2023 Argentario Sailing Week - Ready or not, here we come!
by Tessa Wiechmann 23 May 2023 07:02 PDT
14-18 June 2023
36 Classic Yachts with 9 debutants spanning 110 years of sailing history to race in Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany from 14 to 18 June 2023. The Foundation for Environmental Education awards the Blue Flag to six area beaches.
The magical, not-to-be missed rendezvous for classic and vintage yachts returns to Porto Santo Stefano with the 22nd edition of Argentario Sailing Week organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano and by the Municipality of Monte Argentario.
The Yacht Club Santo Stefano team is working hard to carry out the final preparations for the event that will kick off on Wednesday 14 June and wrap up on Sunday 18 June. 36 Grandes Dames from 8 nations have registered so far, 9 of which will be racing for the first time in the pristine waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea with the Argentario, the islands of Giglio, Montecristo and Elba, and the ancient Roman harbor of Talamone as a stunning backdrop.
The fleet of Classic Yachts will finally be able to enjoy - once again - 4 days of racing in one of the most breathtaking courses, renew old friendships created over the years and forge new ones. All this, in the year in which 6 beaches in the area, including Feniglia and Giannella, were awarded the prestigious Blue Flag by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a certification assigned to beaches and marinas that meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria.
For lovers of sailing and beauty alike, it is a feast for the eyes to be able to admire up close 110 years of sailing history: from 1908 with graceful Viola designed by William Fife III and owned by Kostia Belkin, to Toi e Moi, designed by Dykstra Naval Architects, launched in 2018 and owned by Alessandro Maria Rinaldi. Additionally, for the first time, at Argentario Sailing Week Classic IOR yachts will be storming the start line! Yachts must be built in wood, metal or composite, launched between 1 January 1970 and 31 December 1984, remain in conformity with their original plans, and be able to demonstrate that they have had a valid IOR certificate in the period.
Among other things, Argentario Sailing Week is a fundamental economic driver for the municipality of Monte Argentario and its surrounding territory, given the positive impact the race has on tourism and on the hospitality industry. An event, which generates over 1,000 incoming visitors between yacht-owners, crews, guests and sailing enthusiasts, many of whom arrive from foreign countries.
As usual, 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, while the crewmembers enjoy a well-deserved chilled beer on the quay after crossing bows and rounding marks on the Argentario Bay!
Welcome Debutants!
Making their debut at 2023 Argentario Sailing Week, Baruna of 1938 owned by Tara Getty, designed by Sparkman & Stephens in 1938; Dream owned by Francesco Persio Pennisi, designed by Sparkman & Stephens in 1976; Mania I owned by Fabio Cesaroni, designed by Cesare Sangermani in 1970; Matrero owned Aragon Rafael Perieira and designed by German Frers Sr.in 1970; Orianda owned by Igino Angelini, designed by Oskar Dahlstrom in 1937; Penelope owned by Marina Militare Italiana, designed by Sparkman & Stephens in 1965; Un Amour de Swan owned by Giandomenico Iannetti, designed by Sparkman & Stephens in 1974; Vanessa owned by Patrizio Bertelli, designed by Giulio Cesare Carcano in 1974, and; Viveka owned by Keith Mills, designed by Frank Paine in 1929
As per Notice of Race, the 2023 Argentario Sailing Week fleet will be divided into 8 categories: Vintage (yachts built of wood or metal and launched before 1950); Classic (yachts built of wood or metal and launched before 1976); Big Boats; Spirit of Tradition (yachts with LOA>10 m with a valid IRC certificate); Classic IOR (yachts built in wood, metal or composite, launched between 1st January 1970 and 31st December 1984, which remain in conformity with their original plans and can demonstrate that they have had a valid IOR certificate in the period); Wianno; S&S Swan (associated to the S&S Swan Association), and Metric Classes & One Design.
Argentario Sailing Week is one of the regattas that are part of the 2023 Mediterranean Champions Cup created by the Vintage & Classic Yacht Club, whose program includes events in Italy as well as in Spain, France and Monaco.
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 2023 enjoys the patronage of the Region of Tuscany, of the Province of Grosseto, of the Municipality of Monte Argentario and of the Italian Navy - Marina Militare Italiana. In addition to sponsoring the event, the Municipality of Monte Argentario concretely supports the event.
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