2024 Argentario Sailing Week Preview
by Tessa Wiechmann 8 Jun 18:48 BST
12-16 June 2024
2023 Argentario Sailing Week, day 4 © Marco Solari
Fifty Classic Yachts ready to race in Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany from 12 to 16 June 2024 in the most glamorous international event of the year.
The magical, not-to-be missed rendezvous for classic and vintage yachts is once again back in Porto Santo Stefano with the 23rd edition of Argentario Sailing Week organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano with the support of the Municipality of Monte Argentario.
So far, 50 Grandes Dames from 9 nations have enrolled, 18 of whom will be making their debut on the Argentario Bay racecourse with the islands of Giglio, Montecristo and Elba, and the ancient Roman harbor of Talamone serving as a stunning backdrop.
The smallest yacht of the fleet is Paloma designed by Gustav Estlander in 1933(9.5 meters), whereas the largest Grand Dame is Tuiga built in 1909 and designed by William Fife III (28 meters). At Argentario Sailing Week, Alzavola (Claud Worth 1934) will be celebrating her 100th Birthday, while Chaplin (Carlo Sciarrelli 1974) will be blowing out 50 candles.
Marco Poma, the vice president of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, is hands on in organizing the event: "The division of the fleet into racing categories is critical in ensuring fun and safe regattas. It allows boats to be grouped based on the other participants. The main parameters are a yacht's age (vintage, classic and IOR); the type of mainsail (gaff or Bermudan, which has an impact on the upwind angle); the size of the boat (tied to to the hull's maximum speed); the rating (which should be a measure of the yacht's performance) and some other factors, such as maneuverability and original class."
Poma also explained that the Argentario Sailing Week is part of the Mediterranean Circuit and therefore adheres to the strict rules established by CIM and by AIVE. As evidence of this regatta's importance, both Associations have chosen Argentario Sailing Week to test the new cruising category for the first time. This group brings together yacht designed exclusively for cruising, with limited performance, especially in light winds. regardless of age and type of rig.
"As we near the first day of racing, my thoughts go to Giancarlo Lodigiani, the late President of AIVE, who was always at my side in organizing this event: he will be happy to see so many boats racing in Porto S. Stefano and, among them, his as well. I am pleased to announce that Giancarlo's family has decided to establish the "Trofeo Voscià-Giancarlo Lodigiani" perpetual challenge trophy in his memory; a prize that will be awarded annually to the Yawl-rigged yacht with the best score at the Argentario Sailing Week," concluded Marco Poma.
As per Notice of Race 2024 Argentario Sailing Week fleet will be divided into the following categories:
- Vintage (yachts built of wood or metal and launched before 1950),
- Classic (yachts built of wood or metal and launched before 1976), as well as their Replicas, as per CIM rules
- Big Boats as per CIM rules
- Classic IOR (yachts built in wood, metal or composite, launched between 1st January 1970 and 31st December 1984, which remain in conformity with their original plans and can demonstrate that they have had a valid IOR certificate in the period) as per CIM rules 2022-2025
- Spirit of Tradition: yachts with LOA>10 m with a valid IRC certificate, after validation of the AO as per CIM rules
- S&S Swan (yachts with a valid ORC certificate club or International associated to the S&S Swan Association); minimum 4 yachts - otherwise shall join SoT and have a valid IRC certificate Metric Classes and One Design
Other Categories at the sole discretion of the OA
Lovers of sailing and beauty alike are welcome to come feast their eyes and admire up close 74 years of sailing history: from 1908 with graceful Mariska designed by William Fife III and owned by Tamariska Doo, to Pancho designed by Luigi Solari, launched in 1982.
As usual, the Grandes Dames of the Sea will be moored in Pilarella, the ancient port of Porto S. Stefano, where tourists and enthusiasts can admire the yachts up close moored along the pier promenade, while the crewmembers enjoy a well-deserved chilled beer on the quay after crossing bows and rounding marks on the Argentario Bay!
2024 ASW Program
Wednesday 12 June - Reserved for registration and measurement. In the evening, the Argentario Sailing Week Welcome Cocktail at the Yacht Club Santo Stefano.
Thursday 13 June - The Mayor of Monte Argentario welcomes participants at 8.30 a.m.in the Town Hall before the Skippers' briefing. Following the first scheduled regatta, beer party at the Race Village.
Friday 14 June - Skipper briefing (9 a.m.), followed by racing. Beer party at the Race Village and evening crew dinner offered by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano at the Spanish Fortress built in the 18th Century, which overlooks the Argentario Bay. (8 p.m.)
Saturday 15 June - Skipper briefing (9 a.m.) followed by racing. Celebration of Alzavola's. 100th birthday at the Race Village.
Sunday 16 June - Skipper briefing (9 a.m.) followed by racing. Prize Giving Ceremony at the Race Village (6 p.m.) followed by a Fair Winds Cocktail.
Partners of 2024 Argentario Sailing Week: ColleMassari wine estates, Geberit solutions, HOTEL LA ROQQA in Porto Ercole, MAG Consulting and Great Estate.
The Argentario Sailing Week 2024 enjoys the patronage of the Region of Tuscany, of the Province of Grosseto, of the Municipality of Monte Argentario and of the Italian Navy - Marina Militare Italiana. In addition to sponsoring the event, the Municipality of Monte Argentario concretely supports the event.
Argentario Sailing Week is one of the regattas that are part of the 2023 CIM Championship created by the Comite International de la Mediterranee, whose program includes events in Italy as well as in Spain, France and Monaco and of the 2023 Mediterranean Champions Cup created by the Vintage & Classic Yacht Club.
Find out more at argentariosailingweek.it