With just a few days to go until the start of the Falmouth Classics event – sponsored by Tilley Endurables – the number of participating boats has already surpassed the number of entries from last year. With couple more days left for boats to enter, the increasingly popular volunteer-led event is set to be even bigger and better than ever.
For three days (17th – 19th June), Falmouth will be humming with activities celebrating maritime heritage, as Falmouth Classics will be running simultaneously with the annual International Sea Shanty Festival.
There will be ample opportunities to view the races and the parades during the event from both ashore and afloat. With stunning views of the boats from Pendennis Point, Cliff Road and Gyllyngvase Beach, as well as St Mawes Castle on the Roseland Peninsula, you’ll be sure not to miss this spectacular event.
Event Programme
Weather permitting; there will be two races on Friday 17th June, one at 11:30am and the other at 14:00pm. This will be followed by a third race on Saturday 18th June starting at 12:30pm.
The Falmouth Classics three-day event will end with two impressive parades on the Sunday 19th June. The spectacular Classics Parade of Sail and Power will take place from 10:30 – 12:00 within the Carrick Roads. This will be followed by, for the first time ever, a Parade of Small Boats from 13:30 – 14:30, which will include a unique selection of boats from the National Maritime Museum Cornwall small boat collection.
The Parade of Sail and Power
This year the Parade of Sail and Power will be led by the magnificent Pinuccia, owned by Falmouth Classics partner sponsor, Hotel Tresanton. This impressive 8-metre classic yacht was built in 1939 for Angelo Rizzoli of the prestigious Yacht Club Italiano with the aim of winning back the Coppa d’Italia. Pinuccia has experienced a dramatic life filled with rumour and travel, but once again has an Italian owner and is now based in St Mawes Harbour.
At 10.30am on Sunday 19th June, Pinuccia will lead the Parade on a southerly course to the east of Pendennis Headland, round Black Rock and finishing between West Narrows Buoy and the Finishing Boat. A cannon will be fired from Pendennis Castle to mark the start of the parade.
Owned by famous hotelier and designer Olga Polizzi, Pinuccia has rumoured links to Mussolini. Whilst the Baglietto – who designed the yacht in Italy – claims that they never built a yacht for Mussolini, the name Pinuccia, is believed to be the name of his mistress.
John Davison, the Chairman of the Falmouth Classics Association, says:
“We’re thrilled to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Falmouth Classics with its first ever title sponsor, Tilley Endurables who have kindly donated over one hundred flags for the participating boats.
With thanks to Hotel Tresanton, we are looking forward to seeing the superb Pinuccia lead the Parade of Sail and Power.”
