The Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge returns to Newport

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

Over 50 yachts from around the world set sail in Newport Sunday morning, competing for the number one title.
 
"It’s a race of about 15-20 miles, there are different classes involved. Like you know, boats that go from 6ft up to 80 ft," says Giovanni Carestia, North American President of Panerai.
 
It’s all part of The Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, Carestia says the race has grown since the company first started its sponsorship in 2006. Saying back then, they only had about 10 boats participating. Now it’s gained international attention.

"We have a boat from Germany, so they came all the way from Germany to actually race throughout you know the Panerai classic challenge," Carestia says.

The Newport Classic Yachts Challenge is the final race of a 4 part North American circuit, which begins in Marblehead Massachusetts, then goes on to Nantucket and ends in Newport.Carestia says they end it here for a reason.

"Newport represents a part of history of classic sailing and yachting. So for us, it does not just represent the final part, but really coming here into history of sailing."
 

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