25th Sailing Week: 3,500 years of sailing history in the Gulf of Argentario

Sunshine over the Gulf of Argentario, at times gentle breezes, at times a strong westerly wind: the 25th edition of the Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy provided some of the most beautiful sailing images of the Mediterranean summer over the course of four days. Almost 50 yachts from ten countries and three continents transformed the waters off Porto Santo Stefano into a floating museum under sail – with a combined history totalling 3,478 years of boating and sailing.

Anniversary with title sponsorship and a new name

This classic regatta is organised by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano (YCSS), which was founded in 1960. The event is held under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Tourism, the Region of Tuscany, the Province of Grosseto and the Municipality of Monte Argentario.

Since this year, the regatta has been officially known as the Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy. The new title sponsor, Miramis, is an international hospitality company with hotels and restaurants in Tuscany and Sweden. “The Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy is a real benchmark for us in the sailing world and helps to establish Argentario as a destination for international events,” said Stefano Cuoco, CEO of Miramis, at the start of the event.

Eight classes, 50 yachts, four days of racing

The regatta was contested across eight classes: Big Boats, Gaff Vintage, Marconi Vintage, Classic, Classic IOR, Cruiser, Spirit of Tradition and Swan Classic. Commodore and Regatta Director Marco Poma led the jury in changing conditions – ranging from light winds of 4–5 knots on the third day to a steady westerly wind of between 12 and 16 knots on the second day of racing.

Day one began with the opening ceremony in the Monte Argentario Town Hall, after which the first races immediately delivered what the regatta is famous for: spectacular scenes of the prized yachts in the hustle and bustle of the start, on the starting line, and during close matches and rounding the buoys.

Three sister ships of the NY 40 class

The stars of the anniversary fleet were three yachts from the famous NY 40 class – designed by the ‘Wizard of Bristol’ Nathanael G. Herreshoff, who won six America’s Cup defences with his designs between 1893 and 1920. The 14 ‘Fighting Forties’ were built between 1916 and 1926 for members of the New York Yacht Club – only a few have survived to this day.

In Porto Santo Stefano, three of these rare sister ships competed against one another: the “Rowdy”, built in 1916; the “Chinook”, from the same year; and the “Marilee”, which was ten years younger.

Since losing her Bermuda rig during a 40-knot squall in Imperia in 2022, the “Rowdy” has once again been sailing under her original gaff rig. The “Marilee” can even choose to sail under two authentic Herreshoff rigs: either a gaff rig or a Bermuda rig. The “Chinook” has been sailing under its current name since the late 1920s and secured class victories at Argentario in 2014 and 2024.

The oldest participant is 130 years old

The age record is held by the 36-metre gaff ketch “Cariad”. Built in 1896 in Southampton by Summers & Payne, she made her racing debut at Cowes Week and won the Vasco da Gama Cup in Lisbon in 1898. After two name changes, a circumnavigation of the globe (1920–22) and several restorations – most recently a complete refurbishment in 2024 – she is now one of the flagships of the classic yacht circuit in the Mediterranean. Her current owner brought her to Porto Santo Stefano as a living symbol of British sailing tradition.

Special offers and tradition

In addition to the class wins, three special trophies will be awarded:

• Trofeo Voscià – Giancarlo Lodigiani: For the best yawl-rigged yacht – in memory of the President of the Italian Vintage Sailing Association, who passed away in 2024.
• Miramis Trophy: For the overall winner in the vintage classes.
• Sixters Trophy: For the best combined result achieved by two allied yachts in the Vintage category.
• Full list of results: racingrulesofsailing.org

From the Silver Sail to the world stage

The race attracts over 1,000 people every year – owners, crews, guests and enthusiasts. Its history began in 1992, when a handful of YCSS members launched the Vele d’Argento. The race adopted its current name in 1999 – and since then, what began as a local initiative has grown into an internationally renowned showcase for classic sailing in the Mediterranean.

More classics in YACHT classic

Are you interested in the world of classic yachts, traditional boatbuilding and the history of sailing? If so, read more about it in our special edition, YACHT classic.

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