Reviving The Pendennis Cup 2014
Since 2008, every two years, renowned Pendennis Shipyard hosts one of the most exciting superyacht events of the year: The Pendennis Cup. At the end of May 2014, in Falmouth Bay, UK, the 4th edition of this regatta was held with 11 yachts with a combined length of over 320m competing , divided in two main categories: the Pendennis Cup fleet and the second "Little Dennis Fleet", composed of yachts of less than 15 meters. Racing was managed once again by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club and race officer Peter Craig. All eleven participated in four days of racing defying adversity while still maintaining class and elegance.
This year the Pendennis Cup was delighted to welcome back previous competitors, such as Mariette of 1915 who returned to defend her title. She is a very special Herreshoff gaff schooner, since next year she will be celebrating her centenary. An opponent to Mariette, was Adix, an imposing three-masted schooner of 65 meters, who contended in the inaugural race of 2008 and returned after several refit works with Pendennis to compete once more for the Cup. There were new competitors entering the regatta; the Pendennis built 46m ketch Christopher fought hard against Velacarina in her first Pendennis Cup, The Pendennis build 46m ketch Christopher, competing in her first Pendennis Cup, fought hard against Velacarina, with the two battling for top honours throughout the week. In the Little Dennis Fleet an old friend, Firebrand, a classic sloop of 13 meters, was back to defend her title.
This renowned sailing location showed us that anything can happen, with unpredictable weather promoting fierce competition. Despite the top three yachts being within 3 points of each other on the last race was Velacarina, a beautiful modern 26 meter ketch distinguished by her dark green hull, that took the lead and was finally crowned with the Pendennis Cup 2014. In the Little Dennis Cup Cerinthe, a sloop of 13 meters, narrowly took victory from Firebrand although tied on points after the last race.
This dramatic regatta not only serves as a showcase of modern and classic superyachts competing against each other, but also consists of a full shore-side program for Owners, captains, crew, sponsors and invited guests to enjoy excellent Cornish hospitality with a full agenda of activities and evening entertainment provided. After every race, competitors relaxed and enjoyed the bar in the Pendennis Cup marquee on Events Square, where guests could also find information about the regatta, the yachts and the course. All events consisted of first-rate attention and quality; starting with a Captain's briefing and Owner's reception followed the next day by a welcome BBQ at the traditional Club House of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, so that competitors, sponsors and organizers were given the opportunity to get to know each other and in a relaxed environment.
