Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge - Overall winners decided

by Tessa Wiechmann on 17 Jun 2013 The fourteenth Argentario Sailing Week, part of the Mediterranean Circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, came to a close on Sunday in Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany. Three amazing days of coastal races for the over 40 yachts from France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and Italy who sailed with soft, light winds and under sunny skies in the Gulf of the Argentario.

This edition was particularly successful as the number of yachts which entered was double compared to last year. The Overall winners of the Regatta received a Officine Panerai timepiece: Cambria (Big Boats), Leonore (Vintage), Sagittarius (Classic) and Wianno (Spirit of Tradition).

Over the past week sailing lovers and enthusiasts alike strolled along the docks of old harbor of Porto Santo Stefano, also known as 'La Pilarella', to admire close up these classic beauties which have made the history of yachting for over a century. Every evening yachties and crews enjoyed social events on land ranging from Oyster Cocktails to typical Tuscan fare at the Tenuta Agricola dell'Uccellina, not to mention the lovely hospitality of the Panerai lounge.

The prize giving took place at the Race village and was followed by the Farewell cocktail in Piazza de Rioni.

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 5.5 SI classes.

The final results of the Argentario Sailing Week after three races (with discard) are:

Big Boats: 1.Cambria (owner Chris Barkham); 2.Mariette of 1915 (owner Tropical Shores); 1.Mariquita (George Newman);.
Vintage > 15mt: 1. Skylark of 1935 (owner Tony Morse); 2. Leonore (owner Brad Swain); 3. Stormy Weather (Christopher Spray).
Vintage < 15mt: 1. Sirius (owner Paolo Zannoni); 2. Oriole (owner Historical Boat Review); 3. Almaran New York (owner Manuel Lopez).
Classic > 15 mt: 1. Il Moro di Venezia I, (owner Massimiliano Ferruzzi); 2.Stella Polare (Marina Militare); 3.Capricia (Marina Militare).
Classic >12 mt: 1. Sagittarius (owner Thierry and Frederic Lafitte); 2. Chin Blu (owner Giuseppe Caruso); 3. Outlaw (owner Mike Horsley).
Classic < 12 mt: Namib (owner Pietro Bianchi); 2. Marina di Venezia (owner Giovanni Poggi); 3. Ardi (CN Versilia).
Spirit of Tradition: 1. Wianno (owner Yula Sambui); 2. Mida (owner Alessandro Porcelloni); 3. Prelude (owner Giovanni Imperatore).
5.5 SI (after seven races - one discard): 1. Tara (owner Maria Cristina Rapisarda); 2. Volpina (owner Fabrizio Cavazza); 3. Manuela V (owner Guido Tommasi).

The winners of Sunday’s races were: Cambria (Big Boats); Leonore (Vintage > 15mt), Sirius (Vintage < 15mt), Stella Polare (Classic > 15 mt), Chin Blu (Classic >12 mt), Namib (Classic < 12 mt), Wianno (Spirit of Tradition), and Tara (5.5 SI).

The Classic Yachting event was organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano in partnership with the Florentine haute horologerie brand Officine Panerai which for many years has been promoting the culture of classic sailing through the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the largest international circuit of regattas for the most beautiful classic yachts still sailing.

The Argentario Sailing Week is part of the Mediterranean Circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2013. The opening stage was Les Voiles d’Antibes (29 May – 2 June 2013). It is followed by the Argentario Sailing Week in Porto Santo Stefano, Vele d’Epoca in Naples (26-30 June), X Copa del Rey de Barcos de Epoca in Mahon (27-31 August). The final event will take place in Cannes with the Régates Royales (24-28 September 2013).
Argentario Sailing Week website