Argentario Sailing Week and Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge - Day 1
by Tessa Wiechmann 14 Jun 2018 19:36 BST
13-17 June 2018
Day 1 - Argentario Sailing Week and Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge © Fabio Taccola
Wet and wild weather for day one of racing at the 19th edition of Argentario Sailing Week. Sailors returned to the docks covered in salt and with big grins on their faces.
Sun, strong winds (up to 25 knots), rain and lightning and a good swell accompanied the 40 classic and vintage sailing yachts from 11 nations taking part in the classic event organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano in partnership with the Florentine haute horologerie brand Officine Panerai. The regatta will finish on Sunday 17 June.
Day one winners - Spirit of Tradition - Tabasco V (Lion Karl); Classici A - St. Christopher (Cabai Daria); Classici B - Sagittarius (Laffitte Tierry); Vintage Aurici - Linnet (Patrizio Bertelli); Vintage A Santana; Vintage B - Cippino II (Daniel Seilecki); Big Boats -Moonbeam of Fife.
After the Welcome cocktail held last night at the Sailing Club, this morning the skippers were welcomed by the new Mayor of Monte Argentario Franco Borghini who extended a warm welcome to all participants. "We are committed to collaborating even more with Argentario Sailing Week to meet your every need" he stated. "I, my Administration and the entire town of Porto Santo Stefano are at your disposal now and in the future. I believe that sport in general and sailing in particular can be a tremendous flywheel for the economic development of our territory and community. With the exception of commanding the weather, I will do what I can and look forward to being with you for dinner on Friday evening at the Spanish Fortress" concluded the Mayor of Monte Argentario.
Back on the quay after the regatta, Sporting Director of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano Marco Poma commented "As Yacht Club Santo Stefano, we deeply appreciate the words of Mayor Borghini and we are pleased to share our deep-rooted experience and know-how with the aim of helping to organize other sailing events that can be used as a stimulus to Argentario's economy ".
Commenting the first day of racing, Marco Poma said: "Seeing Queens of Sailing who are participating in Argentario for the first time like Olympian (1913 - Gerdner - France), Cippino II (1949 - Frers - Argentina) or Santana (2013 - Hoeck - Switzerland) gives me great joy. Furthermore, it confirms that Argentario Sailing Week has become a not-to-be missed event that attracts owners and sailors from all over the world".
As in past editions, the Argentario Sailing Week - Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge will be divided into five categories: Classic, Vintage, Big Boats, Spirit of Tradition, Metric classes and one-design. The Overall winners of the Regatta in the Classic, Vintage, Big Boat and Spirit of Tradition classes shall receive an Officine Panerai timepiece.
All participating yachts, their designers and stories are described in great detail on the event's Facebook page.