Making Waves

How Richard Mille is reviving vintage yacht racing, with sailboats of up to 60m attempting its debut challenge

WORDS: CHRIS ANDERSON

The association between watches and sports events is nothing new. Hublot has been the official timekeeper of the FIFA World Cup four times in a row, Rolex performs the same duties in Formula 1, and Omega has overseen the Olympic Games since 1965. Richard Mille also likes to put its name to sports, serving as sponsor and timekeeper of the Le Mans Classic since 2002, as well as other motoring events. Now the avantgarde watch brand has gone one step further by creating its own sporting challenge, the Richard Mille Cup.

This time, the sport of choice is classic yacht racing. Think 11 sailing vessels, manned by 200 crew members, dating from the end of the 19th century to the late 1930s, with some as long as 60m. A second chance for these beautifully crafted classic yachts to show their mettle on the high seas.

The inaurgural Richard Mille Cup consisted of inshore and offshore races and took place from June 10-25, with the yachts starting in Falmouth, on the coast of Cornwall in England’s southwest, and finishing on the other side of the Channel in Le Havre, northern France – the same body of water where the first great yacht races of history took place. Competitors were each divided into two categories, with Schooner for sailing ships featuring two or more masts, and Cutter for single-mast boats.

For Richard Mille himself, the appeal of these vintage crafts is obvious. “Classic yachts bear a living, breathing testimony to the highest values of workmanship, heritage and tradition, passed on to us through centuries,” he says. “By creating this challenge, we aim to set sail through history, and to bring this high-end craft very much back to life.”

This is not Richard Mille’s first foray into classic sailing either, as the brand is a long-standing partner of the Fife Regatta in Scotland. Boats designed and built by the Fife family at their Fairlie workshops on the River Clyde were popular for sailing on the great Scottish lochs during the early 19th century –excellent quality, with a third of those built still intact today, and William Fife Jr even designing two contenders for the America’s Cup. The Fife Regatta sees enthusiasts bring their craft back to Scotland from all over the world.

It seems that Mille is very fond of iconic handcrafted vessels from yesteryear, as well as the pageantry and tradition involved, and wanted to revive another type of event. “These early 20th-century sailboats were designed and built for nothing but speed, and it’s that extreme quality I appreciate,” he says. “Their beauty and efficiency contribute to their formidable personalities. Whether you look at their lines, sails or masts, everything is gorgeous. Even the slightest detail proves to be exceptional – because each has its function.

“These yachts, built from noble materials, have a soul. There are actually tremendous similarities between these boats and our watches. Granted, they’re not from the same era, but they are born of the same philosophical approach.”

The Richard Mille Cup even involves renowned sailing landmarks, making stops at such hallowed institutions as the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club in Falmouth, the Royal Dart Yacht Club in Dartmouth, and the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, before heading to France and finishing at the Société des Régates du Havre club.

“Restoration alone isn’t enough,” Mille continues. “These yachts need an environment in which they can thrive, and that’s why it’s so important to involve the yacht clubs, allowing competitors to mingle in an atmosphere redolent of the true spirit of the pre-war era.”

Standing on the coast of England or

France back in June, watching these classic yachts race along at speed, proved quite the sight, as men and women of all ages and backgrounds were pushed to their limits as they battled to man their vessels, fighting against onshore breezes, sea breezes, and even a lack of wind, and having to decide on the right sail combination while performing all manoeuvres by hand.

In the end, it was The Lady Anne that prevailed in the Cutter class, with 935 points, while Mariette was top in Schooner and the overall winner with 991 points. That meant it was these two crews posing with the event trophy, standing a metre high, commissioned from Garrard, the prestigious UK jeweller that designed the first America’s Cup 170 years ago, and has supplied the British Royal Family for 300 years. The design of the handcrafted trophy pays tribute to the elegance of the mighty sails seen throughout this race, with each winner receiving their own 40cm replica.

After two weeks of high-seas drama, the first Richard Mille Cup was an undoubted success, with plans already taking shape for the next edition. “The Richard Mille Cup has opened a new dimension in classic yacht racing, and one which we will take even further in future editions,” says Mille.

“Impelled by a passion for elegance and a taste for performance, future editions will write the next chapters of an equally captivating logbook.”