Argentario Sailing Week - Preview: The Grandes Dames return to Tuscany
by Tessa Wiechmann 14 Jun 2022 11:01 PDT
15-19 June 2022
Argentario Sailing Week The Grandes Dames © James Robinson Taylor /
www.jrtphoto.com
After a two-year forced break, the magic of the not-to-be missed event for classic and vintage yachts returns to Porto Santo Stefano.
The final preparations are under way to celebrate the 21st edition of Argentario Sailing Week organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano and by the Municipality of Monte Argentario that will begin on Wednesday 15 June and wrap up on Sunday 19 June 2022.
36 boats from eight countries have registered, 14 of which are debutantes for the first time. The fleet of Classic Yachts will finally be able to enjoy - once again - 4 days of racing in the pristine waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea with the islands of Giglio, Montecristo and Elba as a stunning backdrop. For lovers of sailing and beauty, this is an unmissable opportunity to admire up close 117 years of sailing history ranging from 1903 with formidable Scud designed by Nathaniel Herreshoff and owned by Patrizio Bertelli, to Golfo Misitco designed by Giovanni Ceccarelli and launched in 2020.
For the extended crew "family", for the community of Porto Santo Stefano and for all sailing enthusiasts, this edition of Argentario Sailing Week represent a chance to renew old friendships created over the years and to forge new ones. An opportunity to cross bows and round marks on the Argentario Bay and then later to meet on the quay to share a laugh and good times. For Porto Santo Stefano and for its surrounding territory, the Argentario Sailing Week marks a milestone in the restart of tourist-accommodation activities thanks to the influx of over 1,000 visitors, many of whom from foreign countries.
As always, the Grandes Dames of the Sea will be moored in Pilarella, the ancient port of Porto S. Stefano, where tourists and enthusiasts can admire the yachts up close moored along the pier promenade.
Welcome debutants!
Making their debut in the Vintage class at Argentario Sailing Week Scud owned by Patrizio Bertelli, designed by Herreshoff nel 1903, with legendary Torben Grael calling tactics, Recluta, designed by German Frers in 1944 with the entire Frers family racing on-board, mysterious Sumurun (William Fife William III-1914), and La Spina, the first Italian 12 m S.I. designed by Vincenzo Baglietto in 1929.
The yachts making their debut in the Classic class are Artica II of the Marina Militare Italiana (1956-Illingworth & Laurent), Grifone also of the Italian Navy (1963) and Crivizza designed by Alan Buchanan (1966).
In the Swan class, Dream (1976), Outrageous (1979) e Tikka III (1970), all designed by Sparkman & Stevens, are participating in the Tuscan event for the first time.
In the Spirit of Tradition class, Argentario Sailing Week 2022 welcomes Albelimar III, designed by Carlo Sciarrelli (1977), Midva, (Ron Holland - 1982) and Golfo Mistico designed by Giovanni Ceccarelli and owned by Aldo Ferruzzi (2020).
Can't wait to see you Old Hands!
In the Vintage class, Argyll (1948-Sparkman&Stephens), Barbara (1923-Charles Nicholson), Chinook (1916-Herreshoff), Chips (1913- Burgess W. Starling), Comet (1946-Sparkman&Stevens), Hallowe'en (1926-William Fife III), Manitou (1937-Sparkman&Stephens), Marga (1910-Liljiegren), Olympian (1913-Gardner), Rowdy (1916-Herreschoff), Skylark of 1937 (1937-Sparkman&Stevens), Stormy Weather of Cowes (1934-Sparkman & Stephens) and Varuna (1939-Sparkman&Stevens) return to race once again in the Argentario Gulf.
Among the Classics, Il Moro di Venezia I (1975-German Frers), Eloisa (1970-Beconcini), Galahad (1962 - Morgan), Jo-Ir II (Valdettaro-1972) and Voscià (1959-Sparkman&Stevens) are back again, whilst Ojalà II (1973-Sparkman&Stephens) will be racing in the Swan class.
Last but not least, Hanni II (2013-Hoek), Tintagel (1994-Hoek Design) and Toi e Moi (2018 - Dykstra) are back in the Spirit of Tradition class.
For the 2022 edition, the Argentario Sailing Week fleet will be divided into four categories: Vintage (wooden or metal yachts built before 1950), Classics (wooden or metal yachts built before 1976), Spirit of Tradition, and S&S Swan belonging to the S&S Swan Association.
The welcome cocktail will be held on Wednesday evening at the clubhouse of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, which offers a stunning view of the bay and of the breathtaking Tuscan landscape. The first race is scheduled for Thursday 16 June after the welcome ceremony and the skipper briefing at the Town Hall of Monte Argentario. On Friday evening, the Spanish Fortress of Porto Santo Stefano overlooking the Argentario Gulf will be the perfect setting for a memorable dinner for all Argentario Sailing Week participants. One race a day is scheduled. On Sunday 19 June, the Awards Ceremony will take place at the Regattas Village at 6.00 pm, after racing
2022 ASW Program
Wednesday 15 June - Reserved for registration and measurement. In the evening, the Argentario Sailing Week welcome cocktail will take place at the Yacht Club Santo Stefano.
Thursday 16 June - The Mayor of Monte Argentario will greet all participants at 8.30 at the Town Hall before the Skippers' briefing. Following the first scheduled regatta and the return to the Beer Party at the Race Village.
Friday 17 June - Skipper briefing, followed by regattas. In the evening, the Spanish Fortress built in the 18th Century overlooking the Argentario Bay will provide a magical setting for the crew dinner organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano starting at 8 p.m.
Saturday 18 June - Skipper briefing at 9 a.m. Racing followed by Beer Party at the racing village
Sunday 19 June - 9.00 am skipper briefing, followed by racing. Prize Giving Ceremony 2022 at the Race Village (6 p.m.) followed by a Farewell Cocktail.
The history of Argentario Sailing Week begins in 1992 when a group of YCSS members organized a regatta for classic boats called Le Vele d'Argento. Over the years, the number of registered boats has increased and since 1999 the event has been called Argentario Sailing Week.
The Argentario Sailing Week 2022 is organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano and the Municipality of Monte Argentario with the patronage of the Tuscany Region, the Province of Grosseto, the Municipality of Monte Argentario and the Italian Navy. In addition to sponsoring the event, the Municipality of Monte Argentario has also contributed to the event financially.
The sponsors of the 21st edition of the Argentario Sailing Week are: Engel & Völkers Castiglione della Pescaia and Toscano Collezioni srl.
The technical partners supporting the organization are: Verdissimo, Iacobelli Liquori sas, Podere 414 and the LaMMA Consortium for the weather forecasts.
The mooring quay is in concession to the Società Porto Turistico Domiziano spa.
More information at argentariosailingweek.it