It was a spectacular site this morning at the entrance to the Monaco Yacht Harbour as 26 of some of the worlds most famous Classic and Veteran yachts slipped their mooring lines from the quay and headed out for the start of the Prada Cup race as part of this weeks historic jubilee celebration of the Monaco Classic Week.

In light airs of around 5-10 knots, the yachts fought hard to find the lifting breeze, and when the breeze eventually filled, it was the two 15 m J.I class yachts Lady Anne and Tuiga that crossed the line ahead of the fleet.

Todays Prada Cup race results will count towards the final results of the Prada Challenge for Classic Yachts 1999, the new and unique Mediterranean racing circuit for classic and veteran yachts, sponsored for the first time by the famous Italian fashion house Prada. The Challenge was started in Porto Cervo earlier this month at the Prada Veteran Boat Rally. The yachts then raced in the first leg of the Trophée Grimaldi to Monaco to participate in two Prada Cup races today and tomorrow.

The fleet will depart again on Sunday on the second leg of the Trophée Grimaldi from Monaco to Cannes to race in the Régates Royales, the results from which will also count towards the Prada Challenge series. From Cannes, the fleet will race to St.Tropez in the third and final sprint stage of the Trophée Grimaldi for the final Prada Cup race and overall Prada Challenge prizegiving ceremony.

Meanwhile, in Monaco, the arrival of the Aga Khan, Crown Prince Albert of Monaco and Patrizio Bertelli, owner of Prada, are expected later this afternoon for an exclusive viewing of the classic yachts and vintage powerboats before this evenings festivities begin.