Officine Panerai

New York , NY – The finale of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge North American Circuit returns to Newport, RI for the Museum of Yachting (MoY) Classic Yacht Regatta on September 3^rd and 4^th. The long awaited annual event, sponsored by Officine Panerai, brings enthusiastic vintage and classic yacht owners and skippers to Narragansett Bay. There they will compete in the final stage of the North American Circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the most highly anticipated classic yacht regatta held in the U.S. This year marks the 32^nd annual running of this classic Newport event, and Officine Panerai is please to invite Rhode Islanders, Newport visitors, and other classic-boat enthusiasts to enjoy this year's regatta festivities. On Friday, September 2^nd, Panerai will kick off the weekend with a festive opening night celebration at the MoY's waterfront home at Fort Adams State Park.

NORTH AMERICAN PANERAI CLASSIC YACHTS CHALLENGE

SAILS INTO NEWPORT TO CELEBRATE THE 32^nd ANNUAL MUSEUM OF YACHTING

CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA SPONSORED BY OFFICINE PANERAI

Officine Panerai announces "Cappuccinos with the Captains" community tie-in

Newport is one of the leading locations in New England for sailing and one of the nation's cultural centers for classic yachting.  From veteran racers to novice sailors, summer beachgoers to wooden-yacht aficionados, the challenges and festivities of MoY mark the end of summer. Classic-boat enthusiasts are invited to join the international crowd of owners and crews who are traveling from ports throughout the United States and Europe to compete in this acclaimed regatta. Organizing Authority Sail Newport will run two days of racing, starting on Saturday and concluding Sunday afternoon, where the racing fleet will again mix restored classics with "spirit of tradition" yachts of contemporary build and classic styling.  On Sunday morning, the Classic Yacht Parade will bring the participating crews and public together, turning the waters off Newport into a majestic sea of classic yachts, one-designs, and powerboats. The fleet will assemble and trace a parade course around the harbor completing their circuit in the waters surrounding the MoY and Fort Adams State Park for the presentation of the coveted Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Cup to the overall winner of the North American Circuit. In addition, the winning yacht captain of the MoY Regatta will take home a limited edition Panerai timepiece.

Cappuccino with the Captains

Sunday morning, a new tradition begins - for the first time, Officine Panerai is pleased to host a casual morning meet and greet between local sailing devotees and the captains and crews of the competing crafts.  "Cappuccino with the Captains" will offer community residents an inside look into the dedication, commitment and tireless effort of those participating in the PCYC this year. It will also give the crews an opportunity to connect over their shared passion for classic wooden boats before immersing themselves into the competitive racing activities off the coast of Newport.

About the Museum of Yachting

For more than 25 years, the MoY has worked to preserve the culture and heritage of yachting. Situated in one of New England's most beautiful seaside locales, the Museum celebrates the traditions of yachting through the presentation of informative exhibits and educational programming. In 2007, the Museum converged with the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS), located across Newport Harbor. Together, these two organizations are creating a rich educational living-heritage experience by coordinating exhibits, events, and restoration projects. Sail Newport, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1983 after the loss of the America's Cup catalyzed the sailing community to attract more sailing events to Newport. Over 25 years later, Sail Newport is a thriving sailing center located in Fort Adams State Park. Sail Newport has a wide variety of sailing programs including learn-to-sail programs, racing clinics, and advanced classes for youth and adults.

About Officine Panerai

Founded in Florence in 1860 as a watchmaker's shop, workshop and school, Officine Panerai was for many years the official supplier of precision instruments for the Italian Navy, mostly for the underwater special corps. The projects developed by the company at the time including the Luminor and Radiomir watch - were covered by military secret until 1997, when the brand was purchased by the Richemont Group and launched on the international market. Officine Panerai is today the only Italian fine watch making company, developing and producing its own calibres and watches - a blend of Italian history and design with Swiss craftsmanship - in its own manufacture in Neuchatel, in Switzerland. Panerai watches are distributed worldwide through an exclusive network and in the Panerai boutiques in Florence, Milan, Portofino, Geneva, Madrid, Moscow, Paris, Beverly Hills, New York City, Boca Raton, Buenos Aires, Beirut, Doha, Dubai, Beijing, Hong-Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Taipei and Tokyo. www.panerai.com .

About the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge

Featuring over 500 of the world's most beautiful classic yachts in ten historical regattas, the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge is a major international event in the world of classic sailing, bringing together over 5,000 sailors and sailing enthusiasts from around the world.  The Challenge includes two circuits – Mediterranean and North American – as well as the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight.  It is through the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge that Officine Panerai continues to protect and promote the culture of classic yachting in the name of its own historical ties with the sea and the qualities of beauty, classic design, craftsmanship and excellence, which distinguish the uniqueness of a classic yacht as they do a luxury watch.

For more information, visit www.panerai.com or call 1-877-PANERAI.

For more information about the 32nd Annual Museum of Yachting Classic Yacht Regatta, visit www.moy.org or call 1-401-848-5777, ext. 202.

Press Release