Please select your home edition
Edition
Melges 15

Classic Regatta Gallery celebrates return of Richard Mille Cup

by Louise Midgley 7 May 2024 11:56 BST 2-15 June 2024

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 twelve 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.

Organizer 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 prize-giving 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 2024 with further details of the events, races and competing vessels announced and updated at www.richardmillecup.com

Related Articles

Hyde Sails teams up with Conrad Humphreys
To provide sailmaking support for his latest historical project Hyde Sails, in partnership with renowned offshore sailor Conrad Humphreys and leading sailcloth manufacturer Dimension-Polyant, is proud to announce a brand new partnership. Posted on 3 Apr
Official program for Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta
The release of the official program for the 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta We are thrilled to announce the release of the official program for the 2025 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, taking place from April 16th to 21st. Posted on 3 Apr
12th Classic Yacht Symposium closes
An international audience of 350 gathered to hear a series of world class keynote speakers HM King Harald of Norway received the Singoalla award for his lifetime dedication to sailing and the preservation of classic yachts. Posted on 30 Mar
Register now for Vele Classiche di Puccini
A gathering for vintage boats to the music of Giacomo Puccini in Tuscany Registration is now open for "Le Vele Classiche di Puccini", the only gathering for vintage boats to the music of Maestro Giacomo Puccini scheduled for 26-27 April 2025 in Torre del Lago, Tuscany on Lake Massaciuccoli. Posted on 30 Mar
Tumlaren Victorian State Titles day 1
Fleet revel in Port Phillip's 19 knot conditions With the City of Melbourne as background, Port Phillip, with its infamous short and one metre choppy conditions put out the challenge to six of the best (Tumlarens that is). Posted on 29 Mar
2025 Tumlaren State Titles preview
88 years of Tumlaren One Design yacht racing on Port Phillip This weekend, 29th and 30th March 2025, the 2025 Tumlaren State Titles, will showcase one design racing that has survived and thrived over 88 years of weather tantrums thrown up by Melbourne's Port Phillip. Posted on 24 Mar
CYA Summer Series 2024/2025 on Port Phillip
The eight race series title was a last race, down to the wire, close run thing The eight race series title was a last race, down to the wire, close run thing. On Mercedes IV's heels, point score wise, were the Arthur Robb designed, Akala, a multiple Sydney to Hobart contender and the New Zealander, Marama, designed by Alan Wright. Posted on 17 Mar
Tumlaren State Titles Preview
88 years of competitive one-design racing on Port Phillip waters Now in their 88th year of one design racing, the world's largest fleet of the Knud Riemers designed Tumlaren are still at their hard racing best. Posted on 10 Mar
2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua overall
Close competition and perfect sailing conditions For four exhilarating days, the stunning waters off Antigua played host to the 14th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, bringing together a fleet of majestic yachts, passionate sailors, and an atmosphere charged with competition and camaraderie. Posted on 10 Mar
Falmouth Classics 2025 set for June
One of the largest classic sailing events in the UK The Fal and Falmouth Bay provide one of the most attractive sailing environments in the UK and will host the 38th Falmouth Classics Regatta from 13 - 15 June. Posted on 10 Mar