteau.

Casadelmar Hotel

Last year the winner was SY Dorade, from The St. Francis Yacht Club, a magnificent Marconi built to Olin Stephens’ innovative 1929 design, and winner of some of the world’s great regattas including; the Fastnet and the 1931 Newport to Plymouth Transatlantic. Dorade is preparing a very special gift for this year’s Vintage Marconi class winner: the Dorade Trophy weighing in at 20kg is actually one of the boat’s historical winches and was made especially for the Corsica Classic in California. The trophy will be back in the game every year, like the America’s Cup trophy.

For the second year, LACOSTE is the official partner of the Corsica Classic and Sebago®, creator of iconic maritime footwear including the legendary Docksides®, also returns as official partner

SY Vistona (photo credit T. Assante)

The action packed schedule on shore includes night parties at the Cala d’Orzo beach and a live concert in Santa Giulia Bay with DJ Charles Schillings. Participants will also party at the Casadelmar Hotel, a five star resort on the sea, which just won its second Michelin Star for its restaurant. The traditionally-rigged armada will stop off in moorings opposite the hotel for dinner and drinks. One of the top 15 pilots in the world, the Red Bull Air Race winner Nicolas Ivanoff will hold an air show onboard his Extra 330LX every night.

SY Whitewings (photo credit T. Assante)