The creation of the 295′ three-masted schooner Athena at Royal Huisman Shipyard in Holland is a project that seems to point in opposite directions. Athena represents a rebirth of the grandeur of the glory-days from before World War I, while delivering a vivid spirit of moving on – finding new developments and levels of perfection for answering yachting’s old questions: the search for speed, seaworthiness, style and quality.

The film locates Athena in the stream of history in an entertaining way, emphasising the manner in which her designers and builder have brought the standards of the Golden Age to new heights.

Filmed by Tom Nitsch
Narrated by Tom Cunliffe