Meet Our Classic Yacht Columnist Alice Widdows.

Alice is a regatta manager on the Superyacht circuit offering a first-class racing experience.

A keen yachtswoman and self confessed island-hopping addict, preferably by boat!

During the recent pandemic I needed to adapt by events business and pivot quickly to respond to what my superyacht clients require in this new world. I took a Sustainability Practitioner Course for the yachting Industry with The Water Revolution Foundation and I am completing a professional degree in Digital Marketing with The Chartered Institute of Marketing. No resting on my laurels during lockdown! Four months later and my roses are in full bloom as is my business.

Alice Widdows PR, Events & Marketing offers New Business Development , Communication & Marketing Services and Superyacht Event Management. I continue to build brands and businesses in the superyacht sector.
Find me at any of the following superyacht regattas and events or online. I would love to help you www.alicewiddows.com Instagram: @superyachtevents

NUMBERS SHOW A RETURN TO RACING

We are cautiously optimistic as organisers bravely reschedule regattas and superyacht events for the sailing community this summer. If you are serious about sailing here is my go-to list for getting back on the water:

CLUB DE MAR WILL HOST A ONE-DAY EVENT FOR REGATA CLASICOS

Classic yachts are invited to participate in a special one-day event on the 15th August in the bay of Palma organised by Club de Mar. Regata Clasicos Club de Mar will attract the local Balearic based fleet including Giraldilla and Gipsy prior to the fleet’s departure for Mahon. The organising committee have waived any registration fees in light of the pandemic. The Illes Balears Classics will return in 2021.

COPA DEL REY VELA CLASSICA WILL GO AHEAD

21 yachts are now confirmed for the popular classic yacht meet in Mahon, Menorca at the end of August. Entries for the 2020 edition include local based yachts Marigan, Argos, Gipsy and Giradilla. The Balearic fleet will be joined for the first time by Love & War, the 1972 S&S design from The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia that has shipped from Australia to win some races in The Mediterranean. Love & War will be one to watch as has won the Sydney Hobart three times!

YCCS CONFIRM MAXI YACHT ROLEX CUP AND ROLEX SWAN CUP

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in agreement with the Nautor’s Swan shipyard and the International Maxi Association, and with the approval of institutional partner Rolex, has confirmed that the traditional September regattas, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and Rolex Swan Cup, will take place this year.

22 yachts are currently expected at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, ranging from Peter Duben’s 18.36 metre Spectre to 30.48 Leopard 3 under new ownership this season. Competition is always stiff amongst the Maxi fleet.

The Rolex Swan Cup has to date 59 registrations including two Swan 115’s Leonardo Ferragamo’s own Solleone and Highland Fling, a regular on the regatta circuit.

“I would like to dedicate a thought to the many owners, crews and sailors who will join us in Porto Cervo, animated by a passion for sailing and the sea. We are all in the same boat and collaborating like a real crew will be fundamental for the safety of all and the consequent success of the events, “ commented The Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Riccardo Bonadeo.

YCCS will organise the regattas in a modified mode: registration procedures will be streamlined through digital channels, the skippers’ briefing and the prize giving – which will take place outdoors – will involve a limited number of crew members in proportion to the spaces.

It is quite straightforward on the social side. It will be possible to hold the traditional owners’ dinners at the YCCS respecting the necessary distancing, but it will not be possible to organise crew parties. The lay day during the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has therefore been cancelled and the dates amended to Sunday 30 August to Friday 4 September. This will concentrate the sporting competition and will leave two days of separation before the start of the Rolex Swan Cup, minimising the presence of teams and boats from the two events at the same time.

IBIZA GOLD CUP

The party island of Ibiza, San Antonio will welcome yachts for the Ibiza Gold Cup in September. Organised by Blue Water Xperience and led by technical director Enrique Moner member of the 32th & 33th America’s Cup in Valencia and Race Officer of the Real Federacion Española de Vela. This event is gathering momentum

Yachts that have shown interest in participating in the rescheduled event include Sunday Child, Axonite, Cannonball, Alta Marea, PH3, Aragon, Thea , Scorpione of London, Bare Necessities, Peak, Scorpius, Umiko, Ikigaia, Kings Legend, Blalumar, Vixen, Scarena, Constanter, Strathisla, Xeres, Aiglon.

The organising committee are in continued talks with some of the larger yachts including some Jongerts, CNB’s, SWS, Oysters and Swan 80’s so watch this space and expect the fleet to grow in the future. The new date for next year will be May 17- 20th 2021.

BIG BOAT SAILING CALENDAR 2020

SUPERYACHT REGATTAS,  EVENTS, CONFERENCES & BOAT SHOWS.

15 August                   Regata Clasicos Club de Mar            Palma de Mallorca

25 – 29 August         Copa del Rey Vela Classica              Mahon, Menorca

30 Aug – 4 Sept       Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup                      Porto Cervo, Sardinia

6 -13 Sept                  Rolex Swan Cup                                   Porto Cervo, Sardinia

8 -13 Sept                  Yachting Festival Cannes                   Cannes, France

14-17 Sept                  Ibiza Gold Cup                                       Ibiza, Balearics

16 – 20 Sept              Les Voiles d’Antibes                           Antibes, France

26 Sept – 10 Oct       Les Voiles de St Tropez                     St Tropez, France

22 – 25 Oct                Palma Vela                                            Palma de Mallorca

11 Nov                         Life Under Sail                                       Monaco

13 Nov                        The World Superyacht Awards           Monaco

17-19 Nov                   METS                                                        Amsterdam, Netherlands.

23 – 24 Nov               Global Yacht Racing Forum              Portsmouth, UK

 

Download to I-Cal from www.alicewiddows.com/calendar