The debut in Naples of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the international circuit of regattas reserved for classic and vintage sailboats, concluded with victory for Sirius and Bufeo Blanco. The two winning yachts were both rewarded with a Panerai watch. This is the first time in the nine-year history of the circuit that the Florentine haute horlogerie company has sponsored the Le Vele d'Epoca rally in Naples, organised by the Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia in collaboration with the Italian Navy's Sailing Sports Office. The 34 participating boats competed in a total of four races, always in fine weather conditions with winds of around 10-12 knots. The sea trials took place both on mixed triangle courses and along coastal routes, with passages as far as the Scoglio del Vervece in Massa Lubrense or starting from the Gulf of Pozzuoli and returning to the waters off the Rotonda Diaz in Via Caracciolo in Naples. The competition on the last day was preceded by a naval parade that allowed the fleet of vintage sails to be admired from land. After the three stages in June (Les Voiles d'Antibes, Argentario Sailing Week and Le Vele d'Epoca in Naples), the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge will continue in August with the Menorca stage (X Copa del Rey, Spain, 27-31 August) in anticipation of the grand finale in September in Cannes, on the Côte d'Azur, where the official winners of the 2013 Mediterranean Circuit will be declared.
