A sight to behold, the Richard Mille Cup 2024 saw the world’s finest vintage yachts compete in thrilling offshore races through the scenic coastlines of England and France.
Photos on behalf of Richard Mille.
The Richard Mille Cup 2024 is not your average yacht race. An annual celebration of classic yachts only entering its second year now, the Richard Mille Cup is a sight to behold. Here, the world’s finest vintage yachts, each designed over a century ago, compete in a thrilling 255-mile offshore race. In addition to eight days of shorter inshore courses through the scenic coastlines of England and France.
Photos: Eloi Stichelbaut / DPPI.
Moonbeam. Photo Eloi Stichelbaut / DPPI
The race is named after the luxury watchmaker known for its innovative technology, exceptional architecture and fine heritage. At its start, the Richard Mille Cup 2024 invited yachting enthusiasts to the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club in Falmouth. Then, the event continued with visits to the Royal Dart Yacht Club in Dartmouth and the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes. Each club is famed for its historic links to yacht racing. Eventually, the regatta culminated at the famed Société des Régates du Havre in Le Havre.
Photo Harry Kenney-Herbert / DPPI
Kelpie. Photo: Eloi Stichelbaut / DPPI
A Thrilling Spectacle
But this regatta was no mere parade of majestic nautical vessels. The Richard Mille Cup has proven to be a thrilling racing spectacle. A race inspired by a deep appreciation for history, exceptional design, and the art of competition at its core. Of course, these are the very values that Richard MIlle itself is built upon.
Photo: Eloi Stichelbaut / DPPI
Moonbeam IV. Photo: Harry Kenney-Herbert / DPPI
“We want to go one step further by offering vintage yachts the chance to gather and compete on the same courses they raced in a century ago,” says Tim Malachard, marketing director of Richard Mille. “We bring back to life the early days of yachting and their illustrious participants with authenticity and passionate people.”
Moonbeam IV, Richard Mille Cup regatta. Photo: Eloi Stichelbaut / DPPI
Atlantic. Photo: Harry Kenney-Herbert / DPPI
But racing wasn’t the only event on the agenda. Attendees were also treated to an opening night party at the stunning Trelissick House in Cornwall, with a reception aboard the majestic schooner Atlantic. Each yacht club hosted prize-giving ceremonies, adding a dash of elegance and a touch of tradition to the proceedings.
Mariquita. Photo: Yann Riou / DPPI
Mariquita. Photo: Yann Riou / DPPI
Then on June 15th, following an intense fortnight of no-holds-barred racing, everyone bore witness to the breathtaking race off the Normandy coast, which saw an intense chase to the finish line between the Mariquita and Moonbeam IV. The glorious gaff cutter Mariquita—designed in 1911 by William Fife—would go on to claim the coveted trophy as she emerged victorious, marking a momentous triumph for both her team and fans worldwide.
Moonbeam IV. Photo: Yann Riou / DPPI
