Argentario Sailing Week and Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge – Day 4

by Tessa Wiechmann on 19 Jun 2017 Fourth and final day of racing at Argentario Sailing Week with tricky wind conditions for the tacticians on board the 46 classic yachts in Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany. At the start, a ten knot breeze from the north east that in the course of the race was replaced by the typical Maremma thermal breeze from the west-north-west.

With the fleet weaving its way around the marks set in front of the Giannella beach and Porto Santo Stefano with Montecristo and Elba Island providing a breathtaking backdrop. A stunning setting that the 13 Debutantes at Argentario Sailing Week - The second leg of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Mediterranean Circuit - have all fallen in love with over the past week. The first mark rounding was also unforgettable on the final day of racing with the four Herreshoff beauties etched against the coast; Linnet (1905-NY 30) followed by Spartan (1913-NY50), Chinook (1916-NY40) and Rowdy (1916-NY40).

Final Results
After for races with one discard, the winners of Argentario Sailing Week are:with four victories in four days, Ivan Gardini on Naif (Dick Carter-1973) in the 'Classic A” division; Ganbare (Doug Peterson-1973) owned by Don Wood in the Classic B division.; four first placements in a row also for Linnet (Herreshoff-1905) owner Patrizio Bertelli in the Vintage Aurici class; victory on equal points with Enterprise for Rowdy (Herreshoff-1916) owner Dyer Howard in the Vintage Marconi A class; Skylark of 1937 (Sparkman and Stephens- 1937) in Vintage Marconi B; Raindrop (Manley Crosby – 1914/2014) wins in the Spirit of Tradition Class and finally Moombeam of Fife (William Fife III-1903) is the overall winner in the Big Boats category.

Marco Poma, sports director at Yacht Club Santo Stefano, commented this 18th edition of Argentario Sailing Week “The new format with four racing days was a winning one and participants really appreciated the change. We will be continuing in the same direction even in 2018. A special thanks goes to all who have worked so hard to make this regatta a success, to the administration of Monte Argentario, to our sponsors and to Panerai who is always at our side”.

Images of previous racing days are online on the event’s Facebook page.

Stories – Day 4
Circe, the iconic Sparkman and Stephens and winner of the 1951 Fastnet Race, is racing in Argentario for the first time, as is her owner Tetje Van Driesten. “Argentario is truly a great race. Here you do not need a filter, you can be who you are and just enjoy the beauty and charm of the venue both on the water and on land. We received an extremely warm welcome from everyone in Santo Stefano and the feel like we are family”, Tetje stated back from racing. Circe arrived in Genova in a container one year ago after finding her in San Diego, participating in a farewell race with the previous owner, sailing her to Mexico, crossing the Panama Canal and then the Atlantic on a ship. “I have never felt so safe and secure sailing as I have on Circe. I knew it was going to be either black or white and the moment I got on board, I felt a strong, intimate connection with her. She was the right boat for me, the only one. We have no professional crew on board … there is always a new sail to buy!” Tetje concluded.

Pietro d’Alì -the helmsman on Linnet (NY30 Class designed by Herreshoff in 1905) owned by Patrizio Bertelli - started racing at the age of 13 on Giorgio Falck’s yacht Guia IV and among other endeavors, was main trimmer for Luna Rossa in 2000. “When helming these classic beauties, one must be tender and stern at the same time. I love the fact of being so close to the water, the smell and feel of wood; it is alive and vibrant compared to fiberglass. On top of that, being on board with so many of the Luna Rossa crew, brings me back to a wonderful part of my life and I am honored to be with Patrizio Bertelli again.”