Two ‘offshore’ races were held by AIVE (the Italian Association for ‘Vele d’Epoca’ – classic yachts) last week to fill in the gap between the two Panerai events – Les Voiles d’Antibes and Argentario Sailing Week.
The first event, Régate Napoléon, took a fleet of a dozen or so classics 74 miles from La Spezia to Portoferraio, on the beautiful island of Elba. AIVE chose the inauspicious Friday 13th June as departure day(not inauspicious to Italians incidentally) so that we would slot in nicely with the Full Moon to light our route south. After a quick briefing in the morning, with some Napoleon stories included, we started off in light south-westerlies close reaching on 165°T. The fleet included a number of S&S designs, including Argyll, Tomahawk, Comet, Voscia and Corsaro II. Also present were Madifra(1965), Eilean, Ella(1960) and Capricia.
As the breeze slowly veered mizzen staysails were set, eventually joined by gennakers as the sun set over the horizon. We were in for a long night with light airs and on Eilean our speed descended to 0.3 knots as the breeze dropped out 15 miles from the finish line. We slowly clawed in the remaining miles and finally crossed the finish line taking line honours at 06.00 in the morning. 15 minutes behind, Argyll sauntered across to win the class on corrected time.
On Monday morning we had the 45-mile feeder race from Portoferraio – Porto Santo Stefano. Light conditions made the start hard work as we all had to fight against the swell and were tacking through 160° to keep some headway on. Luckily the breeze slowly increased to 5/6 knots and we were able to gain a bit more ground until we could bare away around the headland. Positions were chopping and changing constantly as we stretched out for the 40 mile downwind leg.. With the ominous presence of bellowing clouds running down the coastline we kept out to sea with our reduced crew compliment(only 6 on board when we usually race with 16). Eventually the storm-clouds moved offshore and we reduced sail quickly after seeing Tomahawk flying their spinnaker in kite-surf style! Unfortunately we retired shortly after to make it with time to spare for Argentario Sailing Week and the associated corporate program we have planned.
Now it’s all about 2015. Plan it in your Mediterranean itinerary, between Antibes and Porto Santo Stefano. It’s new, it’s different, could start from the lovely Porto Venere, and although we may not have the full moon I am sure the offshore sailing will be equally as entertaining.
Photos courtesy of James Robinson Taylor
