2024 Argentario Sailing Week - Overall
by Tessa Wiechmann 16 Jun 21:20 BST
12-16 June 2024
2024 Argentario Sailing Week © Argentario Sailing Week
The Vintage and Classic Yacht regatta Argentario Sailing Week - organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano with the support of the Region of Tuscany and Municipality of Monte Argentario - wrapped up in Maremma, Tuscany, after four days of fantastic racing, great weather and fun on the docks.
Over 40 yachts from 9 nations made the hamlet of Porto Santo Stefano their "home away from home" for a week or so. Argentario Sailing Week ASW2025 will take place from 18 to 22 June.
Marco Poma, vice-president and sports director of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano summarized the last day of racing: "Today was a very technical regatta with a 13-mile course, under sunny skies with flat seas and south-east breeze between 12 and 14 knots at the start that increased as the day progressed. Dreamlike conditions for the entire fleet. A worthy conclusion to this 23rd edition of the Argentario Sailing Week with a lot of smiling faces on the dock".
ASW2024 winners:
Big Boats: Mariska (1908-William Fife III) Tamariska Doo
Vintage: Chinook (1916-Herreshoff) Paolo Zannoni
Classic: Crivizza (1966-Buchanan) Ariella Cattai & Luigi Rolandi
Classic IOR: Matrero (1970-Frers) Rafael Pereira Aragon
Spirit of Tradition: Freya (1981-Sciarrelli) Luca Celeghini
S&S Swan Matchless (1976- Sparkman & Stephens) Giacomo Bei
Cruiser Barbara (1923-Charles Nicholson) Roberto Olivieri
Trofeo Voscià-Giancarlo Lodigiani" Barbara (1923-Charles Nicholson) Roberto Olivieri
The "Trofeo Voscià-Giancarlo Lodigiani" perpetual challenge trophy was established this year in Giancarlo's memory; a prize that will be awarded every year to the Yawl-rigged yacht with the best score at the Argentario Sailing Week,
Winner comments
Mariska (1974-William Fife III) owner Tamariska Doo Some of the best racing in the Mediterranean! Manager and First Mate Manon Bejant, back on the docks stated: "We are happy to be racing here for the first time! Everyone says Argentario Sailing Week is the best regatta in the Mediterranean because of the beauty and challenges of the race course area. Yesterday's racing conditions kept our tactician on his toes and today we figured out that we must continually monitor the weather and wind shifts due to the layout of the land, with its plains and hills. The gulf of the Argentario makes it interesting for all. Additionally, People in Porto Santo Stefano are extremely friendly, the staff is great and this is a peaceful and darling village. The homeport is Barcelona and Mariska races with a crew of 20 of which 8 are permanent and the rest are guests.
Chinook (1916-Herreshoff) owner Paolo Zannoni Dream racing conditions Skipper Maximilian Well: "This is my first year as the Skipper of Chinook and I must say that the second day of racing offered us those dream conditions Argentario is so well known for. The evening event up at the Spanish Fortress was breath taking, the hospitality memorable (thank you Da Tony) and the staff ashore professional and helpful. Seeing such a large fleet racing in the Gulf of Argentario was a delight. On board we push each other to the max and I am happy with the result. 60% of the crew is new and together we are improving. Among the new crew members, three who are part of the Luna Rossa Youth program, specifically at the helm, calling tactics and at the main sheet. They are a key factor in Chinook's future."
Crivizza (1966-Alan Buchanan) Gigi Rolandi & Ariella Cattai Nerves of Steel "Sometimes here it's like turning tables. Hard to predict but lots of fun! We chose the right sails and this certainly helped us win. This, together with nerves of steel in the most difficult moments. The race course is beautiful; difficult but wonderful. Another element that makes Argentario Sailing Week unique is the hospitality and conviviality on land: you feel part of a healthy community. Finally, all these vintage boats are steeped in history, but there are many young people as crew members. They are passionate about boats that belonged to our youth.
Matrero (1970-Frers) Owner Rafael Pereira Aragon Kudos to the organization Helmsman Martin Busch "We are able to manage the wind shifts very well and sailed through the first hole. We actually rounded the second mark just off the stern of Il Moro di Venezia. I can say we are truly satisfied with our crew work. By the way, the party last night at the Spanish Fortress was, once again, unforgettable. Kudos to the organization."
Freya (1981-Sciarrelli) Luca Celeghini Heard it through the grapevine "For fifteen years in June we used to race in the Giraglia, but now we were looking for something new. We had heard great things about Argentario Selingua and so we decided to sign up. We really enjoyed ourselves. The weather was wonderful and the race course is very technical with quick witted competitors. The warm hospitality speaks for itself. From here we sail to Rhodes and will return to Italy at the beginning of September."
Matchless (1976- Sparkman & Stephens) owner, Giacomo Bei "This is the first time that we come to Argentario Sailing Week and we really hope that the Sparkman & Stephens Association will encourage more participants of our class to come next year. The stunning beauty of the area, the excellent organization, the number of participants, the sea, the history are all factors that contributed in our taking part in the event The race course was excellent, we always managed to sail with waves that were perfect for us. See you in 2025!"
Barbara (1923-Charles Nicholson) Roberto Olivieri "I am very proud and moved. With Barbara we won Cruiser class and the Trofeo Voscià Giancarlo Lodigiani. It's a wonderful feeling. Lodigiani was a true innovator, a gentleman of the sea and had strongly campaigned for the creation of the Cruiser class: he finally succeded and the cruiser class is excellendt for the entire circuit. I've been coming to Porto Santo Stefano to race since 2019 and I've seen this beautiful event grow every year. Argentario Sailing Week offers a race course that's unique in the world and with excellent organization both on land and at sea. Guaranteed fun!
Event website: argentariosailingweek.it