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Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge: Day 1 of racing - Argentario Sailing Week 2014 - Mariquita Crew
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Friday, 20 June 2014 – First day of racing in Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany, at the 15th Edition
Argentario Sailing Week, third round of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2014. Over
40 boats from six nations, Denmark, France, Great Britain Ireland, Switzerland and Italy cast
off shortly after ten in the morning and sailed towards the race course under sunny skies and
with a south-westerly 10-12 knot breeze.
The winners of Day 1 are: Mariquita (Big Boats), Jalina (Vintage > 200), Sirius (Vintage <
200), Namib (Classic > 200), Chin Blu III (Classic > 120), Il Moro di Venezia I (Classic <
120), Raindrop (Spirit of Tradition), Vim (12 mt SI).
Back on the docks Patrice Clerc, tactician on board Shamrock V, stated: “I have raced
Argentario Sailing Week in two past editions, first on Mariquita and then Cambria, but this is
Shamrock’s first time! What always amazes me, is the color of the water. Today we started
out with a deep blue hue which then turned into cobalt, turquoise, aquamarine and finally
vivid green on our way back. The sea color of course reflects the wind patterns: this is a
challenging race course that always keeps you on your toes. The beauty of the natural scenery
with the Tuscan coastline as a backdrop and the warm, friendly welcome that always awaits
for us ashore make this Regatta memorable .The standards of quality at this event are so high
that it is hard to say what could be improved”:
First off the starting line Yachts in the Classic class, followed shortly later by the Vintage one, then Big Boats, 12 meter class and the Spirit of Tradition. With the starting line just off of Giannella beach, the Grand Dames sailed to the windward mark close to the town of Porto
Santo Stefano, then heading downwind to Talamone and returning to cross the finish line
under the Yacht Club Santo Stefano. The 12 meter class completed two races whereas Spirit
of Tradition three.
In the early morning, the Mayor of Porto Santo Stefano, Arturo Cerulli had greeted the skippers
and presented them with a gift from the Municipality to thank them for making the event such
a success year after year.
In the evening owners and crews dined at the Tenuta Agricola dell'Uccellina. after having
enjoyed Panerai Tent hospitality.
The stories and legends of all yachts taking part in Argentario Sailing Week can be found on
https://www.facebook.com/ArgentarioSailingWeek.
Racing at the International Regatta continues tomorrow, Saturday and finishes on Sunday,
June 22nd with the Prize giving Ceremony followed by a Farewell cocktail held at the Race
Village.
The fleet taking part in Argentario Sailing Week has been divided in five categories: Vintage,
Classic, Big Boats, Spirit of Tradition, Metric classes and One Designs. Officine Panerai will
award the top three in the Classic, Vintage, Big Boats and Spirit of Tradition categories and
the yacht that ranks first overall in the Classic, Vintage, Big Boat and Spirit of Tradition
categories.
The Classic Yachting event is organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano in partnership with
the Florentine haute horologerie brand Officine Panerai, which for the 10th consecutive year
is sponsoring the largest international circuit of regattas reserved for classic yachts.
The Argentario Sailing Week 2014 is organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano with the
patronage of the Region of Tuscany, the Province of Grosseto the Municipality and of AIVE
(Italian Association of Vintage Yachts). The local tourism board supports the event. Officine
Panerai is the Title Sponsor. Other sponsors: Argentario Approdi Spa and Tenuta Agricola
dell'Uccellina. Technical Sponsors: NYL FTS and Argentarola srl. Official Suppliers Roman's and
Garden Vivai Mediterranei. Weather forecast for the Race Area Consorzio LaMMA
The Argentario Sailing Week is part of the Mediterranean Circuit of the Panerai Classic
Yachts Challenge. The opening stage was Les Voiles d’Antibes (4-8 June). It is followed by the
Argentario Sailing Week in Porto Santo Stefano, Vele d’Epoca in Naples (2-6 July 2014), X
Copa del Rey de Barcos de Epoca in Mahon (26-30 August), the Vele D’Epoca d’Imperia (10-
14 September). The final event will take place in Cannes with the Régates Royales (23-27
September 2013).
Photo : James Robinson Taylor
www.jrtphoto.com/
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