Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge at Argentario Sailing Week - Day 2
by Tessa Wiechmann 21 Jun 2014 20:05 BST
19-22 June 2014
Rugby and yachting join forces
Racing at the 15th Edition Argentario Sailing Week continued on Saturday in Maremma, Tuscany. Once again sunny skies, sparkling blue waters and a breathtaking view of the Tuscan coast and Giglio Island provided the backdrop for over 40 Grandes Dames of the Sea taking part in the third round of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2014.
Italian National Rugby team player Andrea Lo Cicero raced on Chinook, the splendid 1916 Gaff Cutter who won today's race in her class, owned by Graham Walker. Both share a love for yachting and rugby: "I played until I was 39 years old, captained many teams and was the Director of the London Irish Club at the start of the Premier League. Then I fell in love with yachting", stated Walker, who has won the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge three times.
Back on the dock, Lo Cicero commented: "This was my first time racing on a classic yacht and it is quite amazing how similar rugby and sailing are. Both sports are based on seamless communication, no prima-donnas and a genuine team effort to reach a common goal. Physical strength counts, but what is even more important is moving effortlessly with elegance on board to ensure all maneuvers are fluid and efficient. This was truly a great day for me and I cannot wait to race with Chinook again tomorrow. It is wonderful that Graham Walker and I share the same passions ".
Andrea Lo Cicero won his 100th cap for Italy against Scotland in the 2013 Six Nations tournament. He announced he was retiring from the Italian national team after their final game of the 2013 Six Nations against Ireland, and came on to massive cheers from Italian fans. (Wikipedia)
First off the starting line this morning at 11 am the Big Boat class. A light breeze challenged tacticians and crews alike as the Yachts of all classes rounded the first leeward mark in front of town of Santo Stefano with very little wind following an almost 100 degree wind shift. The local thermal conditions then kicked in and the fleet sailed off towards Talamone and around the 15 mile course, returning to Porto Santo Stefano in the afternoon.
In the evening sailors enjoyed an Oyster Cocktail at the Race Village while in the Panerai lounge appetizers and cocktails were being served as well. Tomorrow Sunday 22 June, the Prize giving Ceremony will be followed by a Farewell cocktail held at the Race Village.
Winners of Day 2; Mariquita (Big Boats), Jalina (Vintage > 200), Chinook (Vintage < 200), Namib (Classic > 200), Naif (Classic > 120), Il Moro di Venezia I (Classic < 120), Wianno with a double bullet (Spirit of Tradition), Vim (12 mt SI).
The stories and legends of all yachts taking part in Argentario Sailing Week can be found on https://www.facebook.com/ArgentarioSailingWeek.
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