Style Edit: Mariette wins the first Richard Mille Cup yacht race series – the 108-year old classic schooner had a perfect score, winning all eight races in the event that recreates regattas of old

Jul 21, 2023

The inaugural Richard Mille Cup saw a fleet of pre-war yacht designs compete across eight races between Falmouth, England and Le Havre, France. Photo: Getty Images

Eleven historic vessels and 200 sailors competed for the trophy designed by Garrard, former jeweller to the British royal family, in a new event launching from The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club

Hand-crafted, pre-war built Mariette won every offshore and passage race, from Falmouth in England to Le Havre in France, with Atlantic and Adix battling for second place

The 108-year-old Herreshoff-designed schooner Mariette has been crowned the maiden race winner of the inaugural Richard Mille Cup.

An homage to classic yachts, the new event is the brainchild of the Swiss watchmaker, which has long had a connection with the sailing world. Forged by the friendship between the brand’s founder Richard Mille and Benoît Couturier, owner of the Mariquita, an early 20th-century William Fife-designed boat, the race is fired by a passion for the beautiful lines and thrill of sailing these handcrafted, pre-war designs.

Classic yachts of various pre-war designs lined up to compete for the inaugural Richard Mille Cup. Photo: @richardmillecup/Instagram

All the yachts taking part in the Richard Mille Cup were built before 1939 or are faithfully crafted replicas. Even the race formats were faithful to those of yesteryear, following courses used during the pre-war regattas.

Launching from The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, Falmouth, on June 15, the event finished 10 days later with a sprint across the English Channel to Le Havre in France.

Day two of the 2023 Richard Mille Cup off Falmouth, in southern England. Photo: Getty Images

A fleet of 11 yachts, crewed by 200 sailors from all walks of life and of varying degrees of experience, embarked on the competition commemorating the great yacht races of the early 20th century.

“The spectacle of a fleet of pre-first World War gaff cutters and grand schooners racing hard has not been seen at these venues in our times,” says Richard Mille.

“Racing for two weeks has been a real challenge of endurance and sportsmanship, which in turn has given way to the joys of great camaraderie and unforgettable memories. The Richard Mille Cup has opened a new dimension in classic yacht racing and one which we will take even further in future editions,” he says.