Winners Crowned at Robert H. Tiedemann Regatta Sponsored by Panerai

July 5-6, 2008

Light breeze challenged racers at the Robert H. Tiedemann Regatta sponsored by Panerai, a two-day regatta that celebrated the memory of a man who cut a monumental profile in the world of classic boats. But if the support at this event--in terms of the number of participants, the number of fans who watched on land and on water, and the sponsors and sailors who share Bob Tiedemann's dedication to classic boats--could be rated by the same Beaufort scale that measures wind strength, the ranking would be gale force.

At weekend's end, Elizabeth Tiedemann gave tribute to her late husband in front of a crowd of over 200 guests who packed under the tent for Sunday's award dinner. "He made quite a difference in his short time here," she said. Bob Tiedemann's passion for classic watercraft led him to rescue a substantial number of historic vessels, and the example he set was evident in the fleet that participated. The crew of the S-Boat Osprey, owned by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and skippered by America's Cup veteran Dyer Jones, captured overall honors for the Vintage Class yachts and was awarded a Pam 308 Luminor Chronograph Regatta watch from title sponsor Panerai. Michael Dominguez's custom-designed Halcyon captured overall honors for the Modern Classic yachts and was presented with a Panerai wall clock. Class winners who were also awarded with Panerai wall clocks included: Northern Light, the top-scoring vintage 12-Meter, restored by Bob Tiedemann; Stephen and Paul Pepperell's ketch Long White Cloud; and L-24 Belle, skippered by Joe Loughborough. 

A total of some 40 boats participated in the weekend's festivities. Joining title sponsor Panerai were support sponsors Inskip Porsche and Bentley Providence. Sail Newport managed the racing on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, complemented by a Parade of Boats on Sunday. Click here to visit the Sail Newport website and access complete results.