Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge - Crystal blue sea and steady breeze!

by Tessa Wiechmann on 20 Jun 2016 Blissful sailing conditions for the final day of racing at Argentario Sailing Week in Tuscany. The Islands of Montecristo and Giglio etched against crystal blue skies, white capped seas and a steady 15 knot northwesterly breeze set the stage for the 40 Grandes Dames racing in the second Mediterranean leg of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge.

Linnet, owner Patrizio Bertelli with Max Sirena calling tactics wins in Vintage +200; Leonore with helmsman Mauro Pelaschier wins in Vintage -160; Skylark of 1937 wins in Vintage – 200; Naif owner Ivan Gardini wins in Classics -160; Madifra 2 owner Maurizio Brunori wins in Classics + 160 and Raindrop the Wianno owned by Yula Sambuy is first in Spirit of Tradition.

The Overall winners of the Regatta received an Officine Panerai timepiece: Ivan Gardini on Naif (Classics), White Oyster on Skylark of 1937 (Vintage) and nei Classici, Yula Sambuy on Raindrop (Spirit of Tradition).

The international regatta is organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano in partnership with the Florentine haute horologerie brand Officine Panerai.

Thumbs Up from Scott Perry, Vice President of World Sailing

Scott Perry, Vice President of World Sailing (formerly ISAF) and owner of Fjord III (German Frers Senior, 1947) participated in Argentario Sailing Week for the first time.

“This is my first time sailing in Italy in general and I must say that the Argentario is a fantastic sailing venue: good wind conditions, a stunning landscape and warm hospitality are a perfect recipe. As a Technical Delegate for Olympic sailing in Rio 2016, I would like to compliment all of the organization and in particular the Race Committee. They are competent, listen to what racers have to say and actually act upon their suggestions, which is quite unusual. We received a very warm welcome here in Santo Stefano, and if I may make one suggestion, I think extending the Regatta by a day would be a great idea, as it would allow competitors to discard their worse result.” When speaking about the world of classic sailing Perry stated

“Sailing is truly a sport for life and classic yachts bring it all together. Youngsters start on dinghies and then graduate to ORC and IRC racing. Classics are the natural progression for those who have done it all. When I bought Fjord III five years ago, I felt I was investing in preserving the heritage of sailing and we brought our yacht back to what her original layout was, letting her true personality shine through”.

The Uruguayan 50-foot classic Fjord III proved pivotal in establishing German Frers’s international reputation. Built on a tight three-month launch deadline to compete in 1947’s Buenos Aires-Rio Race, Frers missed the start by 24 hours, but set off anyhow and cut the finishing line in second position.

The Gulf of Argentario keeps everyone guessing

Brendan MacCarty is the Captain of Rowdy, a breathtaking NY40 designed by Herreshoff in 1916 and sister to Chinook (NY48). “What I love about racing here in Argentario is that it is a unique place to sail. A very technical course where the wind keeps everyone guessing. Three days of great racing in very different conditions. On top of that, the setting is wonderful and seeing sea turtles and sunfish while racing is a definite bonus. We would really like to see the regatta extended by a day in order to introduce a discard and enjoy this venue to the fullest!”