Corsica Classic
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Corsica Classic 5th edition Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 August 2014
The Corsica Classic is a highly exclusive sport and lifestyle event, belonging to a renowned tradition of stunning Mediterranean regattas for classic yachts. A regatta around the Isle of Beauty, combining the spirits of competition and sportsmanship, elegance and adventure, under the patronage of the Yacht Club of France.
All classic yachts, as approved by the CIM (International Mediterranean Committee) and yachts in the ‘Esprits de tradition’ class, as approved by the IRC in 2014, are eligible to enter the race, which forms 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 sport and lifestyle calendar of the Mediterranean, and remains the only regatta to sail a week-long circuit along the Corsican coastline.
Route! Calvi, la Revellata, the Girolata Marine Reserve, Scandola, Porto, the Calanques de Piana, Ajaccio, the Sanguinaire Islands, Porto-Pollo and the Gulf of Valinco, Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio, Santa Giulia: 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 1⁄2 hours to navigate for the shortest days, and up to 7 hours for the longest. Arriving at their overnight moorings, competitors will find exceptional port services and stunning backdrops. This year’s race sees also the introduction of two new stages: Porto-Vecchio to Santa Giulia and Santa Giulia to Bonifacio.
Competitors! Almost 30 boats will participate in the regatta this year, with competitors from Monaco, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, England and the USA. Last year’s triumphant victor was Tara Getty with Skylark, the flagship yacht of the Los Angeles Yacht Club. This year, for the first time ever, race participants will include the Dorade, 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. In addition to this armada of the most exclusive vessels from around the world, this 5th edition of the regatta will include two new classes: - The Tofinou 12s, built by Latitudes 46, will test their mettle against other ‘Esprits de Tradition’ yachts. - Tall Ships: the Johanna Lucretia is a 96 ft, 50 tonne, two-masted topsail schooner, and has been making a name for herself with a series of victories on the race circuit.
Fun! Back on shore, race week will include its fair share of surprises, starting with the traditional opening party at ‘Chez Tao’ on Saturday 23 August. This will be followed a few days later, on Tuesday 26 August by a Night Party at ‘Chez Francis’ on the Cala d’Orzu beach, featuring top DJ Charles Schillings. And Friday 29 August will see a giant barbeque of spit-roasted Corsican veal on the beach of Santa Giulia’s 4-star Moby Dick Hotel, followed by a concert at Bar Plage, in partnership with the Porto Vecchio Festival.
Style! Lacoste is the official clothing sponsor for this year’s regatta, so expect to see crews, race and organising committees donning its Alphabet Marin range. This is the first time that the famous Green Crocodile brand, founded in 1933, has sponsored a classic yacht regatta! To mark this special occasion, the Lacoste trophy will be awarded at the official prizegiving ceremony for the ‘most notable display of sportsmanship’ during the race.
Yummy! After the effort, the reward. Yacht owners will be invited to sample French caviar from the Maison Boutary aboard the 1937 Oiseau de Feu. Corsican master ice- cream maker Pierre Geronimi will be offering his latest creation, a sea-water sorbet. Over the course of the week, tastings of AOC products from across Corsica will be offered to novices and experts alike.
Live! On Friday 29 August on the beaches of Santa Giulia, the Corsica Classic and the Porto Vecchio Festival will cross paths. After a cocktail reception and barbeque on Corsica’s most beautiful beach, regatta participants will be able to head over the festival to see this year’s headline act: La Femme.
Soundtrack! Under the artistic direction of top DJ Charles Schillings - best known for his collaborations with leading fashion designers, from Karl Lagerfeld to Céline - the soundtrack of the Corsica Classic features a selection of musical gems, with a quintessentially Corsican Riviera spirit. Highlights include a preview of his new album, ‘Blanc de Noirs’, scheduled for release in October, and a mix taken from ‘Bloody French’, the latest album (released in February this year) from Stéphane Pompougnac, King of Lounge and creator of the ‘Hôtel Costes’ compilations. Also worth noting are three classics, covered by Corsican artists in the island’s distinctive language: Pierre Gambini with Blondie’s ‘Heart of Glass’, Jean-Pierre Marcellesi with Sting’s ‘Fragile’ and female duo Pussycat Kill Kill, who turn Jeanette Dimech’s ‘Porque te vas’ into ‘Chi Ti Ne Vai’. Discover them all at www.corsica-classic.com
Must-haves! Sebago®, creator of iconic maritime footwear including the legendary Docksides®, is an official partner of the regatta. A staple of any self-respecting mariner’s wardrobe, indispensable for strolling around on deck, the entire race committee and organisational staff team will be sporting their Docksides® throughout the regatta.
Luxury! The Casadelmar Hotel 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 28 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, before they take to the sea once again.
Fore! The Corsica Classic prizegiving ceremony will be held for the first time at the clubhouse of the prestigious Sperone Golf Course at 7pm on Sunday 31 August. After the ceremony, attendees can enjoy the lovely view over the golf course, bringing an eventful week to a beautiful end.
Action! GoPro® , image partner of the Corsica Classic, is offering fans a chance to win a GoPro® HERO3+ Black Edition through the Corsica Classic Facebook page. GoPro® cameras have become the must-have action sports accessory, and will immortalise the key moments of this year’s regatta.
Programme 2014 :
- Saturday 23/08: arrival of boats and registration at the Quai d’Honneur, Calvi / 7-9pm Cocktails on the Quai d’Honneur / 11pm after-dinner party at ‘Chez Tao’.
- Sunday 24/08: Stage 1 - Calvi - Girolata. 12 noon departure from Calvi / 7pm Cocktails on Girolata beach.
- Monday 25/08: Stage 2 Girolata - Ajaccio. 12 noon departure from Girolata / 8pm Cocktails in the Napoleonic Rooms at the Ajaccio Town Hall / 11pm Party at La Part des Anges, Ajaccio centre.
- Tuesday 26/08: Stage 3 Ajaccio - Cala d’Orzu. 12 noon departure from Ajaccio / 4pm mooring and beach party at Chez Francis beach bar, Cala d’Orzu / 7pm cocktails, fish supper and soirée.
- Wednesday 27/08: Stage 4 Cala d’Orzu - Bonifacio. 11am departure from moorings / 8pm arrival at Bonifacio. Cocktails and caviar tasting courtesy of Maison Boutary on the Oiseau de Feu yacht (for boat owners only).
- Thursday 28/08: Stage 5 Bonifacio - Porto Vecchio. 12 noon departure from Bonifacio / 5pm cocktails at the Hotel Casadelmar / 8pm cocktails at the port of Porto Vecchio.
- Friday 29/08: Stage 6 Porto Vecchio - Santa Giulia. 12 noon departure from Porto Vecchio / 7pm cocktails at the 4-star Moby Dick Hotel / 8pm spit-roast Corsican veal dinner on the beach / 11pm-2am Porto Vecchio Festival concert.
- Saturday 30/08: Stage 7 Santa Giulia-Bonifacio. 12 noon departure from Santa Giulia.
- Sunday 31/08: Bonifacio-Bonifacio ‘Trophée de la ville’ city race. 12 noon departure from Bonifacio / 7pm prizegiving ceremony and cocktails at the Sperone Golf Course clubhouse.
Association Corsica Classic Yachting
contact@corsica-classic.com
Web : www.corsica-classic.com
