Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge at Argentario Sailing Week - Day 1
by Tessa Wiechmann 20 Jun 2014 19:58 BST
19-22 June 2014
First day of racing in Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany, at the 15th Edition Argentario Sailing Week, third round of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2014. Over 40 boats from six nations, Denmark, France, Great Britain Ireland, Switzerland and Italy cast off shortly after ten in the morning and sailed towards the race course under sunny skies and with a south-westerly 10-12 knot breeze.
The winners of Day 1 are: Mariquita (Big Boats), Jalina (Vintage > 200), Sirius (Vintage < 200), Namib (Classic > 200), Chin Blu III (Classic > 120), Il Moro di Venezia I (Classic < 120), Raindrop (Spirit of Tradition), Vim (12 mt SI).
Back on the docks Patrice Clerc, tactician on board Shamrock V, stated "I have raced Argentario Sailing Week in two past editions, first on Mariquita and then Cambria, but this is Shamrock's first time! What always amazes me is the color of the water. Today we started out with a deep blue hue, which then turned into cobalt, turquoise, aquamarine and finally vivid green on our way back. The sea color of course reflects the wind patterns: this is a challenging racecourse that always keeps you on your toes. The beauty of the natural scenery with the Tuscan coastline as a backdrop and the warm, friendly welcome that always awaits for us ashore make this Regatta memorable.The standards of quality at this event are so high that it is hard to say what could be improved":
First off the starting line Yachts in the Classic class, followed shortly later by the Vintage one, then Big Boats, 12 meter class and the Spirit of Tradition. With the starting line just off Giannella beach, the Grand Dames sailed to the windward mark close to the town of Porto Santo Stefano, then heading downwind to Talamone and returning to cross the finish line under the Yacht Club Santo Stefano. The 12-meter class completed two races whereas Spirit of Tradition completed three.
In the early morning, the Mayor of Porto Santo Stefano, Arturo Cerulli had greeted the skippers and presented them with a gift from the Municipality to thank them for making the event such a success year after year.
In the evening owners and crews dined at the Tenuta Agricola dell'Uccellina, after having enjoyed Panerai Tent hospitality.
The stories and legends of all yachts taking part in Argentario Sailing Week can be found on www.facebook.com/ArgentarioSailingWeek.
Racing at the International Regatta continues tomorrow, Saturday and finishes on Sunday, June 22nd with the Prize giving Ceremony followed by a Farewell cocktail held at the Race Village.
The fleet taking part in Argentario Sailing Week has been divided in five categories: Vintage, Classic, Big Boats, Spirit of Tradition, Metric classes and One Designs. Officine Panerai will award the top three in the Classic, Vintage, Big Boats and Spirit of Tradition categories and the yacht that ranks first overall in the Classic, Vintage, Big Boat and Spirit of Tradition categories.
The Classic Yachting event is organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano in partnership with the Florentine haute horologerie brand Officine Panerai, which for the 10th consecutive year is sponsoring the largest international circuit of regattas reserved for classic yachts.
The Argentario Sailing Week 2014 is organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano with the patronage of the Region of Tuscany, the Province of Grosseto the Municipality and of AIVE (Italian Association of Vintage Yachts). The local tourism board supports the event. Officine Panerai is the Title Sponsor. Other sponsors: Argentario Approdi Spa and Tenuta Agricola dell'Uccellina. Technical Sponsors: NYL FTS and Argentarola srl. Official Suppliers Roman's and Garden Vivai Mediterranei. Weather forecast for the Race Area Consorzio LaMMA
The Argentario Sailing Week is part of the Mediterranean Circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge. The opening stage was Les Voiles d'Antibes (4-8 June). It is followed by the Argentario Sailing Week in Porto Santo Stefano, Vele d'Epoca in Naples (2-6 July 2014), X Copa del Rey de Barcos de Epoca in Mahon (26-30 August), the Vele D'Epoca d'Imperia (10-14 September). The final event will take place in Cannes with the Régates Royales (23-27 September 2013).
www.argentariosailingweek.it
Officine Panerai
Founded in Florence in 1860 as a laboratory, shop and watchmaking school, Officine Panerai for many years was the supplier of high precision instruments for the Italian Navy, mostly for the needs of Special Forces divers. The projects developed during this period - including the Luminor and Radiomir watch - were covered by military secret for years and their launch took place on the international market after the acquisition of the brand by the Richemont group in 1997. Today Officine Panerai develops and produces its own movements and watches in the Neuchâtel facility. The watches represent a synthesis between Italian design and history and Swiss craftsmanship, and are sold worldwide through an exclusive network of distributors and brand boutiques.
Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge
The sea represents Panerai's identity and its place of origin. To honor its historic ties with the sea, for 10 years Officine Panerai has been committed to sustaining the culture of classic sailing through the sponsorship of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the leading international circuit for classic and vintage yachts. In 2007, Panerai bought and restored the Bermudian ketch Eilean, built in 1936 by the legendary yards Fife in Fairlie, now brand ambassador during the classic yacht regattas.
www.paneraiclassicyachtschallenge.com