Classic yachts grace the Med

by Angela Rodi on 10 Sep 2005 The most attractive boats of the Mediterranean are actually all together in Sardinia, for the regatta-event of Porto Rotondo, third leg of the circuit Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2005.

On the first day the yachts’ woods and brasses were admired in the marina, with interest for some boats at their debut of and for some historical names of the sailing world. Weather for the first race was tough and for true sailors.

Cloudy sky and light wind, strengthened to 6-8 knots, for the first part of the regatta, a fascinating route between the little islands of Mortorio, Camize, Camere e Soffi. On the finish line, located in front of the Yacht Club Porto Rotondo, part of the fleet encountered some showers with gusts of wind on 25-20 knots. No damage recorded, the crews returned in port and enjoyed the after-regatta on the dock.

In the bigger boats Vintage Yacht class with ‘gaff’ rig (the most ancient), victory for one of the most famous boats of the circuit, the Tuiga of the Yacht Club Monaco, designed by legendary William Fife and built in 1909, 23 meters lenght with 390 square meters of sail. Tuiga won the first duel with Mariette (the winner at Argentario sailing week) of the owner Tom Perkins, from USA.

In the smaller boats Vintage Yacht class with ‘gaff’ rig, the victory went to Bona Fide of the Giuseppe Giordano, 13 meters of 1899 built to participate the Olympic Games of Paris 1900, just before Marilee owned by Riccardo Bianchetti and of Veronique of the Belgian owner Hans Albrecht. In this class also the glorious Vistona of the president of the Yacht Club Porto Rotondo Giovan Battista Borea D’Olmo (4°) and the Tirrenia owned by AIVE chairman Gianni Loffredo (5°).

In the bigger Vintage Yacht class ‘bermudian’ (with ‘Marconi’ rig) victory for Mariella of Carlo Falcone ahed of Agneta of Peter Engels and Magda XIII, attractive beginners boat, Anker project of 1938 restored in 2004 for the skipper Paolo Ranalli.

In the smaller of the same category victory for Cholita of Marilinda Nettis (on board Dani Says Fat), before Peter of Claudio Mealli and Tamara IX owned by the Luna Rossa 2000 designer Doug Peterson.

In the bigger class of Classic Yacht victory for Alcor Secondo of Alessandro Gucci, before Windigo of Andrea Boroli and Rosalu of Romilda Bollati of Saint Pierre. In the smaller of the same class success of Golondrina by Francesco Gasparini, before Al Na' Ir III of Fabio Mangione and Outlow of Mike Horsey.

Vele d’Epoca a Porto Rotondo Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge
The Program

Thursday 8 September
0900 Briefing
1100 regatta
Happy Hour in the Regatta Village
1700 Dock fun Games (arm wrestle)

Friday 9 September
1100 regatta
Happy Hour in the Regatta Village
1700 Dock fun Games (bowsprit fight)
2130 Concert of the ‘Sweet Water Jazz Band’ in the Village

Saturday 10 September
1100 regatta
Happy Hour in the Regatta Village
1700 Dock fun Games
2100 Dinner in the Village

Sunday 11 September
Pricegiving