2024 Argentario Sailing Week - Day 3
by Tessa Wiechmann 15 Jun 2024 10:57 PDT
12-16 June 2024
The third day of racing at Argentario Sailing Week - the classic and vintage yacht regatta organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano with the support of the Region of Tuscany and Municipality of Monte Argentario - kicked off shortly after 12 with 10 knots from the south east: a shifty breeze that rotated all the way to the south west during the race.
100-year old Alzavola today raced with a truly unique crew, the "UnTacklables". Leaving the rugby field ashore, members competed in a sailing regatta for the first time. Rugby and sailing are team sports par excellence and Claudio Tinari - an Italian rugby player in the 1980s, founder and first president of the Capitolina Rugby Union, as well as owner of Alzavola - knows this well. Thus, the idea of creating an inclusive rugby and sailing team where all abilities are included, everyone is given the opportunity of becoming involved and where all can improve their sporting and social skills. After 15 years of hands-on social commitment on the topic of diversity and inclusion expressed through rugby, this is the concrete message that Tinari family bring to the world of sailing: participation as a right for every individual. Alzavola is an 18 meter ketch launched in 1924, designed by Claud Worth.
Yesterday evening, the owners and crews enjoyed a dinner organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano in the Spanish Fortress built in the 18th Century, which overlooks the Argentario Bay. A magical way to wrap up the day.
Focus on
Crivizza (1966-Alan Buchanan)
Back on the docks, co-owner Ariella Cattai spoke about the day: "Today was a nail biting regatta: we started off with a nice breeze, then it disssapeared. Then is came back from a different direction. It was like playing turning tables. Hard to predict but lots of fun! Passion ran high, as you would gleefully pass you competitors, only then to fall in a hole and see them closing in. We chose the right sails and this certainly helped us win. This, together with nerves of steel in the most difficult moments. The race course is beautiful; difficult but wonderful. Another element that makes Argentario Sailing Week unique is the hospitality and conviviality on land: you feel part of a healthy community. Finally, all these vintage boats are steeped in history, but there are many young people as crew members. They are passionate about boats that belonged to our youth.
Matrero (1970-German Frers)
Helmsman Martin Busch summarized the day "We are able to manage the wind shifts very well and sailed through the first hole. We actually rounded the second mark just off the stern of Il Moro di Venezia. I can say we are truly satisfied with our crew work. By the way, the party last night at the Spanish Fortress was, once again, unforgettable. Kudos to the organization."
Gilla (1950-Henry Gruber)
Gilla was born in 1950 in Bremen based on a design by Henry Gruber, the same designer of Hitler's boat. In 2000, the current owner Daniele Claudio Ceresani found her in Newport, Rhode Island, fell in love with her and bought her. After years in Fano, in the Adriatic Sea, the owner decided to explore the Tyrrhenian Sea. "This is a wonderful regatta, very well organized with an amazing race course. So happy to be here"
The "Trofeo Voscià-Giancarlo Lodigiani" perpetual challenge trophy has been established in his memory as of this year; a prize that will be awarded every year to the Yawl-rigged yacht with the best score at the Argentario Sailing Week,
Provisional leaderboard
BIG BOATS: 1° Mariska - Tamariska Doo 2 pt; 2 degrees Mariella - Carlo Falcone 5 pt; 3 degrees Hallowe'en - Inigo Strez 5 pt;
CRUISER YACHTS: 1° Star Sapphire of London - Jakob Glatz 4 pt. 2 degrees Barbara - Roberto Olivieri 4 pt.; 3 degrees Ilda - Maria Patrizia Cioni 7 pt.;
CLASSICI: 1° Crivizza - Ariella Cattai 2 pt; 2 degrees St. Christopher - Daria Cabai - Valentin Martin 4 pt; 3 degrees Optimista - Antonio del Balzo 6 pt;
SPIRIT OF TRADITION: 1° Freya - Luca Celeghini 2 pt.; 2 degrees Pancho - Del Gallo Di Roccagiovine - Aresu pt. 4; 3 degrees Albelimar III - Marco Claudio Corneli pt.7;
S&S SWAN: 1° Matchless - Giacomo Bei 2 pt; 2 degrees Outrageous of Falmouth - Fabrizio Savariano 6 pt. 3 degrees Tikka III - Luca Alessandrelli 7 pt;
VINTAGE: 1° Chinook - Paolo Zannoni 6 pt; 2 degrees Marga - Iginio Angelini 7 pt; 3 degrees Comet - Woodward - Fisher 9 pt;
CLASSIC IOR: 1° Matrero - Rafael Periera Aragon 6 pt; 2 degrees Moro di Venezia - Massimiliano Ferruzzi 7 pt; 3 degrees Ojalà II - Susan Carol Holland 7 pt.