Argentario Sailing Week - Grandes Dames of the Sea return to Tuscany

by Tessa Wiechmann on 14 Jun 2014 The Grandes Dames of the Sea return to Porto Santo Stefano in Maremma Tuscany, for the 15th Edition of the Argentario Sailing Week. The international regatta will take place from the 19 to 22 June. 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 tenth consecutive year is sponsoring the largest international circuit of regattas reserved for classic yachts.

Fifty yachts from six nations, Denmark, France, Great Britain Ireland, Switzerland and Italy, have already entered the Argentario Sailing Week, third round of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2014.

During the event these majestic beauties will be docked at Porto Santo Stefano’s old harbor, known as 'La Pilarella' offering sailing lovers and enthusiasts the wonderful opportunity of admiring close up the classic beauties which have made the history of yachting for more than 100 years. The gad ketch Javelin, designed by Payne and first launched in 1897, will be the oldest yacht participating this year.

Among the flagship yachts Shamrock V (1930, Marconi Cutter J-Class, Camper & Nicholson, 36 mt) Endeavour (1934, J-Class, Charles E. Nicholson, 40 mt), Cambria (1928, Bermudan Cutter, William Fife, 40 mt), Eilean owned by Officine Panerai (1937, Bermudan Ketch, William Fife, 27 mt) and Mariquita (1911, Gaff Cutter, William Fife. 38 mt).

Behind each of the fifty Grandes Dames, there are stories and legends of sailors, of their passions, of yachtsmen ploughing through the oceans of the world relying solely on the expertise of their crews, a compass, a sextant and a spyglass. All yachts are described with their history and pictures here where sailing enthusiasts can comment and share information.

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.

Marco Poma, Sports Director of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano: 'We thought we had already achieved an outstanding result in 2013. The high number of entries also in 2014r gives us immense satisfaction. Organizing an event like Argentario Sailing Week - Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge requires a large and capable team that is completely focused on striving to make the event a success. For this reason, I want to thank our title sponsor Officine Panerai which continues to believe in us, the Mayor of Monte Argentario and all those who contribute in different ways in ensuring this is an unforgettable regatta every year'.

The Program Thursday 19 June is reserved for final registration and measurement. A Welcome Cocktail is will take place at 7 p.m. at the Yacht Club Santo Stefano. Racing is scheduled from Friday June 20 to Sunday June 22. The Prize giving Ceremony will be held on Sunday 22nd at the Race Village.

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).
Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge