The Richard Mille Cup: Infusing Sailing With Soul

The inaugural Richard Mille Cup honors the artistry, legacy, and customs of classic yachts, where genuine pre-war vessels will compete in a race from Falmouth to Le Havre in June this year.

The Richard Mille Cup: Infusing Sailing With Soul

Get ready for the very first Richard Mille Cup, a vintage yacht race that celebrates classic yachts’ craftsmanship, heritage, and tradition. Taking place in June, this inaugural edition will feature authentic pre-war boats competing from Falmouth to Le Havre. The prestigious UK jeweler, Garrard, has been commissioned to create a unique trophy for the event.

Richard Mille, the driving force behind the cup, expresses his excitement, stating that classic yachts embody the highest values of artistry and tradition passed down through centuries. Organizing this challenge aims to revive and showcase these high-end vessels sailing through history.

Richard Mille Fife Regatta - Fairlie, Clyde, Scotland 10-17th June 2022
Richard Mille Fife Regatta – Fairlie, Clyde, Scotland 10-17th June 2022

William Collier, the organizer of the renowned Fife Regatta, explains the importance of these yachts as cultural artifacts and joins as a partner for this endeavor. Collier’s expertise in restoring historical yachts to exceptional standards makes him the ideal collaborator. Richard Mille played a significant role in establishing Team Fife, which brings together a fleet of William Fife yachts on the Atlantic Coast, fostering competition, experience sharing, and attracting legendary yachts like Mariquita, Moonbeam IV, and Moonbeam.

The Richard Mille Cup Brings the Soul Into Sailing
The Richard Mille Cup Brings the Soul Into Sailing

The Richard Mille Cup: Where and When?

Scheduled from June 10th to June 25th, the regatta will attract enthusiasts and collectors of historical yachts. The race will span between Great Britain and France, with stopovers in renowned sailing landmarks such as Dartmouth and Cowes. Both inshore and offshore races will be held, capturing the spirit of the pre-war British racing circuit.

The Richard Mille Cup Brings the Soul Into Sailing

The Richard Mille Cup is centered around authenticity, promoting the beauty and grandeur of handcrafted vessels. Restoration alone is not enough; these yachts require an environment that allows them to thrive. The involvement of Yacht Clubs creates an atmosphere reminiscent of the true spirit of the pre-war era, where competitors can mingle. The competition will feature 15 yachts dating from the late 19th century to the late 1930s, divided into Schooner and Cutter categories. The presence of two impressive 60-meter three-masted ships adds to the spectacle along both sides of the Channel. The race will navigate through historical institutions such as the Royal Cornwall and Royal Dart Yacht Clubs and the Royal Yacht Squadron before reaching the final line at the Société des Régates du Havre. Pierre Casiraghi, a member of the Richard Mille family and a sailor since 2018, will participate in the race on Tuiga, the legendary flagship vessel of the Yacht Club de Monaco.

The Richard Mille Cup Route
The Richard Mille Cup Route

The Richard Mille Cup showcases the brand’s unwavering commitment to excellence and deep interest in marine sports. As a groundbreaking event in classic competitive sailing, it promises to deliver an exciting and captivating spectacle for all sailing enthusiasts. Subsequent annual events of a similar nature will follow the inaugural Richard Mille Cup.

The Richard Mille Cup Brings the Soul Into Sailing

The Richard Mille Cup Trophy

To honor this prestigious competition, a remarkable trophy has been specially commissioned from Garrard, jewelers to the British Royal Family for the past 300 years. Garrard, renowned for its historic association with iconic sports trophies such as the Ascot Gold Cup, the British Masters trophy, the Cricket World Cup, and America’s Cup, has a distinguished heritage in this field. When launching the new yacht racing series, Richard Mille aimed to create a trophy matching the event’s significance and its participants.

The Richard Mille Cup Trophy and Replica by Garrard
The Richard Mille Cup Trophy and Replica by Garrard

The Richard Mille Cup, crafted by Garrard using sterling silver, stands at a height of one meter. The design draws inspiration from the graceful yachts competing for the trophy. Garrard’s modern design skillfully captures the sails’ intricate details and fluid motion as they hover above the waves.

Richard Mille Fife Regatta - Fairlie, Clyde, Scotland 10-17th June 2022
Richard Mille Fife Regatta – Fairlie, Clyde, Scotland
10-17th June 2022

The Richard Mille Cup is a perpetual trophy, representing a lasting symbol of achievement, and the winner will receive a handcrafted replica standing 40cm high, also produced by Garrard.