2024 Argentario Sailing Week - Day 1
by Tessa Wiechmann 14 Jun 06:15 BST
12-16 June 2024
Mixed weather conditions and good fun!
Ready, set, sail! The first day of racing at the 23nd edition of Argentario Sailing Week, in Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany saw mixed weather conditions, which started off with 16 knots from the south west. The Vintage yachts were first off the starting line under partially sunny skies, followed by the Classic and Cruiser class for start number 2, then Spirit of Tradition, Swan S&S and Classic IOR classes for start number 3 and finally by Big Boats for the fourth and last start. The 18-mile long course led the fleet under spinnaker just in front of the ancient harbor of La Pilarella, where tourists gathered to admire the Grandes Dames of the Sea in all their majesty. Half-way through the race, the skies clouded over with storms inland, the wind veered to the north and weakened notably. The fastest yachts were able to complete the race before the Race Committee announced to the remaining classes that racing was abandoned for the day. In the late afternoon, the sun made its return, just in time to welcome the crews back to the docks and to the beer party.
Yesterday evening, about 400 guests - owners and crew members - attended the welcome cocktail at the Yacht Club Santo Stefano Clubhouse overlooking the Gulf, enjoying local delicacies prepared by Chef Riccardo Picchianti and toasting to the much loved event in Porto Santo Stefano with ColleMassari wines. On Thursday morning, before the Skippers' briefing the Mayor of Monte Argentario Arturo Cerulli officially welcomed participants, stating "We are very glad to be hosting the 23rd edition of Argentario Sailing Week. This is the kind of tourism we want at Monte Argentario: high level beauty lovers". After racing, the Italian cartoonist and author Davide Besana illustrating the not-for-profit program Sail the Children while crew members enjoyed ice-cold beers.
Welcome Debutants!
This year, 13 yachts are making their debut at 2024 Argentario Sailing Week: Mariska (1908 William Fife III), Paloma (Gustav Estlander 1933), Java (1938 Raymond Hunt), Kipawa 1938 (1938 Christian Jensen), Ilda (1946 William Atkin), Gilla (1950 Henry Gruber), Gael (1962 Philip Rhodes), Kerkyra II (1968 Sparkman & Stephens), Pilgrim (1971 Laurent Giles Jack), Matchless (1976 Sparkman & Stephens), Grampus Due (1977 Sparkman & Stephens), Outrageous of Falmouth (1979 Sparkman & Stephens) and Freya (1981 Carlo Sciarrelli)
The "Trofeo Voscià-Giancarlo Lodigiani" perpetual challenge trophy has been established in his memory as of this year; a prize that will be awarded every year to the Yawl-rigged yacht with the best score at the Argentario Sailing Week,
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 with Italian cartoonist and author Davide Besana illustrating the not-for-profit program Sail the Children.
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 is the Official Wine Supplier of the Argentario Sailing Week in a full programme of activities supporting Alinghi Red Bull Racing, challenger in the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona; Geberit solutions is a European leader in the field of sanitary products and is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2024; HOTEL LA ROQQA in Porto Ercole is perfectly in tune with the surrounding landscape while retaining a contemporary, cosmopolitan feel. The slick, minimalist design combines artisanal furnishings with iconic pieces from the 1960s and 1970s; MAG Consulting was founded in 1978 by Vincenzo Impronta, is an insurance broker with over 40 years of experience. It became Lloyd's Correspondent and Coverholder in 1983; and Great Estate is the Italian real estate international agencies network specialized in the sale and purchase of farmhouses, villas, farms, hamlets and luxury castles towards an international clientele, as well as on the Italian real estate investment field in general.
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.
GARMIN and VERDISSIMO are the technical suppliers of Argentario Sailing Week
The history of Argentario Sailing Week begins in 1992 when a group of YCSS members organized a regatta for classic boats called Le Vele d'Argento. Over the years, the number of registered boats has increased, and since 1999, the event has been called Argentario Sailing Week.
Find out more at argentariosailingweek.it