Isle of Wight residents and visitors have been treated to some spectacular sights of multi-million pound yachts racing around the Island and in the Solent this week.
It’s part of the first edition of the Richard Mille Cup, which began in Falmouth on 11th June.
Last week the yachts taking part raced from Falmouth to Dartmouth and then from Dartmouth to Cowes.
Around the Island
Although Sunday was grey and wet for many, those living by the coast were treated to the 15 yachts – dating from the end of the 19th century to the late 1930s – racing around the Island, 200+ sailors, all competing in Schooner and Cutter categories, vying for the winning trophy.
Mille: Workmanship, heritage and tradition
If you are not familiar with the name, Richard Mille is a Swiss luxury watch company founded by Dominique Guenat and Richard Mille.
Richard Mille says,
“Classic yachts bear a living, breathing testimony to the highest values of workmanship, heritage and tradition passed on to us through centuries. By creating this challenge, we aim to set sail through history and to bring this high-end craft very much back to life.”
£20m+ price tags
The price tag attached to some of the yachts taking part in the race extends beyond £20m each, so as you can imagine, this particular race appears to be the preserve of the elite and very wealthy.
Organisers say the ethos behind the Richard Mille Cup is defined by one single word – “authenticity”, promoting the beauty and pageantry of iconic handcrafted vessels.
Richard Mille adds,
“Restoration alone isn’t enough, though.
“These yachts need an environment in which they can thrive, and that’s why it’s so important to involve the Yacht Clubs allowing competitors to mingle in an atmosphere redolent of the true spirit of the pre-War era.”
Don’t miss the final day of racing
Racing has been taking place all week, with Thursday (22nd June) seeing the final day of racing in the Solent.
News OnTheWight popped over to Cowes to watch some of the racing today and it really is quite a spectacle, so if you are free we’d recommend a shoreside visit.
Taking part
On Friday, the yachts that include the likes of Yacht Mariquita, Yacht Adix and Yacht Atlantic (which you can charter for EUR€ 110,000/wk), will continue onto Le Havre where the race comes to an end.
To find out more about the Richard Mille Cup, visit the Website, where you can also find more information about the race results.
