Mariquita Book - mk2.5

ARGENTARIO SAILING WEEK
13 – 16 June 2013
After the drama of Antibes, Argentario Sailing Week nestled on
the Tuscan coast was the perfect antidote.
The second of the Panerai regattas is based
in the beautiful harbour town of Porto Santo
Stefano between Rome and Pisa. With light
winds, flat water and long courses, the regatta
was beautifully set up
for Mariquita, who
can struggle against
the schooners, such as
Mariette, in big seas
and high winds.
After such a positive
opening to the
regatta, the course on
the second day again
suited Mariquita: a
great start, followed by a 14 mile beat to a rock
west of Argentario, and then a 14 mile run
for home under spinnaker. Navigator Chris
Tibbs described the day, “We had a perfect
start. Having got tangled up with an Italian
boat that didn’t know the rules, we got clear
and enjoyed a good beat to the mark. Then
we had a beautiful long spinnaker run home.
Mariquita is at her best with the spinnaker
pole out, big balloon
spinnaker set, balancing
between speed
and course. In the
end it went very
well and gave us
first place.” In only
their second regatta
together, the new
owners and skipper
George Newman had
recorded their first race win.
With everything to play for, on the final day
Cambria managed the win after a delayed
start leaving Mariquita with a creditable
third for the regatta. Next stop Naples!
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