Historic sailboats – the season’s last italian regatta in Viareggio

The annual Gathering of Historic Sailboats returns to Viareggio for its 14th edition from October 18th through the 21st to celebrate the most important end-of-season Mediterranean regatta and gathering of vintage and classic sailboats. Among the highlights: more than 40 wood vessels and the presentation, after three stages, of the Artiglio 2018 Trophy. Also participating is a fleet of 5.50-meter international tonnage class boats (a former Olympics class created in 1949) as well as the Sangermani shipyard boats competing for the Trophy named for this famous shipbuilder who died this year.  Three regattas are scheduled.

HISTORIC SAILBOATS – THE LAST EVENT OF THE SEASON

For 14 years in a row dozens of vessels and hundreds of crew members have gathered in Viareggio for this end of season celebration of vintage and historic sailboats. On October 18-21, the VSV (Vele Storiche Viareggio) and the Versilia Nautical Club, with the collaboration of Coast Guard, have organized the 14^th edition of Viareggio Gathering of Historic Sailboats open to all vintage, classic, Spirit of Tradition, and metric classification yachts as well as vessels that adhere to the criteria of tradition and historical importance.  The AIVE (Associazione Italiana Vele d’Epoca/Italian Vintage Sailboat Association) is in charge of certifying tonnage and classifications for vessels wishing to race with a CIM (Comitato Internazionale del Mediterraneo/International Mediterranean Committee) Certificate.  The main sponsor of the event is the Florentine perfumery  Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella (www.smnovella.com), that dates back to 1612 and its recently acquired famous mineral water company Acqua San Carlo (www.acquasancarlo.it ).

VIAREGGIO – THE FINAL STAGE OF THE “1^st ARTIGLIO TROPHY”

After May at Marina di Carrara and September at Le Grazie di Portovenere, Viareggio is the third and last stage of the first edition of the Artiglio Trophy, dedicated to these splendid Ladies of the Sea.  The event is sponsored by Antonio Farigu’s Mediterranean Yacht Maintenance, specialists in maxi yacht and vintage boat motorization and installation and major dealer for nautical engines and accessories, together with  Cioni, Azimut Wealth Management, Cantiere Navale Francesco del Carlo, Tera Energy, Oriora. Technical sponsors include Europromo (personalized gadget and clothing), Picchiani & Barlacchi, Millenium Sails, specializing in the production of sails for classic sailboats, Locman, Excibus, RGB Cube, Sabatini Gin, Approdo Calafati, Rose Barni, Prosciutto Toscano and Caffe’ New York.  To register go to https://velestricheviareggio.org/iscrizione-imbarcazioni/ .

REGATTAS AND METRIC CLASSIFICATION

Three regattas are scheduled in Viareggio from Friday to Sunday, the award presentation day at the headquarters of the Versilia Nautical Club.  Participation in also open to vintage and classic boats racing without a CIM Certificate, boats not affiliated with Viareggio Historic Sailboats as well as others simply wishing to sail or compete against individual adversaries. Shipowners who wish to obtain a CIM Certificate can arrange for an appointment with AIVE president Piermaria Giusteschi Conti (cell +39- 348-3148532).  Scheduled to participate is a group of 5.5-meter international tonnage vessels (a former Olympics class created in 1949), that will compete in their own regatta.  Only about 800 of these boats were ever built. They are 9.50 meters long and have a 3-member crew.  The current Italian president is Count Fabrizio Cavazza of Rome and owner of the Volpina (1960).  Also scheduled to compete are several Austrian 6-meter international tonnage boats, among them the Onkel Adolph (1907) and the Margaux (1911). From Lake Maggiore and representing the Verbano Association of Vintage Sailboats is the Star (1907) a splendid gaff cutter.

VISITS TO RESTORATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Not only regattas, but more. Viareggio Historical Sailboats has always paired the regattas with a number of activities for visitors and crew members. Friday afternoon regatta participants can visit the restauration work being undertaken at the Viareggio shipyards, and then the Francesco Del Carlo shipyard will host the Saturday night dinner feast. Also, on Friday there will be a presentation by the French navigator Patrick Phelipon on his planned 2019 navigation from La Rochelle to Papeete along Bernard Moitessier’s route. On Saturday architect Piero Maria Gibellini, president of the Riva Historical Society and a sailing historian, will present his two volumes on the history of the Baglietto shipyards.  In addition, there will be an exhibition of watercolors by Emanuela Tenti of Genoa and photographs of vintage boats by Marco Trainotti of Viareggio. Throughout, Andrea Maggiori, known as “The Knot Man” will give demonstrations of maritime craftsmanship.  The attending public can visit the boats that have agreed to take part in the “Welcome Aboard” initiative. Anyone wishing to go to sea on the Artiglio motorsailer belonging to the Artiglio diving club to watch the competitions from up close should contact the Association via its website.

THE ADMIRAL CERRI AND SANGERMANI CHALLENGE TROPHIES

The Cerri Challenge Trophy dedicated to Admiral Florindo Cerri will be awarded to the first boat to sail around the buoy at Forte dei Marmi during the Friday October 19 regatta. For the fourth consecutive year the Sangermani Challenge Trophy for all vessels launched by the Sangermani shipyard and participating in the gathering will be awarded.  The trophy will be presented by Giacomo Sangermani, who has taken on the reins of the shipyard after the death last May of his father Cesare.