The majestic 40 Grandes Dames of the Sea from 8 nations – including 14 Debutantes – are ready to race in the not-to-be missed classic and vintage yacht regatta Argentario Sailing Week organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano and by the Municipality of Monte Argentario.
110 years of sailing history are docked at the old harbour of “La Pilarella” ready to cross bows in the pristine waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea with the Argentario, the islands of Giglio, Montecristo and Elba, and the ancient Roman harbor of Talamone as a stunning backdrop. Twelve beauties designed by Sparkman & Stephens, three designed by William Fife III, four by German Frers, two by Herreshoff, two by Hoek and yachts designed by Anker, Buchanan, Carcano, Dahlstrom, Dykstra, Gardner, Giles Jack Laurent, Giles Morgan, Holland. Liljiegren, Mylne, Nicholson, Paine Sangermani, Sciarrelli and Vallicelli will be on the starting line.
The fleet of Big Boats, Vintage, Classic, Classic IOR, Spirit of Tradition and S&S Swan Yachts will finally be able to enjoy – once again – 4 days of racing in one of the most breathtaking courses, renew old friendships created over the years and forge new ones from 14 to 18 June 2023. The history of each of the Classic Yachts and of their designers are available on social media channels of the regatta.
The provisional assignment of the Grandes Dames to their respective class, pending measurement and registration, is as follows:
Big Boats – This year, ASW veteran Hallowe’en (1926-Fife) will face stiff competition against Mariella (1938-Mylne), Tuiga (1909-Fife), Viveka (1929-Paine) and Orianda (1937-Dahlstrom), with two of them celebrating their debut at Argentario Sailing Week. What a sight to behold!
Classics – It’s the first time Lisa of La Tour designed by German Frers at the age of 16 (1958) owned by Massimo Cavallaro and Pilgrim (1971-Giles Jack Laurent) owned by Emanuele Della Vecchia race in Argentario Sailing Week. On the starting line they are up against Crivizza (1966-Buchanan), Galahad (1962-Giles Morgan), Optimista (1959-Sparkman & Stephens), St Christopher (1968-Sparkman & Stephens) and Voscia’-(1959-Sparkman & Stephens) owned by Giancarlo Lodigiani, the President of the Italiaan Classic Yacht Association AIVE.
Classic IOR – For the first time, at Argentario Sailing Week Classic IOR yachts will be storming the start line! Back racing in the Argentario Bay, Encounter (1976-Frers), Il Moro Di Venezia I (1975-Frers) and Ojala’ II (1973-Sparkman & Stephens). Making their debut in the regatta, Gemini (1983-Valicelli), owned by the Italian Navy-Marina Militare Italiana, Mania I-(1970-Sangermani), Matrero (1970-Frers) and Vanessa (1974-Carcano) owned by Patrizio Bertelli. Let’s go racing!
Vintage Marconi – The Aficionados return! Argyll (1948-Sparkman & Stephens), Barbara (1923-Nicholson) who celebrates her 100th birthday, Comet (1946-Sparkman & Stephens), Margaret (1925-Anker), Stormy Weather Of Cowes (1934-Sparkman & Stephens) and Varuna of 1939 (1939-Sparkman & Stephens). In Porto Santo Stefano for the first time, Baruna of 1938 (1938-Sparkman & Stephens) owned by Tara Getty, Orianda (1937-Dahlstrom) and Penelope (1965-Sparkman & Stephens).
Vintage Gaff Cutters – Back again Chinook (1916-Herreshoff), Marga (1910-Liljiegren C.O), Olympian (1913-Gardner), Spartan (1913-Herreshoff) and Viola (1908-Fife).
Spirit of Tradition – Welcome back to Albelimar III-(1977-Sciarrelli), Hanni II (2013-Hoek), Midva (1982-Holland), Tintagel (1994-Hoek) and Toi e Moi (2018-Dykstra Naval Architects).
S&S Swan – The Swan class, associated to the S&S Swan Association, also makes its debut at Argentario Sailing Week in 2023 with Dream (1976-Sparkman & Stephens) and Un Amour De Swan (1974-Sparkman & Stephens)
2023 ASW Program
Wednesday 14 June – Reserved for registration and measurement. In the evening, the Argentario Sailing Week welcome cocktail will take place at the Yacht Club Santo Stefano.
Thursday 15 June – The Mayor of Monte Argentario will greet all participants at 8.30 at the Town Hall before the Skippers’ briefing. Following the first scheduled regatta and the return to the Engel & Völkers aperitif (Engel & Völkers, Piazza dei Rioni)
Friday 16 June – Skipper briefing, followed by regattas. In the evening, the Spanish Fortress built in the 18th Century overlooking the Argentario Bay will provide a magical setting for the crew dinner organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano starting at 8 p.m.
Saturday 17 June – Skipper briefing at 9 a.m. Racing followed by Davide Besana presenting “Cento giorni nel Tirreno” and Wine tasting Morellino di Scansano Podere 414 (Race Village)
Sunday 18 June – 9.00 am skipper briefing, followed by racing. Prize Giving Ceremony 2022 at the Race Village (6 p.m.) followed by a Fair Winds Cocktail.
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.
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.
The Argentario Sailing Week 2023 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 and the Region of Tuscany concretely support the event.
