Argentario Sailing Week 14-19 June 2017

The 18th edition of Argentario Sailing Week kicks off on 14 June, and this year the yachts will race for four days compared to three in previous editions. 

Hosted by Porto Santo Stefano in partnership with the watchmakers Officine Panerai, the event constitutes the second leg of the Mediterranean Circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, against a backdrop of the islands of Giglio, Giannutri, Montecristo and Elba. 

The Grandes Dames of the Sea

Big Boats & Grandes Dames

Cambria (1928) and Moonbeam of Fife (1903) return to Argentario in the Big Boats class to face off Hallowe'en (1926), all three designed by the Scottish designer William Fife III (1857-1944). William Fife III also designed and built the first Shamrock (1899) and the third one in 1903 for Sir Thomas Lipton, as well as Eilean (1937) owned by Officine Panerai, used on the set of Duran Duran's "Rio" music video.

Eilean, Photo: JR Taylor

Vintage Yachts

Sixxteen boats have registered in the Vintage Class, four of which were designed by US naval designer Nathanael Greene Herreshoff I (1848-1938): Rowdy (1916), Chinookwith Italian rugby star Andrea Lo Cicero joining the crew), Linnet (1905) owned by Patrizio Bertelli, and Spartan (1913) making her debut this year.  

Fans will also be able to catch a glimpse of Alzavola (1924), White Wings (1938) designed by John Alden, Morwenna (1914) and Circe designed by Sparkman and Stephens and the 1951 Fastnet winner.

Classic Yachts

So far, four yachts in the Classic Yachts category will make their debut at Argentario Sailing Week.

One-tonner Ganbare (1973), which in Japanese means courage and strength, was designed by a young Doug Peterson, Forban V (1955) designed by the French naval architect Eugene Cornu, Famalù (1957) designed by Laurent Giles, and St. Christopher designed by a young German Frers whIile he was an apprentice at the Sparkman & Stephens studio in New York.

Other boats of note in this class are the sloop Naif, captained by Ivan Gardini and Il Moro di Venezia I owned by Massimiliano Ferruzzi. Naif was designed by Dick Carter and  took part in the 1973 Admiral's Cup and Fastnet with Cino Ricci at the helm. Il Moro di Venezia I was designed by German Frers in 1976 and she is the first yacht to bear the name of a sailboat dynasty and of the America's Cup.

Naif, Photo: JR Taylor

Spirit of Tradition

The fleet of Wiannos designed by Manley Crosby in 1914 will be represented by four boats: Pyxis, Raindrop, Wianno and Wind & Wine. Making her debut is Savannah (1997) designed by Pedrick and Fairlie (2011).

Prizes

As in past editions, the Argentario Sailing Week will be divided into five categories: Classic Yachts, Vintage Yachts, 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 all receive an Officine Panerai timepiece.

Mother and child, Photo: Lanfrancotti/marinepartners

Program

Wednesday 14 June
Registration and measurement.
Evening welcome cocktail will take place at the Yacht Club Santo Stefano.

Thursday 15 June|
8.30am - The Mayor of Monte Argentario will greet participants at the Town Hall before the Skippers’ briefing.
11am - The first warning signal. 

Friday 16 June
Racing.
8pm - Crew dinner at the 18th Century Spanish fortress organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano.  

Saturday 17 June
Racing.

Sunday 18 June
Prize Giving at the race village followed by a farewell cocktail.

 

The Argentario Sailing Week 2017 is organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano with the patronage of the region of Tuscany, the Province of Grosseto, and the Municipality of Monte Argentario, the Municipality of the Island of Giglio and of AIVE (Italian Association of Vintage Yachts).

The event is also supported by the local tourist board and Officine Panerai is the Title Sponsor. Other sponsors include Argentario Approdi Spa, SLAM and Argentarola srl. Official Suppliers: Roman’s and Verdissimo.

The Mediterranean Circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge:

Les Voiles d’Antibes (31 May-4 June).

Argentario Sailing Week in Porto Santo Stefano (14-19 June).

The XIV Copa del Rey de Barcos de Época in Mahon (29 August-2 September).

The Régates Royales in Cannes (26-30 September). 

Yacht Club Santo Stefano, Photo: JR Taylor