25th Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy 2026

25th Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy 2026 – Day 2

by Joseph Sawyer 27 Jun 11:11 BST
24-28 June 2026

Perfect weather made for another scintillating day of close racing at the 25th Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy. Close to fifty classic and vintage yachts from ten countries returned to the unparalleled stage that is the Argentario Gulf.

Today began with a fitting and moving tribute to Marco Borghi, crew member of the yacht Freya, who passed away suddenly and tragically late yesterday afternoon following a sudden illness after being admitted to Grosseto Hospital. The Yacht Club Santo Stefano, the Organising Committee and representatives of all the crews taking part in the 25th Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy 2026 came together in his memory to observe a minute of silence during the briefing. Furthermore, the entire fleet flew their flags at half-mast on board as a gesture of respect and solidarity.

The fleet of close to 50 classic and vintage boats entered in the 25th Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy set sail at 11.00 am on Day 2, spread across eight classes: Big Boats, Gaff Vintage, Marconi Vintage, Classic, Classic IOR, Cruiser, Spirit of Tradition, and Swan Classic.

Day 2 of the Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy, in the words of Marco Poma, Commodore of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano and director of maritime activities: “The fleet took to the sea once again today to race in perfect weather conditions, with a steady westerly wind of between 12 and 16 knots, slightly stronger than during yesterday’s opening race. A preliminary analysis of the weather forecast consistently indicates a steady wind direction, enabling the Race Committee to set two courses: a longer one, common to most of the participating classes, and a shorter one reserved for the Cruising class. Both courses were particularly technical, featuring three long upwind legs, which showcased the crews’ tactical skills and the quality of their manoeuvres. With a theoretical length of 14.5 nautical miles – shorter than the previous day’s course but made more challenging by the greater number of tacks required – the race provided a spectacle of the highest calibre, putting tacticians and crews to the test both technically and physically.

Among the most spectacular moments of the day was the renewed rivalry between the yachts of the prestigious New York 40 class. Today’s victory went to Marilee, owned by Alessandra Angelini, a member of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, who delivered a commanding performance that confirms the fleet’s highly competitive standard. Once again, the Porto Santo Stefano racecourse demonstrated its extraordinary qualities, offering near-perfect conditions for offshore sailing and showcasing the technical calibre of the fleet competing in this 25th anniversary of the Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy.”

Today’s winners:

Big Boats: HALLOWE’EN (Inigo Strez); GAFF VINTAGE: MARILEE (Alessandra Angelini); SPIRIT OF TRADITION: FLIGHT OF DURGAN (David & Alexandra Grylls); CRUISER: STAR SAPPHIRE (Jacob Glatz); CLASSIC IOR: OJALA’ (Susan Carol Holland); CLASSIC: CRIVIZZA (Ariella Cattai); MARCONI VINTAGE: LEONORE (Mark Faulkner); SWAN CLASSIC: LITHIAN (Cattaneo -Mascheroni Stianti).

Overall standings after Day 2:

Big Boats: HALLOWE’EN (Inigo Strez) holds onto first place. VIVEKA (Keith Mills) holds onto second. MARIELLA (Carlo Falcone) enters the podium in third place.

Gaff Vintage: MARILEE (Alessandra Angelini) is now in first place. ROWDY (Donna Dyer) holds onto second. CHINOOK (Paolo Zannoni) holds onto third.

Spirit of Tradition: The top three remain the same, with FLIGHT OF DURGAN (David & Alexandra Grylls) in the lead, followed by FREYA (Luca Celeghini) in second place, and PARELTJE (Pieter Taselaar) in third.

Cruiser: STAR SAPPHIRE (Jacob Glatz) takes the lead, followed by EUGENIA V (Samanna Yachting) in second place, while VISTONA (Giovanni Battista Borea d’Olmo) remains in third.

Classic IOR: OJALA’ (Susan Carol Holland) remains at the top. AIRONE V (Giuseppe Albano) holds onto second place. SAGITTARIUS (Thierry Laffitte) in third.

Classic: Still top of the class is CRIVIZZA (Ariella Cattai), followed by the two Italian Navy contestants trading second and third places, with PENELOPE in second and CORSARO II now in third.

Marconi Vintage: First place is still held by LEONORE (Mark Faulkner) while new podium challengers claim second and third, respectively: JILL (Alessandro M. Rinaldi) and BOB KAT II (Cristiana Monina).

Swan Classic: LITHIAN (M. Cattaneo & F. Mascheroni Stianti) takes the lead, pushing MATCHLESS (Giacomo Bei) into second place, and GRAMPUS II (Matteo D’Agostino) remains in third palce.

Here are the complete overall standings

“Day 2 of the 25th Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy 2026 – stated Alessandro Maria Rinaldi, President of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano – started off with a moment of silence and solidarity with the Freya crew, who are grieving the sudden death of one of their own. Afterwards, the sea showed its best side. A strong, steady wind accompanied an exceptionally intense day of racing, transforming the racecourse into a spectacular display of rare beauty. In their symphony of sails, masts and sheets, the yachts resembled an orchestra from a bygone era, elegantly interpreting the music of the wind. The Argentario Gulf demonstrated just how suitable its waters are for sailing once again. Jill showed off all her power, alongside Bob Kat II and the other legendary yachts designed by Olin Stephens, producing moments that recreate the dynamic history of sailing and tell of these yachts’ timeless charm. Such an ideal day of yachting was also a silent tribute to the sailor who passed away, whose memory accompanied the fleet throughout the day.”

During today’s visit to the training ship Palinuro, organised exclusively for sailors and members of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, Marina Gridelli, a representative of Marevivo Toscana, presented Alessandro Maria Rinaldi, President of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, with the Marevivo flag – a symbol of the Club’s commitment to the values and initiatives promoted by the Association. The flag was then symbolically hoisted on board the training ship Palinuro and, subsequently, on the flagpole of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, as a tangible demonstration of the two organisations’ shared commitment to environmental education and the protection of the sea.

Spotted on the docks (Episode 2):

A few more familiar faces from the dockside: today we’re focusing on three sons who have followed in their fathers’ footsteps and look set to rival their fathers’ fame. The fathers are also all present and still battling it out at sea: Federico Passoni on LEONORE alongside his father Enrico; Federico Colaninno on board CHINOOK alongside his father Nando; and Federico Piani on MARILEE (with his father Mauro on LEONORE).

Happy birthday, Rowdy (110 years – Gaff cutter 19.79 m)

Renowned member of the NY 40 “Fighting Forties” class, Rowdy (1916) marks an important anniversary this year. The Argentario winner of 2017 turns 110 this year.

Designed by the legendary Nathanael G. Herreshoff, the NY 40s were built between 1916 and 1926 for members of the New York Yacht Club and were a century-defining force in competitive sailing, earning the name “Fighting Forties”. Of the original fourteen, only a small few are believed still to be sailing, with 2026 Argentario Sailing Week- Miramis Trophy racers Rowdy, Chinook and Marilee accounting for three.

Rowdy’s first owner was New York State Senator Holland Sackett Duell, whose family retained her for 25 years, until 1941. In 1998, she was rescued from deterioration and extensively restored by Christopher Madsen. She later passed to English owner Graham Walker and, in 2008, won her category in both the Mahon-Imperia race and the Vele d’Epoca regatta in Imperia. She also won the Vintage category of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge that year, repeating the achievement in 2010 and 2011, and claimed the Bailli de Suffren from Saint-Tropez to Malta in 2009 and 2010. Since 2013, Rowdy has belonged to Howard and Donna Dyer, who have continued to campaign her successfully.

After losing her 15-year-old Bermudan rig in a 40-knot squall at the 2022 Imperia Regatta, Rowdy returned to an almost original gaff rig, closely recalling her 1916 debut if not for reapplying Herreshoff’s own modifications penned shortly after her launch over a century ago.

A few specs: length 19,79 m, beam 4,40 m, draught 2,70 m, launched 1916, sail number NY 49.

69-metre tall ship Palinuro joins the 25th Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy.

What makes this 25th anniversary edition even more special is the arrival of Palinuro, an iconic piece of maritime history. The Italian Navy sailing ship, a symbol of the country’s seafaring tradition, dropped anchor yesterday, Wednesday 24 June, at the Garibaldi quay in Porto Santo Stefano, where she will remain until Sunday 28 June. Check out the Argentario Sailing Week schedule to see when Palinuro will be open for visits on board during the event.

The Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy 2026’s numbers confirm the regatta’s international scope: close to fifty yachts entering from ten countries across three continents, as well as a community of over 1,000 people – from owners to crews, guests, organisers and yachting enthusiasts – who will bring Monte Argentario to life during a week brimming with events and top-notch sailing.

One number stands head and shoulders above all others in highlighting the historical significance and prestige of the stellar fleet of Grandes Dames taking part in this year’s Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy: a sum total of almost 3,500 combined years of sailing and naval architecture history will be represented by the 50 exceptional vintage and classic yachts registered to race against the Gulf’s spectacular backdrop. While the event itself celebrates its first quarter of a century, this year’s line-up will take sailors and onlookers on a journey spanning well over a century, covering 130 years of maritime tradition: starting with Cariad, launched in 1896 and now celebrating her 130th anniversary, followed by Chinook and Rowdy, both celebrating their 110th anniversaries, and the three centenarians Hallowe’en, Margaret and Marilee.

The event will consist of four days of racing, from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 June. Following the crew briefing, the first warning signal will be given at 11.00 am on Thursday. The races will continue until Sunday, which will end with the award ceremony scheduled for 6.00 pm at the regatta village, located on the Pilarella jetty.

Special prizes

• The “Trofeo Voscià – Giancarlo Lodigiani” challenge trophy – inspired by the memory of the former President of the Italian Vintage Sailing Association who passed away in 2024 – is awarded to the Yawl-rigged yacht that achieves the highest score in the final standings;
• The Miramis Trophy is awarded to the overall winner in the Vintage classes;
• The Sixters Trophy is awarded jointly to the two yachts whose owners declare at the start of the event that they wish to compete together for the Trophy and who achieve the best combined results in the vintage sails category of the Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy. In the event of a tie, the trophy will go to the yacht in the category with the highest number of yachts registered and starting in the event.

The 25th edition of the Argentario Sailing Week – Miramis Trophy is organised with the support of title sponsor Miramis, official partners Jefferies and Nuncas Marine, institutional partner Banca Patrimoni Sella & C., and technical partners Helly Hansen, Cantiere Navale dell’Argentario and Verdissimo.

The event is organised by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, is held under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Tourism, the Region of Tuscany, the Province of Grosseto, the Italian Vintage Sailing Association, and the International Mediterranean Classic Yachting Committee, supported by the tangible contributions of the Municipality of Monte Argentario.