Argentario Sailing Week - Grandes Dames of the Sea ready to race

by Tessa Wiechmann on 20 Jun 2014 The Grandes Dames of the Sea are all set to race in Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany for the 15th Edition of the Argentario Sailing Week, third round of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2014.

Once registration and measurement were completed, sunny skies and a north-westerly brisk breeze provided perfect weather conditions for some of the 50 yachts from six nations who trained in Maremma’s pristine waters, sailing between Porto Santo Stefano, the ancient Roman harbour of Talamone and Giglio Island. Among the beauties weaving their way across the crystal blue Argentario Bay, Shamrock V (1930, Marconi Cutter J-Class, Camper & Nicholson, 36 mt), Cambria (1928, Bermudan Cutter, William Fife, 40 mt) and Mariquita (1911, Gaff Cutter, William Fife. 38 mt).

Back on the docks John Lammerts van Bueren on Cambria commented: 'In all fairness Porto Santo Stefano is one of the best sailing spots in Italy! This is my break away from the working world and it doesn’t get much better than this.' Mr. Lammerts is the author of several books including 'Olin Stephens: La Saga Sparkman & Stephens' and 'The great eights: the yacht and history of the international 8-metre class'.

The stories and legends of all yachts taking part in Argentario Sailing Week can be found here.

In the late afternoon, the Yacht Club Santo Stefano hosted a Welcome Cocktail at the club house for all participants, while sailing lovers and enthusiasts strolled along the quay, admiring the majestic beauties docked at Porto Santo Stefano’s old harbor.

Racing at the International Regatta starts tomorrow, Friday, with the first warning signal scheduled at 11 a.m. and finishes on Sunday, June 22nd with the Prize giving Ceremony followed by a Farewell cocktail held at the Race Village.

The fleet taking part in Argentario Sailing Week has been divided in five categories: Vintage, Classic, Big Boats, Spirit of Tradition, Metric classes and One Designs. Officine Panerai will award the top three in the Classic, Vintage, Big Boats and Spirit of Tradition categories and the yacht that ranks first overall in the Classic, Vintage, Big Boat and Spirit of Tradition categories.

The Classic Yachting event is organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano in partnership with the Florentine haute horologerie brand Officine Panerai, which for the 10th consecutive year is sponsoring the largest international circuit of regattas reserved for classic yachts.

The Argentario Sailing Week 2014 is organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano with the patronage of the Region of Tuscany, the Province of Grosseto the Municipality and of AIVE (Italian Association of Vintage Yachts). The local tourism board supports the event. Officine Panerai is the Title Sponsor. Other sponsors: Argentario Approdi Spa and Tenuta Agricola dell'Uccellina. Technical Sponsors: NYL FTS and Argentarola srl. Official Suppliers Roman's and Garden Vivai Mediterranei. Weather forecast for the Race Area Consorzio LaMMA.

The Argentario Sailing Week is part of the Mediterranean Circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge. The opening stage was Les Voiles d’Antibes (4-8 June). It is followed by the Argentario Sailing Week in Porto Santo Stefano, Vele d’Epoca in Naples (2-6 July 2014), X Copa del Rey de Barcos de Epoca in Mahon (26-30 August), the Vele D’Epoca d’Imperia (10-14 September). The final event will take place in Cannes with the Régates Royales (23-27 September 2013). Event website