Argentario Sailing Week – Dolphins on finish line round out Day 2

by Tessa Wiechmann on 18 Jun 2016 Sunny skies, clear blue seas and ideal breeze conditions for the second day of racing at Argentario Sailing Week in Tuscany, second Mediterranean leg of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge.

With the Islands of Montecristo and Giglio as a breathtaking backdrop, 40 Grandes Dames raced on a 20 nm course. On the starting line Linette, helmed by America’s Cup Patrizio Bertelli, Patron of Luna Rossa and three yachts who participated in the memorable 1973 Fastnet edition; Sagittarius, Naif and Atrevido. Dolphins on the finish line wrapped up a picture-perfect day!

Focus on Fastnet 1973 Glories: Naif, Sagittarius and Atrevido
From cutting-edge yachts in 1973 to classic Grandes Dames in 2016: Naif, Sagittarius and Atrevido all share this common trait. That, and the love their owners are proud to display.

Ivan Gardini, owner of Naif (Dick Carter, 1973), explains: “Naïf came back into my life in 2004, the same year my daughter Sofia was born. For many years after my father passed away, I did not sail. Then a friend told me that my father’s first boat was on the market and I decided to bring her back into our family. The passion for the sea and sailing is in the genes! Racing in Argentario is special: the setting and the atmosphere make it unique.” Naif had been commissioned by Raul Gardini specifically to take part in the Admiral’s Cup and Fastnet Race under the command of Cino Ricci. She was later sold to the Trombini family of Ravenna.

Sagittarius (Sparkman and Stephens, 1971) was also part of the Italian team that took part in the 1973 edition of the Fastnet. “My father had seen the boat before she left for the Admiral’s Cup and had made an offer. Her then owner Carriero turned it down, however we continued pursuing her”, explains Thierry Lafitte “On a fateful Wednesday in September 1973 at the end of the One Ton Cup, our perseverance paid off. Carriero decided to sell Sagittarius to our family on a handshake, mostly because he needed the mooring free by that Friday. My daughter Marie came on board when she was three months old and my son Pierre was five months. Sagittarius is family. Why we love racing at Argentario Sailing Week? We love how Italians take care of guests, make us feel at home and welcome us with open arms. Everyone, from the Race Committee, to the Yacht Club, to the town itself.”

Last but not least, Atrevido (Sparkman and Stephens , 1969) participating at Argentario Sailing Week for the first time. Owner Nicola Bocca tells her story: “Atrevido originally was sailing in Argentina and was selected as a member of the Argentinean team that took part in the 1973 Fastnet. She then stayed in Europe and 14 years ago I bought her: it was love at first sight. I had started sailing on that same type of yacht when I was very young and it felt like coming home. I had sailed here twenty years and when I decided to start racing in the classic circuit, Argentario Sailing Week was a natural choice.”

Between 2000 and 2010, she took part twice in the Cannes regattas and three times in Les Voiles d’Antibes. The six Lafitte children intend on continuing to care for her for their beloved family yacht for the foreseeable future

The race and results
The second day of racing kicked off once the thermal breeze had settled under sunny skies. First off the line Spirit of Tradition, followed by the Vintage class. After a general recall, the Grandes Dames cut the start line heading towards the town of Santo Stefano and then it was the turn of the Classics. The fleet sailed along the Giannella Beach and then headed towards the ancient town of Talamone. Last mark upwind right off the old harbours and then the final run with spinnakers hoisted to cut the finish line near the Yacht Club Santo Stefano club house with dolphins following.

After two races - Naif with owner helmsman Ivan Gardini is in the lead in her class. Linnet owned by Luna Rossa Patron Patrizio Bertelli is first in the Vintage + 200. Leonore with helmsman Mauro Pelaschier leads with Chinook in the Vintage–160 class (xx pt). In the Vintage - 200 class Skylark of 1937 is in the lead while Atrevido is first in the Classics + 160. Fruscio di Victura is first in the Spirit of Tradition class.

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