Argentario Sailing Week - Day 2 off with a bang!

by Tessa Wiechmann on 21 Jun 2015 Stormy clouds and then sunny skies with a 12 knot westerly breeze set the scene for the second day of racing at the 16th Argentario Sailing Week, the only Italian leg of the prestigious Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge taking place in Maremma, Tuscany.

'Whatever your passion is, one cannot escape the emotion of having the opportunity to admire these breathtaking classic yachts sailing in the Gulf of Argentario just in front of the Islands Giglio and Montecristo', stated a British enthusiast on holiday in Porto Santo Stefano, who perchance stumbled upon the regatta. Live the emotions by watching the video of the racing!

At the start, the 17 meter Chaplin (designed by Carlo Sciarrelli in 1974) collided with the 8 meter Pyxis (designed by Manley Crosby in 1914). Luckily, nobody was hurt and Pyxis was able to continue racing notwithstanding the damage.

Tomorrow, Sunday, marks the final day of racing.

The winners of the day celebrated with a prosecco and oysters at the Race Village once returned to shore, In the Vintage <150 class Chinook owner Paolo Zannoni cut the finishing line first in front of Manitu and Lenore, ith Italian sailing icon Mauro Pelaschier at the helm. In the Vintage> 150 class Cholita owner Maria Linda Nettis took the podium, followed by Jalina and Aleph. In the Classic <145 division Corsaro II of the Italian Navy Military Academy stole the show, beating Il Moro di Venezia I owner Massimiliano Ferruzzi and Stella Polare in third position. Chin Blu III owner Giuseppe Caruso was first in Classic >145 class followed by French Sagittarius in second place and by Naif owner Ivan Gardini, third.

After two races the leaders of each division are: Cholita (Vintage > 150), Manitou (Vintage < 150), Naif (Classic > 145), Corsaro II (Classic < 145), Wind & Wine (Spirit of Tradition).

Chaplin’s story – Described by her designer, Carlo Sciarrelli, as “a classy yacht designed for cruising and racing”, between 1975 and 1977 Chaplin took one 16th and two fourth-place finishes in the Giraglia, a race she won in 1989. She also scored victories in Classic Yachts category of Le Vele d’Epoca di Imperia in 2002, 2004 and 2006. On January 11th 2008 Chaplin was donated by her life-long owners, the Novi family of Genoa, to the Italian Navy. In 2009, under the command of Captain Bruno Puzone Bifulco, she participated in the Antibes, La Spezia, Marciana Marina, Naples, Porto Rotondo, Monte Carlo and Cannes rallies, winning the Classic category of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge. In 2010, she returned to the PCYC, taking second position this time. Based in Naples, Chaplin is also used by the Italian Navy’s Offshore Sailing Group.

Pyxis’ story - The Wianno Senior is a very popular design and a beautiful boat. The boat was designed by Horace Manley Crosby of Crosby Yacht Yard of Osterville, Massachusetts at the urging of local yacht club members in 1913-14. 14 original boats were delivered in 1914. Approximately 200 boats have been built to this design.

Behind each of the Grandes Dames, there are stories and legends of sailors and of their passions, All yachts and their designers are described in great detail on Argentario Sailing Week where sailing enthusiasts can comment and share information. Sailing proverbs, little known facts about Southern Tuscany’s culture, food and wine are also posted daily.

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 11th consecutive year is sponsoring the largest international circuit of regattas reserved for classic yachts.

The fleet taking part in Argentario Sailing Week - Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 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 Program

Thursday 18 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. The Mayor of Monte Argentario Arturo Cerulli will officially greet all participants on Friday morning before racing gets underway. Racing is scheduled from Friday June 19 to Sunday June 22. The Prize giving Ceremony will be held on Sunday 22nd at the Race Village.