Corsica Classic 2015 : The Only Vintage regatta around the isle of Beauty

Corsica Classic 6th Edition

A regatta around the Isle of Beauty, combining the spirit of competition and sportsmanship, elegance and adventure, under the patronage of the Yacht Club of France

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

All classic yachts, approved by the CIM (International Mediterranean Committee) and yachts in the ‘Esprit de tradition’ class, approved by the IRC in 2015, are eligible to enter the race which 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.

Yachting! 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 or Eric Tabarly. www.ycf-club.fr // @YachtclubFrance

Route! Ajaccio, the Sanguinaire Islands, Cala d’Orzo, Porto-Pollo and the Gulf of Valinco, Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio, Santa Giulia, Lavezzi Islands : names that conjure up visions of the Isle of Beauty; 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. Arriving at their overnight moorings, competitors will find exceptional port services and stunning backdrops.

Competitors! 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 was Tara Getty with Skylark, the flagship yacht of the Los Angeles Yacht Club. Getty is back with his yacht this year – and let me tell you he’s not here to lose. 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 be exceptionnally gathered for the race: they both belonged to famous French politician Gaston Defferre. SY Namib won the Panerai trophy in 2014 and is one of the great favorites for the regatta. White Wings belonged to actor Olivier Martinez and welcomed many times Kylie Minogue aboard as a sailor! 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 welcomed aboard the great Humphrey Bogart and his wife Lauren Bacall as guests and later belonged to Zsa Zsa Gabor and then to Commandant Cousteau.

America America ! 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, that weighs 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. www.dorade.org // @dorade1929

Style ! For the second year, LACOSTE is the official partner of the Corsica Classic. All the teams, the race committee and the staff members will be wearing LACOSTE during the week, celebrating sailing elegance that has always been at the core of the Crocodile brand. With a strong Yachting inspiration, the LACOSTE style is creative, innovative and functional. A mix & match of shapes, colors and fabrics for a total chic & elegant sailing look. www.lacoste.com // @LACOSTE

Fun! Back on shore, race week will include many surprises starting with on Tuesday 25 August a Night Party at ‘Chez Francis’ on the Cala d’Orzo beach. Friday 29 August will include a live concert at U Santa Marina in Santa Giulia Bay, one of the most beautiful beach in the world, featuring Karl Lagerfeld’s favourite DJ, Charles Schillings. Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards counts 4 Corsican beaches in its French Top 10, and all are included in the Corsica Classic route: Santa Giulia, Palombaggia, Arone and Le Petit Sperone… giving that “Corsican Caribbean” feeling. www.chez-francis.com // www.usantamarina.com

Yummy! Over the course of the week, tastings of AOC products and special wines from across Corsica will be offered to novices and experts alike during cocktail hours. www.vinsdecorse.com // @vinsdecorse

Soundtrack! Under the artistic direction of top DJ Charles Schillings - best known for his collaborations with leading fashion designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Cartier or Céline - the soundtrack of the Corsica Classic features a selection of musical gems, compilations. Discover them all at www.corsica-classic.com // @CorsicaClassic

Luxury! The Casadelmar Hotel, A Five Star resort on the sea, which just won its Second Michelin Star for its restaurant, will play host to this international fleet for poolside cocktails. The traditionally-rigged armada will stop off in moorings opposite the 5-star hotel late on the afternoon of Thursday 27th August. The competitors will have plenty of time for debriefing after a day of fierce competition, as they sip house cocktails and nibble on a selection of foccacia prepared by Michelin-starred Italian chef Fabio Bragagnolo. www.casadelmar.fr

History! The Corsica Classic prize ceremony will be held for the first time at the newly rehabilitated Stronghold of the Standard (Bastion de l’Etendard) at 7pm on Sunday 30th August. Between the walls of the fortifications and ruins from the Pisano and Geonese period (12th-13th century) and the place that held the siege of the King of Aragon in 1420 or the Franco-Turkish siege in 1553, the evening will be rich in emotion and history! www.bonifacio.com // @Bonifacio20169

Must-haves! Sebago®, creator of iconic maritime footwear including the legendary Docksides®, is an official partner of the regatta for the second year. A staple of any self-respecting mariner’s wardrobe, indispensable for strolling around on deck, the entire race committee and organisational team will be sporting the Neoprene Docksides® throughout the regatta. www.sebago.com // @sebago

Looping ! One of the best 15 pilots in the world, and favorite Redbull Air Race winner will be surprising the teams almost every night during the regatta: Nicolas Ivanoff will hold an air show onboard his Extra 330LX. The participants of the Corsica Classic will also be able to win an Air flight during the week. More adrenaline for everyone ! www.nicolasivanoff.com // @nicolasivanoff

Charity ! Corsica Classic just tied the knot with Breast Cancer Association SOS Cancer du Sein and its « Pink » Regatta. The regatta will host several women who are suffering from this disease to participate on one leg of the regatta for a lifetime experience in Ajaccio on Monday 24th august. This very special stage will include these women in the teams to share an incredible adventure on the sea. www.soscancerdusein.org

Knife Night! In 2015, Opinel is celebrating its 125th birthday and will for the first time follow the Corsica Classic road with his new mountain/sea pocket knife, the N°08 Outdoor. Highly resistant to humidity and extreme temperatures the knife includes a survival whistle, a rope cutter, a shackle key and a heavy duty stainless steel blade. It is a must have on the shore and onboard. Winners of each class will win a precious limited edition wooden box & pocket knife engraved Opinel-Corsica Classic. www.opinel.com // @Opinel

Green ! Sailors love golf! That’s the reason why Corsica Classic created that partnership with the prestigious Sperone Golf Club so that the participants of the regatta will be able to try their game on one of the preferred European golf courses and we will welcome some golfers for a day on water. www.golfdesperone.com // @sperone_golf_club

Pure Drinks ! Corsica Classic sailors will discover a box of 3 drinks based on active botanical extracts, alpine water and fruit juices at the start of the race : Purelosophy drinks are non-carbonated, allergen-free, glycemically balanced and do not contain any preservatives, sweeteners or e-numbers. Relax, Renew and Power will be offered to each participant, enough to be ready for the race each and everyday, keep going during the night and relax once victory is attained. Purelosophy is sold in top 5 Stars hotels and private Jet & Yacht companies.
www.purelosophy.com // @purelosophy

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Programme :

-Sunday 23/08: 11 AM- 5 PM : Arrival of boats and registration, Official Tent, Quai Margonajo, Port Charles Ornano, Ajaccio / 7-9pm : Welcome Cocktail on the Quai Margonajo

- Monday 24/08 : Stage 1 – 12 noon Ajaccio Gulf Regatta,
8 PM : Cocktail in the Napoleonic Rooms at the Ajaccio Town Hall / 11 PM :Party at La Part des Anges downtown Ajaccio

-Tuesday 25/08: Stage 2 – Ajaccio-Cala d’Orzo. 12 noon Departure from Ajaccio
5 PM Beach Contest in Cala d’Orzo / 7 pm Cocktail / 9 PM Fish Dinner Chez Francis beach bar, Live Music on the beach, Mooring in Cala D’Orzo or Porto Pollo (your call) Open to the public

- Wednesday 26/08: Stage 3 - Cala d’Orzu-Bonifacio. 12 noon departure from Porto-Pollo, 8pm arrival at Bonifacio (latest), evening off
- Thursday 27/08: Stage 4 Bonifacio - Porto Vecchio. 12 noon departure from Bonifacio / 5pm cocktails at the Hotel Casadelmar***** / 8pm welcome drinks at the port of Porto Vecchio.

- Friday 28/08: Stage 5 Porto Vecchio - Santa Giulia. 12 noon : departure from Porto Vecchio / 7 PM : optional cocktails & dinner on the beach in Santa-Giulia (U Santa Marina). Please register in the main tent Sunday 23th. 11 PM-2 AM : DJ & Party at U Santa Marina in Santa Giulia (open to the public)
- Saturday 29/08: Stage 6 Santa Giulia-Bonifacio. 12 noon : departure from Santa Giulia
- Sunday 30/08: Stage 7 - Bonifacio-Bonifacio ‘Trophée de la ville’ City Race. 12 noon : departure from Bonifacio / 7pm : prize giving ceremony and cocktails at the Stronghold of the Standard in Bonifacio.