The Corsica Classic Regatta Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary This August Despite The…

Now in its 10th year, Corsica Classic, the most prestigious regatta of the Mediterranean, is slated to take place on August 25 until September 1, 2020. The route will run almost all the way around Corsica, an island of spectacular natural beauty that lies south of the French and Italian mainland.

On the official 2020 yachting calendar, Corsica Classic is, along with the Napoleon Regattas – which took place last month in the Corsican capital city of Ajaccio – the first regatta to open the yachting season in the Mediterranean, since COVID-19. As a result of the pandemic, all key events have had to be canceled or postponed until the fall, but Corsica Classic was able to go ahead despite the travel restrictions that are still in place.

Under the patronage of the Yacht Club of France, Corsica Classic is one of the sporting events that high up on the calendar for sailing amateurs and professionals alike. It’s also the regatta, which includes seven races, that brings participants the most points in the year.

Open to all CIM-rated traditional yachts and IRC 2020-rated “Spirits of Tradition,” this race is part of the official circuit organized by the International Mediterranean Committee and the French Association of Traditional Yachts (AFYT).

Some thirty of the world’s most dazzling classic and vintage yachts are expected to race in pursuit of the coveted “overall prize” and various cups including the Dorade Trophy. The story is that on 2014 Corsica Classic was won by an American pavilion yacht: SY Dorade, a Marconi designed by the famous architect Olin Stephens in 1929, winner of a Fastnet and a Transatlantic Newport-Plymouth in 1931. Proud of this trophy, the Californian owners of SY Dorade created in 2015 a “Dorade Trophy” especially for the Corsica Classic. And each year, this trophy, a Bronze winch of 20 kg, a historical and original piece of the yacht, is awarded to the winner of the Epoque Marconi class. SY Eileen has been its proud owner for a year.

This year, about 30 yachts are expected to compete including the SY Skylark, owned by Tara Getty, who will also be accompanied by her classic 1938 motor-yacht, Bluebird. Also, the SY Vistona, owned by Duke Gian Battista Borea d’Olmo, the Italian favourite in his class, the SY Saint-Christopher, winner of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2018 in the Classic class, the SY Eileen, overall winner of the Corsica Classic 2019, alongside the SY Hygie and SY Olympian, triple overall winner of the Corsica Classic. And the must awaited SY Hild 1899, just renovated, will be back in the race this year.

Also, as in the previous six years, Corsica Classic will once again host the French SOS Breast Cancer Association in its “Pink” regatta. Women with breast cancer and in remission will take part in the race on board the yachts during the Saint-Florent bay race on September 1.

The main race will begin in Bonifaccio and continue to Porto-Vecchio, Sari-Solenzara, Bastia and Macinaggio, before ending in Saint-Florent, allowing participants to see some of the island’s most scenic coastline.

Every evening, a number of events, including sumptuous dinners, cocktail parties like the opening event at the U Capu Biancu Hotel and tastings of some of the island’s top produce will take place on land to celebrate each stage of the itinerary, giving the event a glitzy lifestyle edge like no other sailing event.