The 25th Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy reached its second day of competition with new contests, important changes in the rankings and conditions once again favourable to sailing in the Gulf of Argentario, in Tuscany.
This Friday, 26 June, around 50 classic and vintage sailboats, from ten countries, returned to the water for a race marked by a steady westerly wind between 12 and 16 knots. The intensity was slightly higher than that recorded at the opening of the races and demanded even more physical fitness, tactical reading and precision from the crews.
The fleet pays tribute to Marco Borghi
The second day's briefing began with a tribute to Marco Borghi, a member of the crew of the sailboat Freya, who died suddenly after falling ill the previous day and being taken to the hospital in Grosseto. Representatives of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, the Organising Committee and the participating crews observed a minute of silence. As a show of respect and unity, the vessels also sailed with their flags at half-mast.
A technical course demands strategy and fitness
The start was held at 11 am. Given the stability of the wind direction, the Race Committee set two courses: most classes faced a route of 14.5 nautical miles, while the Cruiser category contested a shorter route of 9.9 miles. The main race had greater technical difficulty, with three long upwind stretches and successive tacks.
For Marco Poma, commodore of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano and director of maritime activities, the stability of the wind allowed a high-level competition, in which the technical qualities of the vessels and crews became evident.
Marilee wins a new duel between the "Fighting Forties"
One of the main moments of the day came in the Gaff Vintage category, with another clash between the historic New York 40 class sailboats. This time, victory went to the Marilee, of Alessandra Angelini, representing the Yacht Club Santo Stefano. The Chinook, of Paolo Zannoni, finished second, and the Rowdy, of Donna Dyer, third. The result took the Marilee to the provisional lead of the category.
Designed by Nathanael G. Herreshoff, the New York 40 sailboats were originally built for members of the New York Yacht Club. Known as the "Fighting Forties", they became a benchmark for their competitiveness. Of the 14 examples originally built, only a few remain sailing, three of them, Marilee, Chinook and Rowdy, gathered in this edition.
Winners of the second day
The winners of the eight categories in the second race were:
- Big Boats: Hallowe'en (2nd consecutive win, overall leader)
- Gaff Vintage: Marilee
- Marconi Vintage: Leonore
- Classic: Crivizza
- Classic IOR: Ojalà
- Cruiser: Star Sapphire (took the overall lead)
- Spirit of Tradition: Flight of Durgan
- Swan Classic: Lithian (took the overall lead)
The results were still provisional after the second day and could change in the following races.
Rowdy celebrates 110 years of history
On the second day, the historic highlight was the Rowdy, a sailboat turning 110 in 2026. Launched in 1916 and designed by Nathanael G. Herreshoff, it belongs to the historic New York 40 class. Its first owner was Holland Sackett Duell, then a senator for the state of New York. After a period of deterioration, the Rowdy was restored from 1998 and returned to major international competitions, achieving notable results in classic sailboat regattas in Europe.
In 2022, the Rowdy lost its mast during a storm with winds close to 40 knots in Imperia. After the incident, it went back to using a sail configuration close to the original of 1916. The vessel is 19.79 metres long and, more than a century after its launch, continues to take part in high-level competitions. Since 2013, it has belonged to Howard and Donna Dyer.
A commitment to protecting the sea
The second day's programme also included an exclusive visit by sailors and members of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano to the Palinuro training ship of the Italian Navy. During the activity, Marina Gridelli, a representative of Marevivo Toscana, handed the club president, Alessandro Maria Rinaldi, the environmental organisation's flag, raised aboard the Palinuro and, later, on the mast of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, a gesture that represented the shared commitment to environmental education and the protection of the seas.
Tradition passed down between generations
The culture of sailing also appears in the family ties present in the competition. Among the participants were Federico Passoni, sailing on the Leonore alongside his father, Enrico; Federico Colaninno, in the Chinook crew with his father, Nando; and Federico Piani, on the Marilee while his father, Mauro Piani, competed aboard the Leonore. The stories show how the knowledge of sailing and the passion for the sea continue to be passed on between generations.
The Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy continued with new races until Sunday, 28 June. Centenary vessels are not just on display in the Gulf of Argentario: they keep competing, crossing the finish line and writing new chapters of a history that remains alive at sea.
By: Redação Mundo Mar
Photo: Marco Solari e Valerio Pollio
