Danse des Classiques.

“It is really not a race, but the opportunity for classic yachts to sail
a course round three buoys, to be admired, like dancing belles in a ballroom.”

We created this event in 2015 and repeated it in 2017. It has proved to be very popular and great fun and is now a regular feature of the Regatta.

Learning from previous years, the format in 2019 was a little different – the course was be more open and in clearer water than in 2017. It was held near the approach channel to Paimpol, not off Île de Brêhat, and was limited to 45 minutes.

Crews were encouraged to get into the spirit of the Danse by dressing ship and crew in all their finery. Fancy dress was encouraged, but not compusory, crews just came and enjoyed taking part.

Boats and crews were assessed by a panel of judges who were looking for various creative elements:

• Best creatively dressed crew
• Best creatively presented boat (decoration, handling, sail configuration)
• Best music and dance performed by crew.

There were, of course, prizes.

For spectators there wer a special Bréhat Vedette (250 passengers). A commentator was on board to describe each boat, its characteristics and its history.

Photo courtesy of Miranda Delmar-Morgan