The Régates Royales – Panerai Trophy typically offer splendid sailing conditions in the bay of Cannes: a turbulent yet manageable sea, a moderate breeze gaining strength as the afternoon progresses, and a display of sails unfurled under a generous sun.
For this first day of the Régates Royales dedicated to classic yachts, Aeolus gave his finest breath while Poseidon churned a chaotic and unruly sea. This was a delight for the crews distributed across seven classes for a triangular bay course in a southwesterly breeze of about fifteen knots, rising to twenty to conclude the race.
But while the Graces, symbols of splendor, joy, and abundance, were present, greeting each other as in ancient Greece with the word “rejoice!” (χαῖρε), Scylla was also lurking in the murky waters of the Mediterranean… As the starting cannon fired off the Lerins, the nymph turned monster surged toward the committee boat to ram its rival!
The impact was harsh and spectacular, but the crew of Mariska was spared from this blow by the prow of Elena, which dented the starboard lower shroud and launched the 15mJI into the choppy waters: a return to port and a complete check-up before considering a new sailing session in total safety.
