Panerai has cultivated an extremely close relationship with yachting communities, sailors, and competitive yachtsmen for almost a dozen years, and the various circuits ?in the Western Mediterranean, Atlantic, Caribbean, and North America ?involve hundreds of yachts and yachtsmen competing in boats that span over a century of yacht design, construction, and competition. At the same time, however, Panerai also sponsors the nonprofit organization Sailing Heals, which, in conjunction with the North American regatta circuit, provides an opportunity for cancer patients, their caregivers, and their families to get out on the water and experience a day-sail in some of the most beautiful classic yachts on the circuit. Panerai is a founding sponsor of Sailing Heals, which was founded by Trisha Boisvert in 2011 in collaboration with Officine Panerai.
Sailing Heals founder and executive director, Trisha Gallagher Boisvert.
Having participated in several regatta seasons as both a spectator and a rail-monkey on a race boat, I feel safe in saying that it would be hard to find a harder-driving, more competitive gang than racing yacht skippers, many of whom you get the feeling would be only too happy if the Racing Rules Of Sailing permitted the use of bow-chasers. But, for a day with Sailing Heals in Marblehead (the day before the start of the two-day Corinthian Classic regatta) hatchets were buried and rivalries forgotten to help ensure a great experience for guests. The weather cooperated as well replica Rolex Oysterquartz and we had a sunny day, just enough air to keep the boats moving at a healthy clip, and every participating captain and owner went out of their way to make guests feel welcome instantly.
Guests aboard the 12-meter yacht Valiant, originally built for the Americas Cup and one of the day's host yachts.
A Sailing Heals guest at the wheel of Wild Horses, our W-class host boat for the day.
ADVERTISEMENTSailing Heals maintains an extremely busy calendar during the yachting season, but thanks to the support of owners and captains, as well as local organizations like Nantucket Community Sailing and yacht clubs like the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead (our host for the day), and of course, founding sponsor Officine Panerai, they're able to offer an incredible experience to people with an awful lot on their plates. In a world where luxury branding often crosses over from exclusivity to exclusion, Sailing Heals is breath of fresh air and we tip our collective hats here at HODINKEE to Officine Panerai for supporting it.
Thanks to Officine Panerai, Sailing Heals, and the Corinthian Yacht Club for accommodations, and to Donald Tofias, master of the W-class yacht Wild Horses, our yacht for the day, as well as the skipper and crew of the 12 meter yacht Valiant, and John Taguiri and the crew of the yacht Galavant (top image). Visit Sailing Heals online for more info on participating, or becoming a sponsor or host captain. All photos by Cory Silken.
Panerai Officine Panerai Sponsors Sailing Heals For Fifth Year Providing A Spirit Lifting Day At Sea For Cancer Patients And Their Caregivers 11409