Dolphins salute winners of Argentario Sailing Week 2014
by Argentario Sailing Week on 23 Jun 2014
Argentario Sailing Week 14 - Dolphins James Robinson Taylor
Dolphins playing off the bows of the Big Boats were the perfect finishing touch after three wonderful days of coastal racing in the crystal blue seas of Tuscany. The 15th Argentario Sailing Week, third round of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, drew a close on Sunday in Porto Santo Stefano, Maremma. Over 40 yachts from six nations sailed their final race under sunny skies with a south-easterly ten knot breeze, weaving their way across the Gulf of the Argentario with the hamlet of Talamone and Giglio Island as a backdrop.
The Overall winners of the Regatta received a Officine Panerai timepiece: Mariquita (Big Boats), Chinook (Vintage), Bufeo Blanco (Classic) and Wianno (Spirit of Tradition).
Over the past week almost 800 yachties enjoyed the hospitality of Porto Santo Stefano, strolling through the town’s narrow streets and taking part in the social events organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano like the Tuscan specialties dinner at Tenuta Agricola dell'Uccellina or the Oyster Cocktail at the Race Village. The Panerai Lounge set out a sumptuous breakfast and after-racing refreshments for all participants every day. Sailing enthusiasts and lovers of timeless beauty admired the Grand Dames of the Sea from the docks, studying up close the stories and legends of yachts racing in Argentario Sailing Week.
Oggie Pesek, Board member of the Wianno Class Association in the USA, back from the races commented on his first time at Argentario Sailing Week: 'I started sailing Wiannos when I was 12 and by the time I was 15, I was racing against the Kennedy’s in Hyannis port. We have been sailing these boats for 100 years and although some improvements have been made on the boat itself, the values it embodies have stayed the same. In Nantucket at times our fleet counts 60 yachts and I am very happy the Wianno class is also growing in Italy thanks to local shipbuilders operating around Porto Santo Stefano. The setting here in Maremma is absolutely breathtaking, the course offers consistent sea-breeze and it is thrilling to race pointing your bow towards the coast and the stunning landscape. I am planning to come back as soon as I can!'
The prize giving took place at the Race village and was followed by the Farewell cocktail. While the Yacht Club Santo Stefano celebrated the daily winners, Officine Panerai awarded a silver plate to the first, second, and third ranking in each division in the Vintage, Classic, Spirit of Tradition, Big Boats and classes.
The final results of the Argentario Sailing Week 2014
Big Boats: First. Mariquita; Second. Hallowe’en; Third. Eleonora
Vintage > 200: First. Jalina; Second. Mondragone; Third. Endeavour.
Vintage < 200: First. Chinook; Second. Cholita; Third. Skylark of 1937.
Classic > 200: First. Namib; Second. Voscià; Third. Marina di Venezia.
Classic >120: First. Bufeo Blanco; Second. Chin Blu III; Third. Naif.
Classic < 120: First. Il Moro di Venezia I; Second. Corsaro II; Third. Chaplin.
Spirit of Tradition: First. Wianno; Second. Raindrop; Third. Wind & Wine.
12 mt S.I: First. Vim; Second. Vanity V.
The winners of Sunday’s races were: Mariquita (Big Boats), Jalina (Vintage > 200), Sirius (Vintage < 200), Namib (Classic > 200), Bufeo Blanco (Classic > 120), Il Moro di Venezia I (Classic < 120), Raindrop (Spirit of Tradition), Vanity V (12 mt SI).
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).