Sunday, June 16, 2013, saw the 14th edition of the Argentario Sailing Week, the second round on the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Mediterranean Circuit, come to an exceptionally successful end. The event was attended by a total number of 42 yachts, coming from six different nations: France, Germany, Spain, Great Britain, the United States and Italy. The yachts competed in three races on triangle courses in consistently calm waters, with sunny summery weather and breezes of 6 to 10 knots.
Classic Yachts Mariette of 1915, Javelin and Mariquita - Image by Panerai/Guido Cantini/seasee.com
The overall winners in the four main categories were the 1928 sailing yacht Cambria in the Big Boat, the 1915 Q-Class yacht Leonore in the Vintage, the 1971 sailing yacht Sagittarius in the Classic, doubling up on her win at the first round at Antibes, and, lastly, the little seven-metre gaff cutter, Wianno, in the Spirit of Tradition. Each of the aforementioned ladies took home a Panerai watch as her prize.
Luxury yachts Capricia, Stella Polare and Eilean - Image by Panerai/Guido Cantini/seasee.com
The yachts racing in the event staged in stunning bay off the Tuscan town by the locally-based Yacht Club Santo Stefano were split into further sub-classes also. Skylark of 1937, a yawl with round the world and Pacific voyages to her credit, won the Vintage – Over 15 Metres, while in the Vintage – Under 15 Metres category, victory went to Sirius, a 1937 American New York 32, of which just 20 examples were ever built worldwide.
Prize Giving - crew of the 1915 Q-Class yacht Leonore - Image by Panerai/Guido Cantini/seasee.com
With three wins out of three races, the top step on the Classic – Under 12 Metres podium went to Namib, a recently restored 1966 Sangermani. Il Moro di Venezia I, on the other hand, topped the Classic – Over 15 Metres standings ahead of the Italian Navy’s training vessels, Stella Polare and Capricia.
Santo Stefano Harbour in Italy - Image by Panerai/Guido Cantini/seasee.com
The lovely 1968 Britton Chance Jr. design, Tara, also made a very impressive Panerai Circuit debut in the International 5.5-Metre Class, taking six out of seven races, to triumph masterfully in her category on the dedicated course.
All in all, it was an unforgettable edition of the Argentario Sailing Week, an event that has re-established itself as one of the leading lights of the classic sailing calendar. The Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2013 Mediterranean Circuit next moves a little further south to Naples for Le Vele d’Epoca a Napoli, which makes its debut on the Officine Panerai-sponsored calendar between June 26th and 30th.
