Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2011 : results
By MyWatch
The thirteenth Argentario Sailing Week, second fixture in the Mediterranean Circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2011, saw 25 vintage and classic yachts create a majestic spectacle in front of the small port of Porto Santo Stefano (Tuscany, Italy), closing with victories for Marjatta and Stella Polare in the Vintage and Classic categories respectively.
Participating yachts were divided into eight categories. The “Vintage 19 metres”, followed by the 1897 Javelin and the Navy’s 1897 yawl Caroly.
The Classics saw victory for Stella Polare – which also won the overall class prize – Mania I and Naif in the “Yachts >18 metres” “Yachts
The other Panerai prizes were awarded to the 55-metre schooner Elena for the Big Boat category and to the 15-metre Rorolima for the Spirit of Tradition. Elena, a faithful replica of a 1911 American schooner built in Spain in 2009, came fresh from a class victory at the regatta in Antigua and will be back racing in the Panerai circuit at the Régates Royales in September. A special prize went to 1935 cutter Manta for her regular participation in vintage yacht meetings in the Panerai circuit.
The vintage and classic boats took part in three races from 17 to 19 June; the first two on triangular courses with southeasterly winds between 10 and 20 knots, and the final race with a mistral reaching 22-25 knots. For the last race on Sunday, a 12-mile shoreline course, a buoy was positioned right in front of the town of Porto Santo Stefano, offering the many enthusiasts on the seafront the chance to admire the passing of these glorious boats that have made yachting history.
The Mediterranean Circuit challenge will continue from Mahon (Minorca, Spain) at the end of August, with the Copa del Rey, while the next fixture in the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge will be taking place in mid July on the Isle of Wight, with the Panerai British Classic Week (16-23 July).
